📚 The New Kid 📚 Author: A.M. Dassu Illustrator: Huseyin Sonmezay Publisher: Collins Big Cat, Harper Collins Age: 6-9 Islamic Content: Syrian Refugee, Muslim Family Concerns: None Summary: Ammar was nervous to start a new school at a new country. How can he make friends when he doesn't even speak the same language? Review: This is an early read chapter book that follows a boy as he adjusts in his new school life. The story is written in first person and it is easy to follo

📚 The Boy at the Back of the Class 📚 Author: Onjali Q. Rauf @onjalirauf Publisher: Delacorte Press Age: 8-12 🌟 Islamic Content: None. Revolves around a Syrian refugee 🌟 Concerns: bullying and physical altercation (the consequences are clear and put in place) 🌟 Summary: When that empty chair at the back of the class is filled, everything changes. There is so much mystery about Ahmet, the new student. He doesn't talk to anyone, has a special teacher, disappears during re

📚 My Name is Bana 📚 Author: Bana Alabed Illustrator: Naz Riaz Publisher: Salaam Reads @salaamreads @simonkids Age: 4-8 🌟 Islamic Content: Muslim Characters 🌟 Concerns: None 🌟 Summary: Bana is a little Syrian girl who has escaped war with her family. Bana asks her mother why she chose her name. And with through it Bana discovers so much more about strength, courage and hope. 🌟 Review: This powerful book beautifully encompasses the the tone, the voice and the innocence

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚 Title: Salih Author: Inda Ahmad Zahri Illustrator: Anne Ryan Publisher: Ford Street Publishing Age: 6-11 🌟 Islamic Content: Muslim Characters 🌟 Concerns: None 🌟 Summary: Little Salih carries his home on his back. He is set out on a journey to find a new home. Along the way he discovers a way to express the memories of what he has left behind. His journey takes Salih across the sea and into new horizons. 🌟 Review: Oh this book. This story. Grapples with

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚 Title: Samira Surfs Author: Rukhsana Guidroz Illustrator: Fahmida Azem Publisher: Kokila @penguinkids Age: 10+ 🌟 Islamic Content: Muslim characters and setting, Islam is mentioned but not the focal point, Ramadan 🌟 Concerns: Now that I'm older, I'm not supposed to swim, according to my faith.", death is discussed 🌟 Summary: Samira and her family are illegal Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh that are struggling to make a living. They live outside the gated

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚 Title: Escape From Syria Authors/Illustrators: Sumya Kullab, Jackie Roche, Mike Freiheit Publisher: Firefly Books Age: 13+ 🌟 Islamic Content: Muslim Family refugee story 🌟 Concerns: Graphic Imagery, violence, death, child marriage discussed 🌟 Summary: Amina recounts everything from the beginning: it all started with an explosion that destroyed their home. This loss caused her and her family to leave Syria for Lebanon. However, things didn't seem to be go

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚 Title: When Stars Are Scattered Author: Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed Illustrator: Victoria Jamieson/Iman Geddy Publisher: Penguin Random House Age: 10-13 🌟 Islamic content: 'Indeed after hardship comes ease.' 🌟 Concerns: khat is mentioned, bullying that turns into a physical altercation 🌟 Summary: After the killing of their father and their village is attacked, Omar and his non-verbal younger brother, Hassan are forced to flee their home with their