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

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick 


Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick is a heartwarming story about the unlikely friendship between two boys, Max and Kevin, who together become Freak the Mighty. Two boys – a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and a tiny Einstein in leg braces – forge a unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force. A wonderful story of triumph over imperfection, shame, and loss. 


Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan 


Inspired by the true story of how the Grand Mosque of Paris saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II, Hiba Noor Khan weaves a breathtaking tale of suspense, compassion, and courage, starring an extraordinary young heroine readers will never forget. 




Students will choose another book to read together in their first class. 

Class Day & Time

Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00 pm CST 

Session dates: January 15th - February 12th 

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

*Please note: Enrollment into the RabaTEENS program is on a per-student basis. If two (or more) students are planning to attend a class together by sharing a screen, each student will need to enroll for class individually. Students 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.