From award-winning young adult author Amra Pajalic comes a #ownvoices, found family, coming of age YA novel for fans of Melina Marchetta and John Green.
Sabiha and her mother Bahra are more than mother and daughter, they’re best friends. It’s been them against the world, with Sabiha being her mother’s carer and confidante during her periodic bipolar breakdowns. When their extended family comes to Australia, Bahra becomes a Born-Again-Muslim to impress them, and expects Sabiha to step in line as the perfect daughter. Can Sabiha play the part of the good daughter so that her mentally ill mother is accepted back into the Bosnian community? Sabiha’s Dilemma is the first in the Sassy Saints Series for fans of fake friendships, love triangles, loners and outcasts who are searching for belonging, and fierce and funny girls. ‘Sabiha's Dilemma is a ‘raw and honest story about duty and the desire to run free. A strong voice in Australian fiction.’ MELINA MARCHETTA ‘Rewarding, poignant and occasionally chuckle-out-loud funny,’ Books Buzz. Published by Pishukin Press Previously published as The Good Daughter by Text Publishing. The Good Daughter won the 2009 Melbourne Prize for Literature’s Civic Choice Award. It was also a finalist in the 2009 Melbourne Prize for Literature Best Writing Award and was shortlisted in the 2007 Victorian Premier’s Awards for Best Unpublished Manuscript by an Emerging Writer. Bonus content available for newsletter subscribers only on a members only page. Please be aware that trigger warnings could contain spoilers and so I have included them on my themes page For publicity information please view Sabiha's Dilemma Media Kit |
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Sabiha's Dilemma audiobook narrated by Nina Nikolic
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Listen to chapter 1 of Sabiha's Dilemma by Amra Pajalic, of AI narrated audiobook by Charlotte from Google.
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Teaching notes
Teaching notes to support secondary school learning with a resource kit that contains:
- Praise
- Synopsis of stories
- Author statement
- Author information
- Pre-reading activities
- Reading activities
- Theme analysis activities
- Writing, research, debate and drama activities
Reviews
@curlingupwithacoffeeandakindle
The plot moves along smoothly, it is ideal for a teen or YA audience as Sabiha tries to find her way in Australian society and takes the reader along for the journey. Nikolic has a wonderful voice, perfectly suited to audiobooks, and particularly this one. I would happily listen to more Pajalic books, and especially if narrated by Nikolic.
@janeinsd
This is a touching coming of age story and deals with serious subjects such as religion, culture, mental illness, growing up and finding your place in the world. It is well-written and the story flowed smoothly. I liked learning more about the Bosnian culture and traditions, as well as the Muslim religion. The information was integrated seamlessly into the story without sounding like a lecture or an educational pamphlet. I could relate to Sabiha's teenage struggles and think this would be a good book for teens and young adults to read. I listened to this book and the narrator did a fantastic job.
@secretrhs05
This is a sweet, cute, and amazing read! Perfect for teenagers. I love learning more about Bosnian Culture through this book! Sabiha's Dilemma is the first book of Sassy Saints series which I could not wait for the rest to be released!!!
@bookqueenbee
This book is wonderful! The narrator, Nina Nikolic, was amazing and really had me all in! YA books aren’t always my favorite but this one had me interested from the synopsis! I really loved that you get to see Bahra’s mental illness from her daughters point of view!!! I love how you see the difficulties of a young life and how it’s handled and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Bosnian and Muslim cultures!!!
@heidiandherbooks
Many aspects of this book appealed to me, including the representation of mental illness and the diverse cast of characters. It's a proper young adult coming-of-age novel, with themes of friendships, loss, relationships, self-discovery, and family that are both informative and relatable.
@onemorechapter_03
I just love the diversity and unique plot to this book. I definitely recommend Sabiha's Dilema, whether you are looking for a diverse read, a great audio book or a high quality YA novel this is the book for you! The characters are really likeable and the different representations of people are perfect and so interesting!
@piggindani_reads
The brilliance of Sabiha’s Dilemma is how relatable it is In highlighting the struggles and issues that teens are facing today.
Mental health is something I connect with, so books (for kids) that talk about it openly are invaluable, but what’s great about this book is that it gives the reader an insight into what it can be like when being the child of a parent with a mental health diagnosis.
As well as mental health awareness, it deals with other prominent topics such as peer pressure and sexuality.
I loved being able to sit back, relax and let the narrator, Nina Nikolic, take me in Sabiha’s life.
On an unrelated note, Sabiha is a beautiful name, and I loved learning about Bosnian/Muslim culture.
@chaptersofvicki
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the narration Nina Nikolic did a great job bringing the story to life.
This is a great coming of age story along with one about fitting in a community. Also losing friendships and making new ones with first crushes and unrequited love.
I hope there will be another book I’d love to hear more about Sabiha and her friends.
@erin_lea_
With an authentic teenage voice, Sabiha doesn’t present as an overly likeable main character but it is in that where this book is best.
Dealing with issues of religion, gender, and mental health from the teenage perspective, their effects are subtly and realistically conveyed as Sabiha adjusts to the world around her. While some of this led to uncomfortable chapters, its message is clear and the relationships between the characters make for an interesting read.
@livinginmyownprivatelibrary
🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was a compelling and emotional story. Sabiha's journey in this story is a raw and honest portrayal of life within a family spanning generations with different viewpoints while also being a teenager heading into adulthood and trying to figure out what they want for their future. As I listened to the audiobook, I found the narration perfectly brought out the emotional and angst-filled moments.
@middlegradebooks This was an entertaining coming-of-age novel by @amrapajalicauthor that followed Bosnian Australian Muslim teen, Sabiha, and her host of friends and family living in Australia after the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. She finds there's a lot to learn about her culture and the traumatic history of her family and people. At the same time, she has the usual teenager concerns with negotiating friendships which come and go, potential romantic interests, school, bullying, and assignments. And on top of everything she needs to manage her relationship with her mother who suffers from bipolar disorder.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sabiha's irreverent voice. She has to juggle a multitude of heavy topics yet her sassiness and sense of humour always shines through. The author has done an amazing job at capturing the teenage spirit, all the highs and lows and confusion around being a teenager in a complex world. She especially captures the voice of the child of migrants who have the additional stress of discovering who they are when they are faced with so many different identities vying for attention.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
tealeavesandbookleaves.blogspot.com
I did enjoy reading and listening to Sabiha's dilemma and the narrator Nina Nikolic was really nice to listen to and her voice was engaging . Great story and plot and I liked the character Sabina and I did feel sorry for her because of her struggles she has but it was nice to see her develop through the book. This is a very emotional due to Sabiha having to look after her mum and grandad because mum has biopolar and this is a lot for 16 years old plus she gas her own struggles. I cant wait for book two. I really enjoyed it 5 stars
https://denisenewtonwrites.com/?p=3868
'With Amra Pajalić’s Sabiha’s Dilemma and Alma’s Loyalty, readers get an added bonus. She draws on her Bosnian cultural heritage to write ‘own voices’ stories that will resonate with young people navigating the spaces between culture, religion, tradition, family and friends.'
Sabiha and Alma’s stories are narrated in first person, so we experience events and people through their eyes, while also seeing the interconnections between the characters. They are both teenagers from Bosnian Muslim families, and the novels allow readers to learn more about their cultural and political backgrounds.
Both girls experience the awfulness of broken friendships and betrayal, which can be devastating at a time of life when friendships and peers are so important.
And of course, there is the age-old tension between boys and girls, who are trying to work out how to behave as the young men and women they are rapidly becoming.
The novels explore the ways in which teens find and use ways to avoid, erase, or deal with the challenges of growing up:
I wanted to be someone else and forget about all the things that were bringing me down, and Alex did that. He made me feel good… He’d become my port in the storm, the one place I didn’t have to worry about secret subtexts or hidden agendas.
Alma’s Loyalty p186
@chaiwithbooks
This was an interesting, coming of age story about Sabiha, and her struggles with trying to get accepted by the Bosnian community in Australia. I loved learning more about the Yugoslav Wars, and how it affected a lot of Bosnians, which helped understand the behaviour and mindset of some of the characters. Altogether an insightful listen!
@fiction_vixen18
I listened to this in audiobook and I absolutely adored it. The book is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. I found the story to be heartbreaking at times especially when we found out what Sabiha - who I admit I really didn't like at first but I loved her at the end - was going through having to care for her Mother who had mental health issues and then her Grandfather whilst also having to deal with being a teenager and the angst that comes with that, school and trying to fit in.
By far one of the best things for me was the narrator of this book who I could listen to all day long she had such a calming tone and soothing voice, a great choice for this read.
This was a fantastic listen with an emotive feel that really made me remember how hard it was being a teenager and yet I didn't have Sabiha's homelife or cultural issues to deal with either.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
‘... would be excellent for class study as it concerns matters of modern Australian multiculturalism, the question of belonging and issues of identity. ’ FICTION FOCUS
‘... a candid, insightful story and a realistic portrayal of a teenager in crisis.’ MAGPIES
‘A funny and challenging debut novel that has been described as the Bosnian answer to Looking for Ali Brandi. Is a gritty and enjoyable novel, at times unflinching and dramatic.’ CANBERRA TIMES
‘... debut novel from new Melbourne author Amra Pajalic and it’s one you won’t want to miss! It’s a funny and honest story about Sahiba, a teen girl growing up in Melbourne’s western suburbs who’s trying to deal with family traditions and her own desire to do what she wants. (5 stars).’ GIRLFRIEND MAGAZINE
‘Amra Pajalic writes with such honesty every young adult will empathise with her… While dealing with some ordinary “stuff” Pajalic’s observations are sincere and often hilarious.’ BENDIGO ADVERTISER
‘This multi-cultural story is frustrating, funny and sad with an ending that promises there is still much more to tell about Sabiha’s life. I hope so. Loved it. Want more!‘ THE READING STACK
‘Insightful… A spirited debut novel.’ HERALD SUN
‘Written with a light and comic touch… Pajalic brings a fresh voice to Australian Young Adult fiction through a funny, endearing, tough and ultimately resilient, first-person narrator.’ VIEWPOINT
‘Rewarding, poignant and occasionally chuckle-out-loud funny.’ BOOKS BUZZ
‘A raw and honest story about duty and the desire to run free. A strong new voice in Australian fiction.’
MELINA MARCHETTA
‘I love Sabiha's Dilemma It had me in stitches. Hilarious, poignant, gutsy and real.’ RANDA ABDEL-FATTAH
‘Funny, sharp and insightful.’ SIMMONE HOWELL
'Amra Pajalic’s portrayal of what it means to be a teen growing up in Australia and caught between two cultures is spot on! There were times where I was sure she must have read my journals from my own youth. Told with honesty, tenderness, simplicity, wit and subtle wisdom, it’s one of the stand out young adult novels I have read in many years and my own teen loved it too.' TESS WOODS
The plot moves along smoothly, it is ideal for a teen or YA audience as Sabiha tries to find her way in Australian society and takes the reader along for the journey. Nikolic has a wonderful voice, perfectly suited to audiobooks, and particularly this one. I would happily listen to more Pajalic books, and especially if narrated by Nikolic.
@janeinsd
This is a touching coming of age story and deals with serious subjects such as religion, culture, mental illness, growing up and finding your place in the world. It is well-written and the story flowed smoothly. I liked learning more about the Bosnian culture and traditions, as well as the Muslim religion. The information was integrated seamlessly into the story without sounding like a lecture or an educational pamphlet. I could relate to Sabiha's teenage struggles and think this would be a good book for teens and young adults to read. I listened to this book and the narrator did a fantastic job.
@secretrhs05
This is a sweet, cute, and amazing read! Perfect for teenagers. I love learning more about Bosnian Culture through this book! Sabiha's Dilemma is the first book of Sassy Saints series which I could not wait for the rest to be released!!!
@bookqueenbee
This book is wonderful! The narrator, Nina Nikolic, was amazing and really had me all in! YA books aren’t always my favorite but this one had me interested from the synopsis! I really loved that you get to see Bahra’s mental illness from her daughters point of view!!! I love how you see the difficulties of a young life and how it’s handled and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Bosnian and Muslim cultures!!!
@heidiandherbooks
Many aspects of this book appealed to me, including the representation of mental illness and the diverse cast of characters. It's a proper young adult coming-of-age novel, with themes of friendships, loss, relationships, self-discovery, and family that are both informative and relatable.
@onemorechapter_03
I just love the diversity and unique plot to this book. I definitely recommend Sabiha's Dilema, whether you are looking for a diverse read, a great audio book or a high quality YA novel this is the book for you! The characters are really likeable and the different representations of people are perfect and so interesting!
@piggindani_reads
The brilliance of Sabiha’s Dilemma is how relatable it is In highlighting the struggles and issues that teens are facing today.
Mental health is something I connect with, so books (for kids) that talk about it openly are invaluable, but what’s great about this book is that it gives the reader an insight into what it can be like when being the child of a parent with a mental health diagnosis.
As well as mental health awareness, it deals with other prominent topics such as peer pressure and sexuality.
I loved being able to sit back, relax and let the narrator, Nina Nikolic, take me in Sabiha’s life.
On an unrelated note, Sabiha is a beautiful name, and I loved learning about Bosnian/Muslim culture.
@chaptersofvicki
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the narration Nina Nikolic did a great job bringing the story to life.
This is a great coming of age story along with one about fitting in a community. Also losing friendships and making new ones with first crushes and unrequited love.
I hope there will be another book I’d love to hear more about Sabiha and her friends.
@erin_lea_
With an authentic teenage voice, Sabiha doesn’t present as an overly likeable main character but it is in that where this book is best.
Dealing with issues of religion, gender, and mental health from the teenage perspective, their effects are subtly and realistically conveyed as Sabiha adjusts to the world around her. While some of this led to uncomfortable chapters, its message is clear and the relationships between the characters make for an interesting read.
@livinginmyownprivatelibrary
🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was a compelling and emotional story. Sabiha's journey in this story is a raw and honest portrayal of life within a family spanning generations with different viewpoints while also being a teenager heading into adulthood and trying to figure out what they want for their future. As I listened to the audiobook, I found the narration perfectly brought out the emotional and angst-filled moments.
@middlegradebooks This was an entertaining coming-of-age novel by @amrapajalicauthor that followed Bosnian Australian Muslim teen, Sabiha, and her host of friends and family living in Australia after the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. She finds there's a lot to learn about her culture and the traumatic history of her family and people. At the same time, she has the usual teenager concerns with negotiating friendships which come and go, potential romantic interests, school, bullying, and assignments. And on top of everything she needs to manage her relationship with her mother who suffers from bipolar disorder.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sabiha's irreverent voice. She has to juggle a multitude of heavy topics yet her sassiness and sense of humour always shines through. The author has done an amazing job at capturing the teenage spirit, all the highs and lows and confusion around being a teenager in a complex world. She especially captures the voice of the child of migrants who have the additional stress of discovering who they are when they are faced with so many different identities vying for attention.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
tealeavesandbookleaves.blogspot.com
I did enjoy reading and listening to Sabiha's dilemma and the narrator Nina Nikolic was really nice to listen to and her voice was engaging . Great story and plot and I liked the character Sabina and I did feel sorry for her because of her struggles she has but it was nice to see her develop through the book. This is a very emotional due to Sabiha having to look after her mum and grandad because mum has biopolar and this is a lot for 16 years old plus she gas her own struggles. I cant wait for book two. I really enjoyed it 5 stars
https://denisenewtonwrites.com/?p=3868
'With Amra Pajalić’s Sabiha’s Dilemma and Alma’s Loyalty, readers get an added bonus. She draws on her Bosnian cultural heritage to write ‘own voices’ stories that will resonate with young people navigating the spaces between culture, religion, tradition, family and friends.'
Sabiha and Alma’s stories are narrated in first person, so we experience events and people through their eyes, while also seeing the interconnections between the characters. They are both teenagers from Bosnian Muslim families, and the novels allow readers to learn more about their cultural and political backgrounds.
Both girls experience the awfulness of broken friendships and betrayal, which can be devastating at a time of life when friendships and peers are so important.
And of course, there is the age-old tension between boys and girls, who are trying to work out how to behave as the young men and women they are rapidly becoming.
The novels explore the ways in which teens find and use ways to avoid, erase, or deal with the challenges of growing up:
I wanted to be someone else and forget about all the things that were bringing me down, and Alex did that. He made me feel good… He’d become my port in the storm, the one place I didn’t have to worry about secret subtexts or hidden agendas.
Alma’s Loyalty p186
@chaiwithbooks
This was an interesting, coming of age story about Sabiha, and her struggles with trying to get accepted by the Bosnian community in Australia. I loved learning more about the Yugoslav Wars, and how it affected a lot of Bosnians, which helped understand the behaviour and mindset of some of the characters. Altogether an insightful listen!
@fiction_vixen18
I listened to this in audiobook and I absolutely adored it. The book is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. I found the story to be heartbreaking at times especially when we found out what Sabiha - who I admit I really didn't like at first but I loved her at the end - was going through having to care for her Mother who had mental health issues and then her Grandfather whilst also having to deal with being a teenager and the angst that comes with that, school and trying to fit in.
By far one of the best things for me was the narrator of this book who I could listen to all day long she had such a calming tone and soothing voice, a great choice for this read.
This was a fantastic listen with an emotive feel that really made me remember how hard it was being a teenager and yet I didn't have Sabiha's homelife or cultural issues to deal with either.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
‘... would be excellent for class study as it concerns matters of modern Australian multiculturalism, the question of belonging and issues of identity. ’ FICTION FOCUS
‘... a candid, insightful story and a realistic portrayal of a teenager in crisis.’ MAGPIES
‘A funny and challenging debut novel that has been described as the Bosnian answer to Looking for Ali Brandi. Is a gritty and enjoyable novel, at times unflinching and dramatic.’ CANBERRA TIMES
‘... debut novel from new Melbourne author Amra Pajalic and it’s one you won’t want to miss! It’s a funny and honest story about Sahiba, a teen girl growing up in Melbourne’s western suburbs who’s trying to deal with family traditions and her own desire to do what she wants. (5 stars).’ GIRLFRIEND MAGAZINE
‘Amra Pajalic writes with such honesty every young adult will empathise with her… While dealing with some ordinary “stuff” Pajalic’s observations are sincere and often hilarious.’ BENDIGO ADVERTISER
‘This multi-cultural story is frustrating, funny and sad with an ending that promises there is still much more to tell about Sabiha’s life. I hope so. Loved it. Want more!‘ THE READING STACK
‘Insightful… A spirited debut novel.’ HERALD SUN
‘Written with a light and comic touch… Pajalic brings a fresh voice to Australian Young Adult fiction through a funny, endearing, tough and ultimately resilient, first-person narrator.’ VIEWPOINT
‘Rewarding, poignant and occasionally chuckle-out-loud funny.’ BOOKS BUZZ
‘A raw and honest story about duty and the desire to run free. A strong new voice in Australian fiction.’
MELINA MARCHETTA
‘I love Sabiha's Dilemma It had me in stitches. Hilarious, poignant, gutsy and real.’ RANDA ABDEL-FATTAH
‘Funny, sharp and insightful.’ SIMMONE HOWELL
'Amra Pajalic’s portrayal of what it means to be a teen growing up in Australia and caught between two cultures is spot on! There were times where I was sure she must have read my journals from my own youth. Told with honesty, tenderness, simplicity, wit and subtle wisdom, it’s one of the stand out young adult novels I have read in many years and my own teen loved it too.' TESS WOODS