March 1, 2021
Gr 1-5-At eight years old, Hannah's family says she is too young to fast from dawn to sunset through the month of Ramadan, but Dada Jaan has an idea of how Hannah can help. He says that Ramadan is a reminder to Muslims to help those in need and helping neighbors is worth the world. In her independent actions in school and at home, the girl finds that helping is more difficult than it seems. At the end of Ramadan, celebrating with her religious and ethnically diverse community, Hannah wonders what, if any, impact her actions have made and whether it is enough. Human rights activist, attorney, and former candidate for Virginia State Senate Rashid's narrative shows the positive and local action children can take and the wisdom and kindness gained through learning from elders. Jaleel's palette of saturated pinks, purples, yellows, and aqua conveys the passage of time through the month while tying in common Islamic geometric patterns and decor. Language and visual markers indicate Hannah and her family are South Asian and an author's note describes Eid with family and community in Pakistan and in the United States. Though this narrative is accessible to all Muslims and non-Muslim readers, it particularly reflects Rashid's Ahmadiyya Muslim values in service to humanity, peace, and love of mankind. VERDICT A Ramadan narrative that inspires action and reflection for all readers. Purchase for all collections.-Ariana Sani Hussain, The Blake Sch., Wayzata, MN
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 15, 2021
Eight-year-old Hannah is too young to fast, but she's not too young to learn about making the world a better place. It's the holy month of Ramadan, so Hannah wakes up with her family before dawn to eat sehri even though Dada Jaan tells her fasting is for grown-ups--instead, her grandfather tells her, she can celebrate Ramadan "by saving the world." This seems a tall order, but a full month of practice shows her that she can do her part. Grandfather and granddaughter visit the soup kitchen and donate clothes to a homeless shelter. Hannah helps her friends at school, sometimes when they see and thank her but also when they don't. And she plays with a new girl in the neighborhood. When Eid comes around at the end of the month, Hannah isn't sure if she's been successful. But assurance from Dada Jaan and a multifaith celebration make it the best Eid ever. With her ups and downs and uncertain moments, Hannah offers children an accessible vehicle for learning about the character-building aspects of Ramadan and of Islam in general. While the story is text heavy, its abundant food for thought will be worth returning to year after year. Jaleel's bright, animation-style illustrations feature a diverse cast and thoughtful cultural details that enrich the setting. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 73.2% of actual size.) A sweet addition to holiday collections. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)
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March 15, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 It's the first day of Ramadan, and Hannah Noor is excited to participate in the month's traditions, including fasting. But her grandfather, Dada Jaan, saying that she is too young to go without food or drink from sunrise to sunset, has other plans for her. Ramadan is a time for generosity--a practice that Hannah learns is not as easy as it sounds. Dada Jaan calls it "saving the world," and he serves as her role model and guide. Hannah learns that helping others can sometimes be both inconvenient and pleasantly surprising. Acts of selflessness are encouraged in the Muslim tradition, especially during Ramadan, and readers will learn, like Hannah, that getting credit for being selfless is not the right motivation. This message is repeated so that it will not be lost on readers. A welcome addition to books about Muslims in the U.S. that can be paired with M. O. Yuksel's In My Mosque (2021).
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