The Loophole, a novel by Naz Kutub published in June, 2022, is a surprisingly original retelling of the Aladdin story with compelling characters who deal with issues like islamophobia and homophobia. Its protagonist, Sayyed, is an Indian Muslim teenager whose boyfriend left Los Angeles (and the North American continent) three months ago, to teach English in far-off countries. Sayyed works at a coffee shop with his friend, Dzakir, until the rich, powerful, and ever-drunk Reggie offers to grant him three wishes in exchange for his lunch. Once his father realizes that Sayyed is gay and has had a boyfriend behind his back for nearly two years, he kicks him out, and Sy uses his second of three wishes (as his first one was the standard $1 million) to find his ex-boyfriend, Farouk, and win him back with Reggie’s help. Over the course of the book, he and Reggie travel the world, break a few laws, and learn more about each other and themselves. Sayyed is a very interesting character, stuck between his love for his traditional family and his ex. He cares so much about his sister and his Umi, but his Baba makes it very hard for him to live his life comfortably. He wants to spend the rest of his days with Farouk, but his own fears hold him back. With every cab ride, flight, or adrenaline-fueled sprint, he has to choose between his past and his future, his love or his family, and whether or not he should give up hope entirely. Unfortunately, Sy is demonized by many, not just his father. As he wanders the world in search of Farouk, he realizes just how hard life is for people who are Muslim, South Asian, or Middle Eastern—not just in LA, but everywhere. He witnesses riots condemning people like him, faces government officials who see everyone who looks like him as a threat, and experiences internal doubts about what it means to be gay and Muslim. The plot is captivating, the characters are worth cheering for, and the ending blows readers away. If you enjoy fantasy novels with a twist, The Loophole should be on your reading list. The Loophole by Naz Kutub. Bloomsbury YA, 2022. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Young Bloggers
Letter to My Favorite Person on Earth
Dear Mom, I love you from the moon and back and words cannot describe how much I love you. You always have my back when I feel like falling over and you always encourage me to go on farther. You are my star, my streetlight, and my lamp. You make everything brighter and more hopeful. I’m always grateful that you are here to listen to my stories and give me advice. Days when I feel like giving up, you motivate me to take a step farther. I know you understand me the best and know how to make everything better. Love is an amazing thing, really. I’m able to trust you without second-guessing myself and I can express myself freely without feeling judged. I’m forever grateful for your guidance. Mom, you’re my best friend, supporter, companion, and soulmate. No one can ever replace the love you have for me and the faith I have in you. Through your help, I was able to grow from an immature little girl to the person I am now. I want to continue my journey with you forever. I’ll always support and love you just like how you do for me! I love you, my favorite person on earth, my best friend, my mom. Love, Lauren
Double Rainbow, an original song by Kathleen, 13
Kathleen · WerthDoubleRainbow.m4a Signs of rainbows today. And I wonder what the lyricists would say. For I’m wondering, What it could mean? Oh, do you and I know nothing? Been around just to love ‘em? I know I’d feel like we’ve seen? You’d say, Do you know about wishing on a double rainbow? I’d say, Well I know that they’re out to be seen. And you’d say, Do you think that when wishing on a double rainbow, Do you, you’ll think of me? I’ve been coming cross a rainy day with sunshine lately. But I wished. And I think I finally know what it means! To you, and me, the sky’s nothing. 2 colorful rays make it something. How I wish I wasn’t so blind and could see What makes them sing! And they’ll sing, Do you know about wishing on a double rainbow? And I’ll sing, Yes, I know that they’re meant to be seen. They’ll say, do you think that when wishing on a double rainbow, That you’ll think of think of me? Double rainbow They’ll say, Do you think, you’d think of me? Eh-Oh A double rainbow Oh, I know I’d think You’ll say, I know you’ll think of – Baby, you know, you make me think. I’d think of you. Baby, I’d think of— Oh and You know, when I see that double rainbow, I’d think of you.
