Marya Khan And The Spectacular Fall Festival
(The Marya Khan Series , Vol. 3)
by Saadia Faruqi
Amulet/Abrams
Perfect for fans of Ivy & Bean and Stella Diaz, Marya Khan and the Spectacular Fall Festival is the third stand-alone adventure in Saadia Faruqi and Ani Bushry’s illustrated chapter book series about a Pakistani American third grader whose ambition sometimes gets away from her.
Marya loves fall. Every year, her family goes to the town’s pumpkin patch and picks out the best pumpkin. But this year, after she sees her frenemy, Alexa, winning a big, cool pumpkin-shaped trophy, Marya knows she’s got to win a trophy for something.
It just so happens that her school is going to hold its own fall festival, with games and food and even a hayride. All the ticket sales will go to an animal shelter, and the person who sells the most tickets will win a prize. Cue Operation Sell Tickets! But when Marya is so focused on winning, is she losing sight of what really matters?
Includes a Pumpkin-Based Recipe to Make and Enjoy
Cover image and summary via Abrams
When A Brown Girl Flees
by Aamna Qureshi
Lee & Low/Tu Books
In this searing contemporary YA novel from new voice Aamna Qureshi, a Muslim teen runs away from home only to find herself on a breathtaking journey of healing, self-love, and hope.
After Zahra Paracha makes a decision at odds with her beliefs, her mother forces Zahra to make an impossible choice about her future. So Zahra runs away. A train and a plane ride later, she finds herself in New York, where she relinquishes her past in favor of a new future. There, she must learn who she is without the marionette strings of control in her mother’s hands. There, she must learn who she wishes to become.
On Long Island, Zahra stays at a bed & breakfast, unsure of her place in the world. Anxious, depressed, and grappling with guilt, she wanders aimlessly. She eventually visits the local masjid, where she is befriended by two sisters and drawn into the welcoming Muslim community there.
It is in this place of safety that Zahra’s healing truly begins–but can she create a home for herself when the foundation is built on lies she’s spun to protect her from the past? When a family friend recognizes her, will everything come crashing down? As Zahra tries to build a life for herself in this new place, the heart of the matter becomes clear: she can’t run away forever. Can she close the rift in her family and truly, fully heal?
Cover image and summary via Lee & Low
Ali the Great and the Paper Airplane Flop
by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Picture Window Books/Capstone 
Ali Tahir joins in a paper airplane contest with a surprise twist. On a rainy day, Ali brings the fun to indoor recess by sharing his talent for building paper airplanes with his friends. But in a contest to see whose plane can fly farthest, Ali is baffled by the results. Will airplane expert Ali flop or come out on top? Ali the Great, by Yasmin author Saadia Faruqi, is a charming chapter book series about Pakistani American second grader Ali Tahir. Ali’s big ideas will resonate with young readers who believe that every problem has a creative solution—you just have to find it!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Ali the Great and the Dinosaur Mistake
by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Picture Window Books/Capstone 
Ali Tahir is a dinosaur expert! Or is he? Ali and his classmates are excited for their field trip to the natural history museum. Ali brags to his friends that he’s a dinosaur pro! But when Ali gets his facts wrong, he’s really embarrassed. Some dino pro he is! Then, Ali learns that mistakes can also be opportunities… Ali the Great, by Yasmin author Saadia Faruqi, is a charming chapter book series about Pakistani American second grader Ali Tahir. Ali’s big ideas will resonate with young readers who believe that every problem has a creative solution—you just have to find it!
Ali the Great and the Market Mishap
by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Picture Window Books/Capstone 
Ali Tahir loses something important at the market—his brother! Who’s hungry? Ali, his grandfather, and little brother Fateh head to the South Asian market to stock up on snacks. So much to see! But what Ali can’t see is Fateh.… Where did he go? Will Ali’s quick thinking save the day? Ali the Great, by Yasmin author Saadia Faruqi, is a charming chapter book series about Pakistani American second grader Ali Tahir. Ali’s big ideas will resonate with young readers who believe that every problem has a creative solution—you just have to find it!
Khan, Sabina. Zara Hossain is Here. Scholastic Inc. Apr. 2021. 256p. Tr. $19.95. ISBN 9781773214900. Grades 7-12.
Zara Hossain is Here by Sabina Khan tells the story of Zara, a queer Muslim Pakistani high schooler as she navigates family, love, and racism in Corpus Christi, Texas. Having been in the United States since she was three years old, Zara and her family are comfortable and integrated in their community. However, their lack of green card status keeps her from feeling truly secure. And when Zara speaks out against racism and harassment at the hands of a classmate Tyler, she must deal with the fallout, which quickly escalates to violence against her family.
Themes and issues explored in the book are important to the overall YA canon, specifically in relation to complex and diverse Muslim representation and all of its intersections–violence against the Muslim community, queerness, inadequacies of the immigration system, and the plethora of other intersecting issues and identities– with varying levels of success. In terms of Muslim representation Zara’s family practices Islam “culturally,” as examples, not fasting during Ramadan nor observing the five daily prayers. Zara’s parents are understanding and supportive of her bisexual identity and relationship. She experiences backlash from their Pakistani community and her girlfriend Chloe’s Christian family. Phrases in Urdu and Arabic and used throughout the book and the larger cast of characters is equally diverse.
Unfortunately the novel suffers in pacing events and clunky writing, with character development feeling stunted, and lacking emotion and feeling that fails to connect the reader to Zara’s story. Zara’s shifting of thoughts on life impacting decisions, such as moving back to Pakistan, feels flat and not overly contemplative. Zara’s relationship with Chloe feels abrupt in its beginnings and the quick intensity of their feelings comes across as inauthentic. These intense events occur within the first hundred pages, are dragged out in the remainder of the novel, and are too neatly resolved to be believable. Overall a disappointing read that checks the boxes without any real singular impact.
Yasmin Figures it Out! by Saadia Faruqi
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Capstone / Picture Window Books
Join Yasmin in four new adventures that put her courage and problem-solving skills to the test! At home, Baba’s got a mystery ailment, and Nani thinks there’s a thief afoot. At the farm, Yasmin is put in charge of the chicks—but one goes missing! And at the ice rink, Yasmin puts on a brave face and tries something new. No matter the challenge, puzzle, or mystery, Yasmin gives her all to figure it out!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Yasmin the Ice Skater by Saadia Faruqi
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Capstone / Picture Window Books
Yasmin and her friend Emma are heading to the ice rink. But Yasmin has never skated before, and she’s nervous! After a series of excuses, will Yasmin hang up her skates or find the courage to step onto the ice?
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Yasmin the Farmer by Saadia Faruqi
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Capstone / Picture Window Books
Yasmin and her family are going to the farm! When Farmer Tomás puts her in charge of the baby chicks, Yasmin is thrilled! But then a baby chick goes missing. Can Farmer Yasmin bring the flock back together?
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Yasmin the Doctor by Saadia Faruqi
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Capstone / Picture Window Books
Baba’s not feeling well, and Doctor Yasmin is determined to find out why. After giving Baba a checkup, Yasmin is stumped. But when she sits down to work on Baba’s puzzle, inspiration strikes. Doctor Yasmin to the rescue!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss