Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story

Author

Reem Faruqi

Illustrator

Lea Lyon

Publication Date

May 01, 2015

Genre / Grade Band

Fiction / 2^nd − 3^rd

Language

English

Format

Picture Book

Hardcover

Description

Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home, and missing her old friends. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t join them in the lunchroom.

Lailah solves her problem with help from the school librarian and her teacher and in doing so learns that she can make new friends who respect her beliefs. This gentle, moving story from first-time author Reem Faruqi comes to life in Lea Lyon’s vibrant illustrations. Lyon uses decorative arabesque borders on intermittent spreads to contrast the ordered patterns of Islamic observances with the unbounded rhythms of American school days.

Publication date

May 01, 2015

Genre

Fiction

ISBN-13

9780884484318

Lexile Measure

590

Guided Reading Level

Publisher

Tilbury House Publishers

BISAC categories

Library of Congress categories

Schools
Moving, Household
Customs and practices
Muslims
Fasts and feasts
Islam
Middle Eastern Americans
Ramadan

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—Lailah recently moved from Abu Dhabi to Peachtree City, GA, and while she misses her friends back in the Middle East, she is very excited to be old enough to fast during Ramadan. However, being new is one thing, but being different is another. What if her class doesn't know what Ramadan is? What if she is the only one fasting? Lailah falters when it is time to give Mrs. Penworth a note asking that she be excused from lunch, and she has to endure the tempting smells of food and kind offers of her classmates to share lunch. After escaping to the foodless library, the school librarian encourages Lailah to write down her feelings and share them with her teacher. After all, who knows what could come of sharing her culture? The large, often full-page watercolor illustrations provide gentle details that add depth to the text. A note and glossary round out the story, giving context from the author's life and information about Islamic culture. Fans of Patricia Polacco will enjoy this heartfelt tale. VERDICT A solid addition for libraries in need of modern Ramadan stories.—Brittany Staszak, St. Charles Public Library, IL

Reem Faruqi

Reem Faruqi is the award-winning children's book author of Lailah's Lunchbox, which is based on her own experiences as a young Muslim girl immigrating to the United States. She also wrote Amira's Picture Day and I Can Help, and two middle grade novels, Golden Girl and Unsettled. Her award-winning books have received many starred reviews and appeared on various "Best of" lists, including Amira's Picture Day, which was selected as an ALA Notable Book for 2022. After surviving Atlanta traffic and the school drop off, Reem spends her days trying to write, but instead gets distracted easily by her camera and buttery sunlight. She lives with her husband and three daughters. You can find her at www.ReemFaruqi.com.

Asma Enayeh, like Yusra, grew up in Damascus, Syria, and is honored and thrilled to illustrate a story so close to her heart. A full-time children's book artist, Asma has illustrated several previous books including Olive and Charlotte, a tale of two princess sisters, and The Unbreakable Thread about the bond between a mother and child. Besides creating art for her next book, Asma enjoys crafting sweet treats in the kitchen and playing her sport of choice: tennis. An enthusiastic traveler, Asma has visited more than 27 countries, and currently lives in Dubai with her husband and two daughters. Find her online at www.asmaoriginal.com.

Skipping Stones Honor Book

Daybreak Children's Picture Book Award

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