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Hanna Alkaf

The Weight of Our Sky

Hanna AlkafFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Hanna Alkaf

The Weight of Our Sky

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • 1960s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

830L

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Super Short Summary

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf is set in Kuala Lumpur during the 1969 race riots and follows Melati, a teenager with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as she navigates the chaos to find her mother. The novel delves into race, identity, mental health, and the importance of love and friendship amidst the violent, politically charged unrest. It includes graphic violence, depictions of mental health concerns, and discriminatory language.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Emotional

Challenging

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.4

5,566 ratings

83%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Hanna Alkaf's The Weight of Our Sky receives acclaim for its compelling portrayal of mental illness and historical events in 1969 Malaysia. Readers appreciate the emotional depth and rich cultural context. However, some critique the pacing and development of secondary characters. Overall, it delivers a powerful, empathetic narrative that resonates strongly.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Weight of Our Sky?

Fans of historical fiction with a strong, young female protagonist will find much to enjoy in Hanna Alkaf's The Weight of Our Sky. Comparable to The Book Thief and Under a Painted Sky, readers drawn to emotionally gripping narratives set against tense historical backdrops will be captivated.

4.4

5,566 ratings

83%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • 1960s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

830L

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