All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa
by Richard Conyngham,
illustrated by Dada Khanyisa, Liz Clarke, Saaid Rahbeeni, Tumi Mamabolo, Nathan Trantraal, Andre Trantraal, Mark Modimola
Catalyst Press
A graphic anthology celebrating pivotal human rights court cases—the stories of which have never been told before—in South Africa’s pre-apartheid years, and the unsung heroes who sacrificed everything to ensure a better future for all.
All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa revives six true stories of resistance by marginalized South Africans against the country’s colonial government in the years leading up to Apartheid. In six parts—each of which is illustrated by a different South African artist—All Rise shares the long-forgotten struggles of ordinary, working-class women and men who defended the disempowered during a tumultuous period in South African history. From immigrants and miners to tram workers and washerwomen, the everyday people in these stories bore the brunt of oppression and in some cases risked their lives to bring about positive change for future generations.
This graphic anthology breathes new life into a history dominated by icons, and promises to inspire all readers to become everyday activists and allies. The diverse creative team behind All Rise, from an array of races, genders, and backgrounds, is a testament to the multicultural South Africa dreamed of by the heroes in these stories—true stories of grit, compassion, and hope, now being told for the first time in print.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
This review was originally published in School Library Journal.
Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab
by Priya Huq
Abrams. Nov. 2021. 224p. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781419740169.
Gr 7 Up—In Portland, OR, in 2002, eighth grader Nisrin Moniruzzaman is proud to share her Bangladeshi heritage and cultural dress with her school community during a celebration of world cultures. But on her way home from school with a friend who is Black and Iranian, the girls suffer a violent racist attack, and Nisrin’s orna, a shawl-like scarf, is ripped from her head. In the following months, both girls struggle to heal. After visiting the home of a young cousin who wears a hijab, Nisrin decides to start wearing the headscarf as she begins high school. Her choice challenges her mother and her maternal grandparents, with whom she lives, and makes her a target for Islamophobia at school; it also serves as a catalyst for her to learn more about Islam and her family’s feelings about the religion, their experiences in Bangladesh, and the country’s tumultuous history, including Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan (although readers will need to look elsewhere for a nuanced account of conflict in the region). Vivid illustrations capture the characters’ raw feelings and move the narrative along quickly, making it feel slightly rushed at times. “A Guide to Bangladesh” written from the perspective of Nisrin at the end of the novel includes a map of the region and provides additional insight about the country, its people, and the author’s family.
VERDICT A solid addition to collections of all types and a welcome exploration of what it means to navigate the complexities of Muslim identity in the United States.
Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland Public Library, CA
Islamophobia: Deal With it in the Name of Peace
by Safia Saleh, illustrated by Hana Shafi
Lorimer Books (U.S. Publication Date)
Today’s kids have lived their whole lives in a world where the topic of religious belief has become a serious social issue. The media and social media are full of stereotypes and misinformation about Islam in particular, and this atmosphere of fear and distrust has entered the everyday life of kids. When kids encounter conflict based on intolerance, inequity and ignorance, they need the understanding and the tools to deal with the situation. Whether the reader is Muslim or not, Islamophobia: Deal with it in the name of peace provides information, relatable situations and opportunities for kids to explore both the assumptions of their own biases and those of others.
This illustrated book offers information, quizzes, comics and real-life scenarios to help kids think critically about, avoid and deal with Islamophobia. Considered from the viewpoints of the Believer, the Intolerant, and the Bystander, this issue is identified, examined and put into a context kids can understand and use to navigate issues of faith-based prejudice and discrimination.
Cover image and summary via Lorimer
Our Stories Carried Us Here : A Graphic Novel Anthology
Edited by Tea Rozman Clark & Julie Vang, illustrated by Tom Kaczynski
Green Card Voices
The first national graphic anthology of 10 U.S. immigrants and refugees illustrated by 10 immigrants and refugees from all over the world.
A bold and unconventional collection of first-person stories told and illustrated by immigrants and refugees living across the United States. Stanford scientist, deaf student, indigenous activist, Black entrepreneur—all immigrants and refugees—recount journeys from their home countries in ten vibrantly illustrated stories. Faced by unfamiliar vistas, they are welcomed with possibilities, and confronted by challenges and prejudice. Timely, sobering, and insightful, Our Stories Carried Us Here acts as a mirror and a light to connect us all with immigrant and refugee experiences.
Cover and summary via Edelweiss
Magical History Tour: The Crusades (volume 4)
by Fabrice Erre
Illustrated by Sylvain Savoia
Papercutz
Annie and Nico embark on a journey to learn about The Crusades!
Modern day kids Annie and Nico go on a magical history tour back to the Middle Ages to find out what started the Crusades—and why there were so many of them. They travel to Jerusalem (where it all started) and they meet kings and popes and emperors and sultans… including Richard the Lionheart and his famous adversary Saladin. Along the way, Nico discovers that the Crusades weren’t just about religion and the Holy Wars weren’t just between Christians and Muslims. Experience the ins and outs of this confusing time with Annie and Nico as the helpful guides in this pocket-sized book.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Narya and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata
Penguin Random House/Viking Books for Young Readers
In this coming-of-age graphic novel with a fantastical twist, Nayra Mansour, a Muslim American girl is helped on her journey to selfhood by a djinn.
Nothing is going right for Nayra Mansour. There’s the constant pressure from her strict family, ruthless bullying from her classmates, and exhausting friendship demands from Rami –the only other Muslim girl at school. Nayra has had enough. Just when she’s considering transferring schools to escape it all, a mysterious Djinn named Marjan appears.
As a djinn, a mythical being in Islamic folklore, Marjan uses their powers and wisdom to help Nayra navigate her overwhelming life. But Marjan’s past is fraught with secrets, guilt, and trouble, and if they don’t face what they’ve done, Nayra could pay the price.
In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, Iasmin Omar Ata has created a realistic coming-of-age story with an enchanting dose of the fantastical about strength, identity, and, most of all, friendship.
Summary via Edelweiss
Ms Marvel: Stretched Thin by Nadia Shammas and Nabi H. Ali
Scholastic/Graphic
Kamala Khan (a.k.a. Ms. Marvel) is stretched too thin-literally. She’s having a hard time balancing schoolwork with being a good friend, being there for her family, becoming the best fanfic writer this side of the Hudson River . . . and, you know, becoming a Super Hero. She’s tired and just barely keeping control, BUT she’s handling it. Totally.
But when a mysterious robot tries to infiltrate Avengers Tower, it’ll be up to Ms. Marvel to (again, literally) pull herself together, learn to ask for help, and fix the mess she’s made before anyone gets hurt!
Cover via ARC and summary via Goodreads
Piece By Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab by Priya Huq
Abrams/Amulet Books
In this middle-grade graphic novel, Nisrin will have to rely on faith, friends, and family to help her recover after she is the target of a hate crime.
Nisrin is a 13-year-old Bangladeshi-American girl living in Milwaukie, Oregon, in 2002. As she nears the end of eighth grade, she gives a presentation for World Culture Day about Bangladesh while wearing a traditional cultural dress. On her way home, she is the victim of a hate crime when a man violently attacks her for wearing a headscarf.
Deeply traumatized by the experience, Nisrin spends the summer depressed and isolated. Other than weekly therapy, Nisrin doesn’t leave the house until fall arrives and it’s time for her to start freshman year at a new school. The night before class starts, Nisrin makes a decision. She tells her family she’s going to start wearing hijab, much to their dismay. Her mother and grandparent’s shocked and angry reactions confuse her—but they only strengthen her resolve.
This choice puts Nisrin on a path to not only discover more about Islam, but also her family’s complicated relationship with the religion, and the reasons they left Bangladesh in the first place. On top of everything else, she’s struggling to fit in at school—her hijab makes her a target for students and faculty alike. But with the help from old friends and new, Nisrin is starting to figure out what really makes her happy. Piece by Piece is an original graphic novel about growing up and choosing your own path, even if it leads you to a different place than you expected.
Cover and summary via Abrams
In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers : The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years after the 9/11 Attacks by Don Brown
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
A graphic novel chronicling the immediate aftermath and rippling effects of one of the most impactful days in modern history: September 11, 2001. From the Sibert Honor– and YALSA Award–winning creator behind The Unwanted and Drowned City. The consequences of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, both political and personal, were vast, and continue to reverberate today. Don Brown brings his journalistic eye and attention to moving individual stories to help teens contextualize what they already know about the day, as well as broaden their understanding of the chain of events that occurred in the attack’s wake. Profound, troubling, and deeply moving, In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers bears witness to our history—and the ways it shapes our future.
Cover image and summary via HMH
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy