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4-6
In a Little Women-inspired novel, thirteen-year-old Jameela lives with her Muslim family in Atlanta. This Eid holiday their beloved father is away; a (good-looking) nephew of a family friend visits; and Jameela butts heads with her school newspaper's editor, who never approves her hard-hitting pitches. Then her sister is diagnosed with cancer, and Jameela must reevaluate her priorities. This modern-day Pakistani American family-story retains the charm, familial warmth, and appeal of Alcott's classic.
Reviewer:
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2019
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1-3
Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream series.
Illustrated by
Sally Wern Comport.
In these chapter books, pint-sized fourth grader Zayd Saleem chases his dream of playing basketball: making the team (Forward), winning a game (Point), and coping after an injury (Back). In upbeat, humorous, and engaging first-person narration, Zayd confronts challenges on the court and with his friends and Pakistani American family. Well-developed secondary characters, rich cultural content, and occasional black-and-white drawings round out the series. Review covers these Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream titles: Bounce Back, On Point, and Power Forward.
126 pp.
| Simon/Salaam
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-1198-2$16.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5344-1199-9$6.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-1200-2
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1-3
Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream series.
Illustrated by
Sally Wern Comport.
In these chapter books, pint-sized fourth grader Zayd Saleem chases his dream of playing basketball: making the team (Forward), winning a game (Point), and coping after an injury (Back). In upbeat, humorous, and engaging first-person narration, Zayd confronts challenges on the court and with his friends and Pakistani American family. Well-developed secondary characters, rich cultural content, and occasional black-and-white drawings round out the series. Review covers these Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream titles: Bounce Back, On Point, and Power Forward.
130 pp.
| Simon/Salaam
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-1202-6$16.99
|
PaperISBN 978-1-5344-1201-9$6.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-1203-3
(3)
1-3
Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream series.
Illustrated by
Sally Wern Comport.
In these chapter books, pint-sized fourth grader Zayd Saleem chases his dream of playing basketball: making the team (Forward), winning a game (Point), and coping after an injury (Back). In upbeat, humorous, and engaging first-person narration, Zayd confronts challenges on the court and with his friends and Pakistani American family. Well-developed secondary characters, rich cultural content, and occasional black-and-white drawings round out the series. Review covers these Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream titles: Bounce Back, On Point, and Power Forward.
32 pp.
| Chronicle
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4521-5541-8$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mehrdokht Amini.
Geometric shapes are compared, in simple rhyming stanzas, to shapes found in traditional Islamic architecture, art, and rituals. Minarets are cone-shaped, the Ka'aba is a cube, and so on. Mixed-media illustrations are ornate and richly colored; depicting a different country on each spread, the pictures showcase the ethnic diversity within Islam yet focus on traditional (and sometimes archaic) attire. An author's note is appended. Glos.
(2)
4-6
Since she started middle school, shy Amina struggles with self-consciousness about her Muslim Pakistani American identity. Meanwhile, her conservative uncle objects to her singing and piano playing, and the local Islamic Center is vandalized. A relatable portrayal of a tween who wants to fit in and who's devoted to her faith even amid her confusion about her family's varied approaches to it.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2017
204 pp.
| Chronicle
| May, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4521-0795-0$12.99
(3)
4-6
Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure series.
Illustrated by
Yancey Labat.
With Ed Stafford. Readers are given a chance to experience the danger, thrill, and wild adventures of a six-month journey in the Amazon. Twenty-six different options provide a variety of paths and challenges in the rainforest. Survival is key, and learning about the environment, its natural beauty, and perils is enhanced with black-and-white cartoon drawings.
24 pp.
| Chronicle
| July, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8118-7905-7$17.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mehrdokht Amini.
A child describes the religious and cultural artifacts that define Islam for her family. Her grandfather wears a white kufi; she and her dad face Mecca on a red prayer rug. The book's strength is in the saturated colors of the stylized art and the brief introduction to Muslim culture. The rhyming text is unremarkable, but this child's view of Islam should prove useful. Glos.
204 pp.
| Chronicle
| September, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8118-7124-2$12.99
(4)
4-6
Worst-Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure series.
Illustrated by
Yancey Labat.
With Robert Zubrin. In this Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style book, readers join an international crew on a journey to Mars. The mission is "Help prepare Mars Base I for its first wave of permanent settlers" then return safely to Earth. Organization is spotty: the appended "Mars Expedition File" should be read before takeoff, as it provides maps, diagrams, and lifesaving information. Comic-style black-and-white illustrations enhance the interactive adventure.
32 pp.
| Chronicle
| September, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8118-6062-8$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Julie Paschkis.
This picture book provides an accessible, informative introduction to Ramadan, focusing on one girl's experiences of family, community, and tradition. A well-planned story arc, following the phases of the moon, gives shape to the tale. Paschkis's trademark deep-hued gouache illustrations with soft, flowing lines and decorated borders illuminate the thoughtfully designed pages. An author's note gives more information about Ramadan. Glos.