Tag: saadia faruqi

The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi

The Partition Project
by Saadia Faruqi
Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins

In this engaging and moving middle grade novel, author Saadia Faruqi writes about a contemporary Pakistani American girl whose passion for journalism inspires her to learn more about her grandmother’s experience of the Partition of India and Pakistan—and the bond that the two form as she helps Dadi tell her story.

When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. That fact is confirmed when Maha has to give up her bedroom to the grumpy old woman and is assigned to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter.

As an aspiring journalist, Maha knows all about the importance of facts (though her best friend would say that stories are just as important). She can’t wait to start her journalism elective—until their teacher announces that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels way outside of what she would call “journalism.”

While Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan.

As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.

Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

Marya Khan And The Spectacular Fall Festival (The Marya Khan Series) by Saadia Faruqi

Marya Khan and the Spectacular Fall Festival (Marya Khan #3) 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

Ali the Great and the Eid Party Surprise by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

Ali the Great and the Eid Party Surprise
by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Picture Window Books/Capstone

Eid Mubarak! Can Ali Tahir use his creative powers to save the holiday party? It’s Eid—Ali’s favorite day of the year! The family has fun plans for this special day after the Muslim holiday Ramadan. But Ali’s brother, Fateh, is being cranky and keeps spoiling everything! Can Ali find a way to cheer up Fateh and bring the fun back to the holiday? 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 Paper Airplane Flop by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

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

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!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

Ali the Great and the Market Mishap by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia

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!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

Marya Khan and the Fabulous Jasmine Garden by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Ani Bushry

Marya Khan and the Fabulous Jasmine Garden
by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Ani Bushry
Amulet Books/Abrams

Perfect for fans of Ivy & Bean and Dory Fantasmagory, this charming new chapter book series by the author of the successful Yasmin series follows a Pakistani-American third-grader whose plans may backfire but whose persistence and heart are inspiring

Marya’s school is creating a community garden for students to take care of, and Marya is super excited. Not only will her third-grade class be the first to work on it, but Marya’s mom will be teaching the students all about gardening. Most importantly, one student will be chosen to lead the charge. Marya REALLY wants to be the class leader . . . but so does Alexa, her worst enemy. Cue Operation Be a Leader! Marya plans to work hard to prove she can be in charge, but nothing she does seems to make a difference. Birds keep destroying the plants, and none of Marya’s classmates want to listen to her. Can Marya bring everyone together and make the most beautiful, fabulous garden the school has ever seen?

Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Shazleen Khan

Saving Sunshine
by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Shazleen Khan
Macmillan/First Second

Relatable, funny, and heart-wrenchingly honest, Saving Sunshine is the poignant story of Muslim American siblings learning how to build each other up in a world that is too often unkind.

It’s already hard enough just being a kid, without being teased for having a funny sounding name or wearing a hijab.

It’s even harder when you’re constantly fighting your sibling—and Zara and Zeeshan really can’t stand each other. During a family trip to Florida, when the bickering, shoving, and insults reach new heights of chaos, their parents sentence them to the worst possible fate—each other’s company! But when the twins find an ailing turtle, it presents a rare opportunity for teamwork—if the two can put their differences aside at last.

Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

Friends Fur-ever by Saadia Faruqi (Must Love Pets #1)

Friends Fur-ever by Saadia Faruqi (Must Love Pets #1)
Scholastic

A new, young middle grade series that combines the heart and friendship of the Baby-sitters Club, with the irresistible appeal of adorable animals!

Pet-sitters for hire!

Imaan Bashir loves dogs, but she doesn’t have one. Yet. If only there were a surefire way to demonstrate her special canine connection to her mom. Then she’d be well on her way to pampering a pup of her very own.

When one of Imaan’s neighbors needs a last minute pet-sitter for her dog, Sir Teddy, a great idea is hatched. Imaan and her friends London and Olivia will step in as pet-sitters! Imaan’s mom will be so blown away by Imaan’s amazing animal abilities that she will beg her to adopt her own dog. Or something like that. . . But the reality of pet-sitting is a little more complicated—Imaan soon discovers that Sir Teddy is a real paw-full!

Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

Yasmin Figures it Out! by Saadia Faruqi

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