Synopsis
Prairie Lotus is a book about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father's shop, and making at least one friend. Hanna, a half-Asian girl in a small town in America's heartland, lives in 1880. Hanna's adjustment to her new surroundings, and the townspeople's prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story.- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★★
- ★★★★★
- Why does Hanna empathize with the Sioux?
- What is the reservation system and what was it like at that time?
- How does Hanna show courage?
- How does Hanna use logic and wit to face difficult conversations or situations?
- Describe Hanna’s relationship with her father. While her father may have had a tough demeanor, she showed patience and respect toward him. Because of her patience, she grew to understand her father and was able to reach her goals with her father’s approval.
- How was Hanna’s mother very present in her life, despite her death? Recount the various times Hanna derives an immense amount of strength from wisdom her Mama had shared with her to help her through hardships.
- Reflect on the ways the school children mistreated Hanna. How was their behavior influenced by their parents? Are the children responsible for their behavior?
- Discuss this hadith with your child: “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” (Nawawi) How did Sam’s actions relate to this hadith? What about Miss Walters’s?
- Hanna’s mother reminds her, “For the person who is sour, do something sweet.” Can you think of an example from the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that relates to this?
- How do prejudice and discrimination in this story cause pain?
- Allah ﷻ has created diversity among people. How can we see beauty in our differences? Discuss this verse from the Quran: “We created you from a male and a female, and made you races and tribes, that you may know one another.…” (49:13).
Mindful Muslim Review
Stories enable us to experience our history and truly understand it. This historical fiction novel gives an alternative perspective of frontier life, one fraught with the prejudices toward non-whites. Hanna—a half-Chinese, half-white girl—just moved to the American frontier from the more diverse city of Los Angeles. At 14 years old, she wants to be given the same liberties that other children her age are afforded—an education, friendship, and acceptance. With the guiding voice of her late mother, she shows immense courage and resilience as she overcomes the prejudices and discrimination she faces. The powerfully written Author’s Note found in the back provides additional historical details and explains how this story was modeled after the “Little House” series but with a different point of view.
