It is difficult to believe this book is a debut. Malay-Australian author Raidah Shah Idil brings Kuala Lumpur to vivid (humid!) life in this thrilling middle-grade adventure exploring themes of migration, family, and faith.
‘Mama has broken my world.’
When twelve-year-old, neurodivergent Insyirah moves from Sydney to Malaysia with her mum to care for her Nenek (Grandmother), it seems like her world has imploded. However, moving to a new country, house, and school in only the beginning – shortly after arriving, Insyirah learns that she has inherited a special ability from Nenek – she can see and talk to jinn (ancient jungle spirits living in a parallel realm).
Jinn hold a range of powers – from shapeshifting to possession – and as Insyirah learns more about her ability she must also navigate family secrets and an evil spirit which has set up residence under her school and is determined to enact revenge upon Insyirah and her family.
Amidst the page-turning high stakes are captivating descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells of Kuala Lumpur, as Insyirah experiences them as a new migrant. Idil’s descriptions of Insyirah’s delicious school lunches at her new school are reminiscent of Enid Blyton detailing every meal in The Famous Five and will delight anyone interested in good food!
And while Insyirah certainly experiences challenges moving to Malaysia, she also finds comfort being part of a majority Muslim society where it’s easier to practise her faith than it was in Sydney.
Idil says ‘I wanted to write a character who, like me, draws strength from her faith and family.’ As Insyirah encounters both dangerous situations and moral dilemmas, her faith helps her face these trials with courage. It’s refreshing to see a main character with an active spiritual life depicted in Australian literature and Insyirah is an utterly convincing, delightful protagonist.
Readers ten years and older who enjoyed Reece Carter’s ‘A Girl Named Corpse’ or Garth Nix’s ‘The Lefthanded Booksellers of London’ will devour How to Free a Jin. I hope to see more adventures with Insyirah in the future!
It is difficult to believe this book is a debut. Malay-Australian author Raidah Shah Idil brings Kuala Lumpur to vivid (humid!) life in this thrilling middle-grade adventure exploring themes of migration, family, and faith.
