Yasmin the Ice Skater by Saadia FaruqiYasmin 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 FaruqiYasmin 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 FaruqiBaba’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
Yasmin the Detective by Saadia FaruqiYasmin has a mystery on her hands! Nani’s things keep disappearing, and no one seems to know where they’ve gone. Then a science lesson provides a clue. Can Detective Yasmin solve the case?
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC AuthorsAn essential, highly relatable collection of short fiction and poems around the topic of menstruation, written exclusively by authors who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color
For Angela, it came on the basketball court—while playing on the boys’ team. For Penny, it came on a school field trip to the lake (making for some cringeworthy moments of humor). And to Layla’s disappointment, it came at the start of her first fasting Ramadan, meaning that she won’t be able to fast after all. Whether it spurs silence or celebration, whether the subjects are well prepared or totally in the dark, the young people in these sixteen stories find that getting a period not only brings change to their bodies, it also brings joy, sorrow, self-discovery, and yes, sometimes even gifts.
Edited by Aida Salazar and Yamile Saied Méndez and featuring BIPOC contributors who are some of the most talented authors in middle-grade fiction today—including two-time 2021 Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat, Erin Entrada Kelly, Ibi Zoboi, and Saadia Faruqi—My New Gift offers coming-of-age stories and poetry ranging from funny to heartbreaking to powerful, all of them reassuring readers that they are not alone in their period journey.
With contributions by:
Hilda Eunice Burgos
Veeda Bybee
Susan Muaddi Darraj
Saadia Faruqi
Nikki Grimes
Leah Henderson
Mason J.
Erin Entrada Kelly
Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Elise McMullen-Ciotti
Yamile Saied Méndez
Emma Otheguy
Aida Salazar
Christina Soontornvat
Padma Venkatraman
Ibi Zoboi
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
In this compendium of remarkable Muslim figures throughout history—with stunning portraits and illustrations by Saffa Khan—authors Saadia Faruqi and Aneesa Mumtaz introduce the reader to many of the Muslim physicians, musicians, athletes, poets, and more whose contributions have influenced the world we live in.
This richly illustrated biographical collection highlights some of the talented Muslims who helped make the world we know today, for readers who loved Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls.
A brilliant surgeon heals patients in the first millennium.
A female king rules the Indian subcontinent.
An iconic leader fights for civil rights.
And many, many more.
Throughout history—from the golden age of the empires of Arabia, Iraq, Persia, and India, up to modern day—Muslims have shaped our world in essential ways, with achievements in music, medicine, politics, human rights, literature, sports, technology, and more. Give this book to readers who are excited to learn about great figures and thinkers in world history!
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
Kitten Chaos (Must Love Pets #2) by Saadia FaruqiA young middle grade series that combines the heart and friendship of the Baby-sitters Club, with the irresistible appeal of adorable animals!
The fur is going to fly!
Must Love Pets has a new job: pet sitting three adorable kittens. What Imaan, London, and Olivia don’t expect is all the trouble these tiny creatures can get into, from climbing up the curtains, to chewing Amir’s favorite book and tearing up Mama’s work papers.
To get out of the house—and out of Mama’s hair—the girls take the kittens to a local farmers market. There, they meet the world’s cutest goat, and the kittens have a ball. At the end of a busy day as fabulous pet sitters, the girls are relaxing back at Imaan’s house when they realize two things: The goat has followed them home, and the kittens are nowhere to be found. They’ll have to solve two animal emergencies before anyone finds out!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Eid al-Fitr Mad Libs: World’s Greatest Word GameThis year, celebrate Eid al-Fitr with your family, some sweet TYPE OF FOOD, and Mad Libs!
Eid Mubarak! Celebrate the holiday with Zakat-al-Fitr, sweet treats, and Eid al-Fitr Mad Libs! Filled with good cheer and humor, these 21 fill-in-the-blank stories will give the whole family a new way to enjoy the traditions of the holiday together!
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
An essential, highly relatable collection of short fiction and poems around the topic of menstruation, written exclusively by authors who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color
For Angela, it came on the basketball court—while playing on the boys’ team. For Penny, it came on a school field trip to the lake (making for some cringeworthy moments of humor). And to Layla’s disappointment, it came at the start of her first fasting Ramadan, meaning that she won’t be able to fast after all. Whether it spurs silence or celebration, whether the subjects are well prepared or totally in the dark, the young people in these sixteen stories find that getting a period not only brings change to their bodies, it also brings joy, sorrow, self-discovery, and yes, sometimes even gifts.
Edited by Aida Salazar and Yamile Saied Méndez and featuring BIPOC contributors who are some of the most talented authors in middle-grade fiction today—including two-time 2021 Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat, Erin Entrada Kelly, Ibi Zoboi, and Saadia Faruqi—My New Gift offers coming-of-age stories and poetry ranging from funny to heartbreaking to powerful, all of them reassuring readers that they are not alone in their period journey.
With contributions by:
Hilda Eunice Burgos
Veeda Bybee
Susan Muaddi Darraj
Saadia Faruqi
Nikki Grimes
Leah Henderson
Mason J.
Erin Entrada Kelly
Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Elise McMullen-Ciotti
Yamile Saied Méndez
Emma Otheguy
Aida Salazar
Christina Soontornvat
Padma Venkatraman
Ibi Zoboi
Summary via Edelweiss, cover image (TBR)
This review was originally published in School Library Journal.
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero
Gr 5 Up–Twenty years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 11-year-old sixth grader and robotics enthusiast Yusuf Azeem lives with his Pakistani American family in a small Texas town. His father is an immigrant businessman-turned-hometown-hero, his Texas-born mother is a freelance journalist, and he has a doting three-year-old younger sister. The close-knit Muslim community in the town, including the Azeems, attend local activities such as youth football games and parades alongside their non-Muslim neighbors, partially in an effort to fit in. However, changes are afoot in their town: hateful graffiti is sprawled on buildings; a white nationalist group takes root and challenges the Muslim community’s long-standing plans to build a mosque; and school bullying of Muslim students, including Yusuf, occurs daily. These events make it clear to the Muslims of Frey, TX, that they may never be truly embraced for who they are, throwing into question the personal and communal sacrifices that they have made, and forcing Yusuf to forge his own path in the pursuit of justice. Relatable and multidimensional characters of various ages and backgrounds are portrayed with nuance and empathy. Journal entries written by Yusuf’s Uncle Rahman from his own childhood at the time of the attacks offer additional insight into the impact of 9/11. The young characters’ struggles to balance personal commitments to their faith with parental expectations and their own desires will resonate with readers of many backgrounds. An author’s note explains that the story was inspired by the experiences of Ahmed Mohamed, nicknamed “The Clock Boy,” a Muslim Texan school boy who was wrongly accused of bringing a bomb to school.