More Than a Theme Park: What Huda F Cares?" Taught My Students About Belonging (Middle School)

Christy Welch
17 hours ago
2 min read

Sometimes the most meaningful things we do in schools don’t come from a big program or a perfectly planned lesson. Sometimes they come from simply creating space.

This Ramadan, I wanted to create something small but intentional for a group of my students who were observing. What started as a simple idea, a book club, quickly became something much more.

Our Ramadan Affinity Book Club was designed to be a place where students could just be without having to explain their traditions, their schedules, or their experiences. There was an ease in the room. A sense of understanding that didn’t need words. And that’s exactly why Huda F Cares? was the perfect fit.

The Disney Connection (and Why It Matters)

In Huda F Cares?, there’s a family trip to Disney World, but it’s not really about the rides or the parks. It's about the relationships. Each sister spends intentional time with one another, navigating personality differences, identity, and what it means to belong within a family. The setting may be Disney, but the real story is about connection. And honestly? That felt very familiar. Because that’s what our book club became.

Not about the book itself, but about the relationships it created.

Why This Book Worked So Well

Thanks to a great recommendation from @wildleaflibrary we didn’t choose a book that felt heavy or overly “lesson-driven.” We chose something real.

Huda F Cares? is funny, honest, and completely relatable, especially for middle school students trying to figure out who they are and where they fit.

It allowed my students to:

See themselves in a story
Laugh at shared experiences
Talk about identity in a natural, low-pressure way

And maybe most importantly, it normalized their experiences instead of spotlighting them.

The SEL Behind the Magic

Just like so many Disney stories, the heart of this experience wasn’t about a perfect ending, it was about relationships.

This book club naturally supported:

Belonging – Students felt seen and understood
Identity Development – They connected with characters who reflected their experiences
Peer Connection – Conversations were authentic and student-led
Emotional Safety – The space felt comfortable, not performative

Why Affinity Spaces Matter

What made this experience especially meaningful was that students didn’t have to explain themselves. They were surrounded by peers who just got it.

When you pair that with a story like Huda F Cares? one that reflects the everyday life of a Muslim teen, it creates a space that feels both affirming and joyful.