(3) K-3 Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. Kanzi (the Arabic-speaking Egyptian girl whose potholed transition to life in America was portrayed in The Arabic Quilt) feels marginalized when her school's library is denuded of books that reflect the experiences and perspectives of underrepresented groups. Adult characters scaffold a discussion with the kids about the current book banning movement (some readers might find the school librarian's explanation for the bans simplistic). Kanzi proposes a school-wide protest-slash-bake-sale that sees her using her voice for change, raises money to buy books to donate to Little Free Libraries, gains local attention, and occasions a book ban reversal. Digital illustrations incorporating Arabic text add to the instructiveness of a story put into context by an author’s note.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(2) K-3 Wolf's photo-essay about an Egyptian Muslim family in Queens is marked by its natural juxtapositions of cultural particularities and neighborhood commonalities. The book gives attention to each of the three children in the Mahmoud family, ages eight, twelve, and thirteen, at school, at home, and with friends. The tone is low-key but optimistic; the large, mostly full-page color photos seem like those taken by a welcomed visitor.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2003