Silk Rhode Award Winner - 2023

In The Weight of Our Sky, Hanna Alkaf transports us to 1969 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a city ablaze with racial tension between Malay and Chinese communities. At the center of this tumult is Melati Ahmad, a Beatles-loving teenager grappling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) against the wartorn backdrop of her home country.  Melati’s OCD - which she believes to be proof of a djinni (or magical spirit from Persian folklore and, coincidentally, supporting character in Silk Rhode Books’ own Across the Sun saga) that’s taken up residence in her body - is characterized by distressing thoughts and compulsive behaviors increasing and mirroring the chaos erupting in her city.

Alkaf's empathetic yet unflinching narrative lens helps readers understand Melati and her OCD without defaulting to stereotypes and oversimplicity. In doing so, The Weight of Our Sky transcends the simple “coming-of-age” story, becoming a poignant exploration of personal and societal turmoil, weaving together themes of mental health, cultural identity, and the complexities of young love in times of conflict.

A pivotal aspect of Melati's journey is her relationship with Vince, a Chinese boy, set against the backdrop of the Malay-Chinese riots. Their growing connection is a counterpoint to the animosity surrounding them. We see this relationship challenge Melati’s preconceived notions about identity and prejudice. 

Alkaf uses Melati and Vince’s friendship to deftly explore the conflict between ingrained societal beliefs and the transformative power of empathy and understanding. Their bond is a small but significant rebellion against the narrative of hate that permeates the cultural conversation and reminds us that our shared humanity can help build connections, even in the darkest times.

Alkaf’s narrative is deeply rooted in Malaysian culture and history, with the author’s vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and flavors of Melati’s city providing a sensory immersion within a place and time far removed from the typical Western-centric narratives in young adult fiction. By exploring the riots of 1969 from the perspective of the young adults caught in its chaos, readers worldwide can experience an accessible vantage point - one of few - introductions to Malaysian culture and this aspect of world history.

By representing the complexities of Malaysian society, Alkaf's voice adds a much-needed perspective to YA literature and highlights the importance of Southeast Asian narratives. Her approach to discussing mental health within a specific cultural context also broadens the conversation about how it’s understood and treated in different cultures. By intertwining Melati's mental health journey with historical events, the novel underscores the universality of human experiences.

The Weight of Our Sky is a remarkable blend of history, culture, and personal narrative. Hanna Alkaf has crafted a story that is as educational as it is emotionally resonant, transcending the boundaries of typical historical young adult fiction and achieving a sort of trifecta fitting for the Silkies: a heartrending yet hopeful tale that resonates as a historical account, a cultural exploration, and a deeply personal story of struggle and triumph.