Fairy-Tale Puppy Picnic: A Branches Book (The Party Diaries #4)
by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, Illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Priya puts together the perfect puppy picnic and raises money to help African wild dogs, in the fourth installment of this full-color early chapter book series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader!
This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
Priya is planning a puppy picnic for her friend Dola! It has a fairy-tale theme because Dola’s adorable puppy is named Prince! Priya starts her party-prep to-do list. She makes castle invitations, creates DIY crowns, and bakes cupcakes (and pupcakes!). But as the puppy picnic gets closer, it looks like it might rain. Priya tries not to worry, but the weather is not something she can check off her to-do list. Will she have to cancel the picnic?
With color-coded speech bubbles, an engaging diary format, plenty of humor, and vibrant artwork on every page, this series is perfect for newly independent readers! There’s even a fun DIY activity at the back of the book, encouraging kids to make their own fabric ribbon garland at home!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Talkhani, Zeba. The Most Exciting Eid. Illus. by Abeeha Tariq Feb. 2024. 24p. Scholastic, $7.99. ISBN 9781338877816. Grades PreK – 2
In this Eid story, Safa and her family, cued as having Pakistani heritage, see the new moon marking the end of Ramadan. Knowing that it is now Eid ul-Fitr, Safa looks forward to all the things her family will do. There is decoration of their home, henna decoration for hands, and preparation for the next day which will bring a family party with new outfits, delicious food, and presents. In her prayers Safa asks Allah for a new bicycle, and is delighted when she gets it, but when her cousin Alissa asks if she can have a turn on the bicycle, Safa does not want to share.
Though it is during the party, Safa’s mother calls her into the kitchen telling her that this year she is now old enough to help to bring food to their neighbors and visit with them. While on their visits, Safa spends time thinking about how they make their neighbors happy and how sharing makes her feel connected to others. Finally, Safa and her mother stop at her grandparents’ house. She is happy to see them, but there is no explanation as to why her grandparents are not at the family party. Returning home, Alissa tells Safa that she had been looking for her, and later pages show them riding bicycles. Readers may wonder why the narrative wanders in its sequence, but the celebration of Eid and discussions of sharing and the spirit of giving may help families introduce their children to Eid, Islamic phrases, concepts, and practices while also observing interwoven aspects of Pakistani Muslim culture.
The Most Exciting Eid
by Zeba Talkhani; 
Illustrated by Abeeha Tariq
Scholastic Press/Scholastic (Trade Publishing)
Join Safa and her family for Eid al-Fitr in this heartwarming celebration of the holiday!
Eid al-Fitr is nearly here! Follow along with Safa and her loved ones during their vibrant celebration of Eid, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Safa can’t wait to participate in all of her favorite holiday traditions: decorating the house, eating yummy food, henna, and enjoying the big family gathering! Safa loves sharing special moments and gifts with her family. But she’s also having a hard time sharing her Eid gifts with her cousin, Alissa. Will Safa learn what the spirit of Eid al-Fitr is truly all about?
With beautiful illustrations, joyous text, and an important lesson about the gift of giving, this book is perfect for holiday celebrations and family sharing!
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Shiny Misfits: A Graphic Novel
by Maysoon Zayid; illustrated by Shadia Amin
Graphix/Scholastic
A hilarious story about fame and friendship, by comedian and disability activist Maysoon Zayid, paired with Shadia Amin’s absolutely perfect art!
Bay Ann wants to shine.
She’s sure her moment in the spotlight has arrived when she wins the school talent show with a showstopping tap routine! But then her classmate and crush, Alyee Maq, causes her to wobble and almost fall. The video of him catching her goes viral, making Alyee an overnight sensation for “helping her.” Bay Ann is reduced to her disability and her talent is ignored.
Bay Ann doesn’t want her classmate to get all the fame, and she is NOT satisfied being anything but the best. She’ll do everything in her power to beat Alyee at his own attention-seeking game. With the help of her two best friends, Michelle and Davey Matt, she’ll go up against Alyee and his crew to prove she’s number one.
But as Bay Ann tries to find the thing that really makes her stand out, everything she tries goes disastrously wrong. What if the only way to beat her enemy . . . is to join him?
This is a hilarious and one-of-a-kind graphic novel about fame, friendship, and fighting to take back your own story.
Cover image and summary via Shiny Misfits
What a Desi Girl Wants
by Sabina Khan
Scholastic
The romance of Becky Albertalli meets the nuanced family dynamics of Darius the Great is Not Okay in this YA novel from acclaimed author Sabina Khan.
Mehar hasn’t been back to India since she and her mother moved away when she was only four. Hasn’t visited her father, her grandmother, her family, or the home where she grew up. Why would she? Her father made it clear that she’s not his priority when he chose not to come to the US with them.
But when her father announces his engagement to socialite Naz, Mehar reluctantly agrees to return for the wedding. Maybe she and her father can heal their broken relationship. And after all, her father is Indian royalty, and his home is a palace–the wedding is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime affair.
While her father still doesn’t make the time for her, Mehar barely cares once she meets Sufiya, her grandmother’s assistant, and one of the most grounded, thoughtful, kind people she’s ever met! Though they come from totally different worlds, their friendship slowly starts to blossom into something more…Mehar thinks.
Meanwhile, Mehar’s dislike for Naz and her social media influencer daughter, Aleena, deepens. She can tell that the two of them are just using her father for his money. Mehar’s starting to think that putting a stop to this wedding might be the best thing for everyone involved.
But what happens when telling her father the truth about Naz and Aleena means putting her relationship with Sufiya at risk…
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
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.
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
Bhai for Now by Maleeha Siddiqui
Scholastic
A fresh and fun new spin on the Parent-Trap story, by Indies Introduce author Maleeha Siddiqui
Ashar is busy with the ice hockey team, studying to get into the best school, and hanging out with his friends.
Shaheer and his father are always moving, following his dad’s jobs. Shaheer has given up hope of finding a place where he can put down roots, a place that feels like home.
The two boys have nothing in common.
But when they meet on Shaheer’s first day at his new school, it’s like looking in a mirror.
They quickly figure out that they’re twins, separated as babies. And they are determined to do whatever it takes—including secretly switching identities—to get to know the parent they’ve been separated from.
This is the story of two long-lost brothers who, while they might not like each other, just might need each other.
Bhai for Now is by turns heartwarming and hilarious, and with a unforgettable Muslim family and friendship story at its core.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
Kitten Chaos (Must Love Pets #2) by Saadia Faruqi
Scholastic
A 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
I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman
Scholastic
From the bestselling creator of HEARTSTOPPER and LOVELESS, a deeply funny and deeply moving exploration of identity, friendship, and fame.
For Angel Rahimi life is about one thing: The Ark — a boy band that’s taking the world by storm. Being part of The Ark’s fandom has given her everything she loves — her friend Juliet, her dreams, her place in the world. Her Muslim family doesn’t understand the band’s allure — but Angel feels there are things about her they’ll never understand.
Jimmy Kaga-Ricci owes everything to The Ark. He’s their frontman — and playing in a band with his mates is all he ever dreamed of doing, even it only amplifies his anxiety. The fans are very accepting that he’s trans — but they also keep shipping with him with his longtime friend and bandmate, Rowan. But Jimmy and Rowan are just friends — and Rowan has a secret girlfriend the fans can never know about. Dreams don’t always turn out the way you think and when Jimmy and Angel are unexpectedly thrust together, they find out how strange and surprising facing up to reality can be.
A funny, wise, and heartbreakingly true coming of age novel. I Was Born for This is a stunning reflection of modern teenage life, and the power of believing in something — especially yourself.
Cover image and summary via Edelweiss
