Samira Surfs Book Review

Samira Surfs

Written by Rulchsanna Guidroz

Illustrated by Fahmida Azim

Bibliography

Guidroz, R. (2021). Samira surfs (A. Fahmida, Illus.). Kokila.

ISBN 9781984816207

Summary

Samira Surfs is the novel-in-verse, historical fiction story of Samira, a Rohingya refugee from Burma (the Rohingya prefer Burma to the current Myanmar because of the political implications for their people), currently living in the coastal area of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. According to Guidroz's Author's Note, the character Samira is inspired by Nasima Akter, the first Rohingya woman to surf in Cox's Bazar. As explained in her Author's Note, the Rohingya are Muslims who are not recognized as an ethnic group in their historically native home, Burma, which is mostly Buddhist. Because of government-sanctioned violence, many Rohingya fled to nearby Bangladesh. Life is dangerous for the refugees. They aren't allowed jobs or education and access to basic health care. Also included in the back matter is a Further Readings section with links to websites for the history of the Rohingya, journalist photos documenting their plight, and how to get involved in helping.

It is against this political, religious, and historical backdrop that the main character, Samira, begins her journey toward learning what kind of girl she wants to be. As a Rohingya, her ability to feed herself and her family is limited. To supplement her family's earnings, Samira sells boiled eggs to the tourists on Cox's beach, and she can only do this if she avoids Bangladeshi soldiers. As a Rohingya refugee and a Muslim girl, her educational options are limited. Her brother teaches her English, but only in secret. Her mother would not approve, neither would the authorities. Samira wants to try new things, but her mother wants her to stay safe. Her mother tells her, "'We survived/We are safe, and we can't throw away/ this second chance.'/ She is right./ 'No risk means no danger'" (155). Samira's heart and spirit, however, feel differently, "From what I can see,/ being safe and alive/ means having no freedom./ Is this the only way to live?" (158). Balancing all these conflicting narratives about who she should be, Samira learns to decide for herself, by doing what she really wants, learning to read and learning to surf, "In my hands is a jewel,/ a yellow surfboard/ bigger than Kahled's,/ perfect for me" (251).

Analysis

Samira Surfs is a great example of what a well-executed historical fiction can do. I had only heard the term "Rohingya" in the vaguest possible ways. I knew they were an ethnic group that existed, somewhere. I had no idea about their history, their origins, and their current political plight. While reading this book, I researched and read so many articles about the Rohingya and their crisis (including the websites mentioned in the back matter). I suspect anyone who reads this does the same. By writing this lovely, relatable, and approachable story about a girl who wants to help her family, make friends, learn to read English, and surf, Guidroz raises this humanitarian crisis into the consciousness of more people.

Guidroz creates this lovely, relatable, and approachable story through lyrical poetry. One of the themes in Samira's story is courage and confidence. Samira describes the violence that they faced in Burma with this visceral imagery, "Smoked curled around our throats,/ squeezing" (170). She describes the courage needed to face such violence and the racism and hardships they currently encounter with a  simile, "Courage is like a feather in an open palm:/ gone with the smallest puff./... I close my hand/ until my courage/ can brave any storm" (143).

Highlighted Poem

I chose this poem (212) because it is full of imagery, similes, and parallelism (I love parallelism) and reflects the joy Samira feels both about surfing and learning to read English (the reference to language).

A New Language

I am learning a fourth language:

the language of surf!

Rolling in my mouth,

curling around my tongue.

When I spit them out,

I'm sounding, talking, feeling

more and more

like a surfer.

Names for parts of the board

bring smiles, too.

Nose, tail, leash like it's a puppy.

Rails like it's a train on tracks.

Deck like it's a boat.

Fin like it's a fish.

And everything Khaled shares with me

is sealed in my mind.

This poem also reflects the strong relationship between Samira and her brother Kahled who teaches her how to read English, how to surf, and helps his family.

Use

After reading the Highlighted Poem, students will choose a sport, talent, or hobby that they enjoy, and create similes for a specific technique, equipment, or technical jargon associated with it.