RabaTEENS is a nurturing space for deep and meaningful Islamic spiritual mentorship with compassionate and caring mentors. We design fun, creative, and positive educational experiences to help teens grow confidently and comfortably into their faith.


Class Description


This is a class where students will explore the worlds of the books they read through art, discussion, and comparison to the real world. 

They will learn to identify and discuss social commentary. 

They will learn to critique various aspects of the works they read. 

They will learn the basics of literary criticism, which will help them engage on multiple levels with the works they read (deeper than “I loved it” or “It was a drag”). They will learn to identify why they loved or hated a book. 

Students will also learn to wonder and speculate about the author’s intent and to derive meaning from texts regardless of whether or not the author intended that particular thing. They will learn that this is part of what makes literature so vital to humanity. 

They will engage in Islamic criticism of the books they read and be exposed to ways they might make their own writing more Islamic without being didactic. 
 


Class Activity Materials

 Optional writing materials 

Required Books


Esperanza Rising 

Esperanza Rising is a young adult historical fiction novel written by Mexican-American author Pam Muñoz Ryan and released by Scholastic Press on 27 March 2000. 



When My Name Was Keoko 

When My Name Was Keoko is a 2002 Asian historic fiction novel written by Linda Sue Park. It was first published on March 18, 2002, through Clarion Books. The book is set in Korea during World War II, when Japan conquered Korea and was aiming to reform Korean culture. 



The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 is a historical-fiction novel by Christopher Paul Curtis. First published in 1995 by Delacorte Press, it was reprinted in 1997. 



Red Scarf Girl 

Red Scarf Girl is a historical memoir written by Ji-li Jiang about her experiences during the Cultural Revolution of China, with a foreword by David Henry Hwang.

Class Day & Time

Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00 pm CST 

Session dates: October 9th - November 6th 

This class is for teen girls ages 12-17 years old 

*Please note: Participants must attend Zoom live sessions. Classes are NOT recorded.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be given to students who complete the class.

Refund Policy

No refunds are issued once the session begins. 

Book Dragons

Meets once a week for one hour (5-week session)

Instructor

Anse Najiyah Maxfield

Anse Najiyah Maxfield serves as the Head of Publishing at Daybreak Press, Rabata’s non-profit publishing house. She brings to this role years of experience in editing for Discover: The Magazine for Curious Muslim Kids, as well as experience teaching English and history in the US and the Middle East. Anse Najiyah holds a Ribaat Teaching Certificate and a Dare to Lead Certificate. Anse Najiyah has authored many articles, poems, and short stories. Her young adult novel, “Sophia’s Journal”, is an award-winning time-travel adventure, for which Daybreak Press also produced a companion curriculum. Anse Najiyah serves as an instructor at the Ribaat Academic Institute in the areas of writing and public speaking and leads a Rabata halaqa. She also leads workshops and seminars on writing and developing your craft, as well as facilitating Project Lina workshops. Outside of teaching, writing, and publishing, Anse Najiyah can be found kayaking in the summer, crocheting in the winter, and playing “The Floor is Lava” with her delightful grandkids year-round.