Book Review of A Song of Her Own
The Children’s Book Review
A Song of Her Own
Written by Saida J. Bulhan
Ages: 6-9 | 112 Pages
Publisher: Iftin Ink (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1969922008
What to Expect: Cultural, coming-of-age, and finding your voice.
In A Song of Her Own, a young Somali nomad named Kiin searches for her own “core” and a unique story to tell during her family’s nightly bonfires.
Kiin lives with her family in the vast grasslands of Haud, following the rhythm of the rainy seasons to find green pastures for their livestock. At seven years old, she feels trapped in an awkward middle-childhood—too old to be carefree like her younger siblings, yet not old enough to be granted the responsibility of herding animals like her older brothers and sisters. While her family members share exciting tales of predators and travels around the evening fire, Kiin struggles to find a voice of her own. Her journey is one of patience and self-discovery as she learns from her mother about the udubdhexaad—the strong center pole of their home—and tries to find the equivalent strength within herself.
Saida J. Bulhan’s writing is rich with sensory details and cultural authenticity, effectively immersing the reader in the sights, sounds, and smells of nomadic life. Bulhan utilizes traditional Somali storytelling elements, such as the rhythmic “Haah! Haye?” encouragements, to create a unique narrative flow. Moka Celess’s black-and-white illustrations scattered throughout provide a welcome visual companion to the text, capturing the expressive nature of the characters from Kiin’s determined expressions to the playful antics of her younger siblings. Detailed depictions of the aqal (hut) and the surrounding acacia-dotted landscape help young readers visualize the specific setting of the Haud region. The art and words combined effectively highlight the story’s central themes of family, nature, and the beauty of Somali nomadic traditions.
A Song of Her Own is a heartwarming and culturally significant chapter book that explores the universal desire for belonging and maturity. It’s sure to be enjoyed by chapter book readers who appreciate stories about different cultures, family dynamics, and the power of finding one’s own voice.
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About the Author
Saida J. Bulhan was born and raised in a nomadic region of Somalia. She learned to read after immigrating to the United States as a teenager, an experience that sparked her lifelong passion for storytelling. She writes for children and adults, but her first love is children’s fiction. A Song of Her Own is her first chapter book.
For more information, visit https://www.saidajbulhan.com/
