KAREEM BETWEEN, by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Sept. 10, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

A seventh-grade Syrian American boy navigates middle school in Kareem Between, a novel by Shifa Saltagi Safadi.

Seventh grade begins, and Kareem’s already fumbled it.

His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid—a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent—around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There’s a catch: to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong.

Then, like a surprise blitz, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to help her family but can’t make it back home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for unnecessary roughness.

Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents—and between right and wrong. It’s up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle. —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Kareem Between has been longlisted for 2024 National Book Awards, Young People’s Literature. And there’s good reason. Author Shifa Saltagi Safadi is a talented storyteller. Her main character loves American football. That’s what motivates him. It’s a sport I just don’t care about. But in Safadi’s deft hands, I cared about Kareem. I cared about his life. I cared about his story so much, that my apathy toward football fell by the wayside. That’s what good writing can do.

A novel in verse, Kareem Between, moves quickly. Safadi deftly explores friendship, community and family. Kareem is straddling that line between childhood and young adulthood where everything feels possible and impossible at the same time. His growth throughout the novel is beautiful to watch unfold.

Kareem Between is the type of book that you want your kid to read. It would be an excellent classroom resource, as well as appealing to independent readers.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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WE ARE BIG TIME: (A Graphic Novel), by Hena Khan and Safiya Zerrougui, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Aug. 6, 2024, Paperback, $13.99 (ages 8-12)

A Muslim teen as she joins an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team in We Are Big Time, a graphic novel by Hena Khan and Safiya Zerrougui.

Aliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic school is bigger, the city is colder, and her new basketball team is…well, they stink.

Aliya’s still excited to have teammates (although the team’s captain, Noura, isn’t really Aliya’s biggest fan), and their new coach really understands basketball (even if she doesn’t know much about being Muslim). This season should be a blast…if they could just start to win. As they strengthen their skills on the court, Aliya and the Peace Academy team discover that it takes more than talent to be great — it’s teamwork and self-confidence that defines true success. —Synopsis provided by Knopf Books for Young Readers

We Are Big Time is a fictionalized story based on the real-life experiences of the Salem School girls’ varsity high school basketball team in Milwaukee, Wis., during their 2018-19 season. Author Hena Khan interviewed the coach and several players, and used their answers as inspiration for the book.

Because of this, We Are Big Time feels weighted in reality. And while basketball is the central topic running through the book, it goes beyond sport. Themes of family, friendship, culture, finding your place on a team and differentiating yourself all come into play, and they all feel well explored and authentic.

Safiya Zerrougui’s illustrations are a great extension of Khan’s text. Her linework is smooth and her characters are expressive.

We Are Big Time is an uplifting graphic novel that will appeal to athletes, girls and fans of contemporary stories. It’s a great option, especially now, with so many kids buzzing about all the action they saw during the Olympics.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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FOUR EIDS AND A FUNERAL, by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar, Feiwel & Friends, June 4, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)

Ex-best friends join forces to save their Islamic Center from demolition in Four Eids and a Funeral, by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar.

The town of New Crosshaven has it all―even its own infamous love story.

These days, Said Hossain spends most of his time away at boarding school. But when his favorite hometown librarian, Ms. Barnes, dies, he must return to New Crosshaven for her funeral and for the summer. Too bad being home makes it a lot harder to avoid facing his ex–best friend, Tiwa Olatunji, or facing the daunting task of telling his Bangladeshi parents that he would rather be an artist than a doctor.

Tiwa doesn’t understand what made Said start ignoring her, but it’s probably that fancy boarding school of his. Though he’s unexpectedly staying at home through the summer, she’s determined to take a page from him and pretend he doesn’t exist. Besides, she has more than enough going on anyway, between grieving her broken family and helping her mother throw the upcoming Eid celebration at the Islamic Center―a place that means so much to Tiwa.

But when the Islamic Center accidentally catches fire, it turns out the mayor plans to demolish the center entirely. Things are still tense between the ex-friends, but Tiwa needs Said’s help if there’s any hope of changing the mayor’s mind, and on top of everything, Said needs a project to submit to art school (unbeknownst to anyone).

Will all their efforts be enough to save the Islamic Center, save Eid, and maybe even save their relationship? —Synopsis provided by Feiwel & Friends

Four Eids and a Funeral is a sweet romance about community and being true to yourself.

At the center of the story are Said and Tiwa. The two were best friends until Said left for boarding school. Now, they can barely stand to be in the same room with each other. Both characters are strong in their own right and their interplay works well.

The writing by by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar feels cohesive and comfortable. They have a lot going on but manage to keep everything flowing instead of becoming a jumbled mess.

The book’s strongest asset is the strong representation of South Asian cultures within a Muslim community. This is what grounds Four Eids and a Funeral. The authors have expertly written a book that speaks to a specific audience but is also accessible to readers who don’t have much background.

Four Eids and a Funeral is a fairly fast read that has a wholesome feel to it.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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SISTER FRIEND: A PICTURE BOOK, by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Shahrzad Maydani, Harry N. Abrams, May 7, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)

Two lonely girls find friendship through their shared cultural community in Sister Friend, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Shahrzad Maydani.

Ameena feels invisible. It’s been that way since she started at her new school. But now there is another new girl in class. Ameena sees her brownness and her hijab, even though the other kids do not.

Ameena wants to be her friend, but she can’t seem to find the right words or do the right things. Until one day, they find them together: “Assalamu Alaikum, Sister. Welcome.” —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams

Sister Friend is the story of a girl who doesn’t quite fit in. Her loneliness makes her feel invisible. But when a new girl arrives, she’s determined to find a friend. Author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow conveys a lot of emotion in text that is a joy to read aloud. But it’s illustrator Shahrzad Maydani’s use of color that brings the story to life. Together, text and art combine to create a tender read. Children of all backgrounds will relate to the feeling of somehow not fitting in and the joy of finding someone who truly sees you.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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SHINY MISFITS: A GRAPHIC NOVEL, by Maysoon Zayid and Shadia Amin, Graphix, April 16, 2024, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)

A girl is desperate to show the world her star quality in Shiny Misfits, a new middle-grade graphic novel by Maysoon Zayid and Shadia Amin.

Bay Ann wants to shine. No matter what.

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? —Synopsis provided by Graphix

Shiny Misfits is like a book on steroids. Each setup, each conversation, each scene is full of rapid-fire action that’s sometimes dizzying in application.

Bay Ann has cerebral palsy, and is tired of people not looking beyond her disability. She knows that if given the chance, her tap routine can make her a star.

To be honest, Bay Ann comes across as pretty self-centered. Everything is about her and her dreams. Grownups are evil, and her main competition is out to get her. There’s a lot of drama here. But honestly, that’s the character, and the book wouldn’t work otherwise.

There’s an underlying message about the negative impact of social media and the push to be popular, as well as the value of true friendship.

Illustrator Shadia Amin is definitely in sync with author Maysoon Zayid’s text, creating panels featuring a range of emotion — pure joy to humorous to angst — that really bring the whole story to life.

Shiny Misfits is a fast-moving graphic novel that reminds readers to focus on people as a whole rather than focusing in only on their disabilities or accomplishments.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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YOU ARE A STAR, MALALA YOUSAFZAI, by Dean Robbins and Maithili Joshi, Scholastic Press, Jan. 2, 2024, Paperback, $8.99 (ages 5-7)

You Are a Star, Malala Yousafzai, by Dean Robbins and Maithili Joshi, is the story of the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Make way for Malala Yousafzai! 

It’s Malala Yousafzai like you’ve never seen her before!

Using a unique mix of first-person narrative, comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins introduces young readers to an activist and trailblazer. The third book in the You Are a Star nonfiction series, You Are a Star, Malala Yousafzai focuses on Malala’s lifelong mission to bring educational equality and justice to all―especially young girls. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press

You Are a Star, Malala Yousafzai is an accessible picture book biography of one of the world’s top advocates for girls’ education. The book really feels as if Malala is telling you her personal story. The mix of comic panels and larger illustrations almost give it a scrapbook feel. Excellent backmatter includes an author’s note and information on how readers can be more like Malala.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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DEAR MUSLIM CHILD, by Rahma Rodaah and Aya Ghanameh, Balzer + Bray, Feb. 6, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)

In Dear Muslim Child, by Rahma Rodaah and Aya Ghanameh, children are encouraged to take joy and pride in their Islamic faith.

Dear Muslim Child is a letter to a child that speaks of Islam, the meaning of light and names, the power of words and prayer, the beauty of the hijab, and the strength of family and community.

Author Rahma Rodaah’s gentle prose is calm and respectful. There’s a lovely cadence to the text that makes it a joy to read aloud. Artist Aya Ghanameh’s inviting illustrationscelebrate diversity and love. This simple book is a great introduction to Islam for kids of other faiths, and a warm hug for those who live it.

About the creators:

Rahma Rodaah was born and raised in Hargeisa, Somaliland. At the age of eight, her family immigrated to Canada where she still resides today. She is a mother of four children and enjoys reading and coming up with silly bedtime stories. She is also the author of two self-published picture books and firmly believes that children need to be able to identify themselves in the books they read. You can visit her online at rahmarodaah.com.

Aya Ghanameh is a Palestinian illustrator, writer, and designer from Amman, Jordan. She received her BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design with a concentration in literary arts, and completed a yearlong Children’s Books & Gifts Design Fellowship at Chronicle Books. You can visit her online at ayaghanameh.com.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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DAUGHTERS OF THE LAMP, by Nedda Lewers, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Feb. 20, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)

A girl becomes the guardian of Ali Baba’s legendary treasure in Daughters of the Lamp, the first book in a new fantasy series by Nedda Lewers.

Sahara Rashad lives by logic. Loves science. And always has a plan. Except her dad just whisked her away to her uncle’s wedding in Egypt, upending every single plan she had for the summer.

In Cairo, Sahara’s days are filled with family—and mystery. First, Sahara’s cousins claim the pretentious bride-to-be is actually a witch. Then her late mother’s necklace starts glowing—and disappears.

Sahara’s attempts to recover the necklace lead her to the greatest mystery yet. Deep in an underground chamber lies Ali Baba’s magical treasure. Hidden from a line of sorcerers who threatened to use its powers for evil, the treasure was given to Sahara’s ancestor Morgana for safekeeping and passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Now only Sahara stands in the sorcerers’ way.

Can the girl who’s never believed in magic trust the unknown and claim her legacy as the treasure’s keeper? —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Daughters of the Lamp is told in alternating timelines — present-day Sahara and 985 CE Morgana (Ali Baba’s servant). By jumping through time, author Nedda Lewers is able to provide readers with the lamp’s history and explain how Sahara’s family became its guardian. It also adds some much-needed action to the beginning of the novel, which is much slower paced on Sahara’s end.

The book does offer magic, adventure and mystery, but there’s much more to it than that. At its heart, Daughters of the Lamp is a story of family, identity and belonging. In traveling to Egypt, Sahara comes to know her mother’s family, their faith and her mother’s history. She’s suddenly walking the very streets her mom once walked. It puts everything into perspective.

Lewers does an excellent job setting scenes, taking readers past the iconic symbols of Egypt and onto the streets where the people live. Lewers’ writing is warm and feels seasoned despite Daughters of the Lamp being her debut. It’s a fun fantasy with a sequel expected summer 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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