Call Me Adnan
by Reem Faruqi (Author)
For fans of Planet Omar and The Ethan I Was Before, award-winning Pakistani author Reem Faruqi of Unsettled delivers a middle grade novel in verse about table tennis player Adnan, who dreams of the championship and a fun-filled family trip to Florida. But when tragedy strikes, he and his family must cope with a terrible loss and come together as one again. This poignant story about a Muslim family learning to heal is hope-filled and moving.
Adnan Zakir loves table tennis. He's also colorblind, left-handed, and has a fondness for the aviation alphabet. He's super close with his sister, Aaliyah, who is a great dancer and memorizer of Quran, and he loves his little toddler brother Rizwan, who only wants to grow up and play table tennis like his big brother. All Adnan dreams of is making it to the Ultimate Table Tennis Championship in Florida, and if he qualifies for the tournament, he knows he will get to spend the Eid holiday with his cousins! But when the family travels there, unthinkable tragedy strikes, and Adnan swears he'll never play table tennis ever again. Slowly, he and his family must learn to make peace and move forward, as a family.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
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Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly
In stirring, lilting verse, Faruqi (Golden Girl) delivers a heartbreaking novel about grief and moving forward in which a tween attempts to cope with the death of a loved one. Effervescent 12-year-old Adnan Zakir knows exactly who he is: an avid table tennis player, a loved member of his tight-knit Muslim family, and big brother to and frequent caretaker for his toddler brother, Riz. Excited to participate in a prestigious table tennis tournament in Orlando, he's looking forward to his family traveling from their Atlanta hometown to visit relatives during Eid. But when Riz drowns in the pool at their rented house, Adnan wrestles with guilt ("Abu always says, / Watch out for your baby brother./ But I didn't watch him.../ and now he's gone") and feelings of loneliness, and struggles to find joy in his passions. Faruqi renders this tender story of loss with a deft hand, employing vivid details surrounding Adnan's Pakistani Muslim identity--including sensate depictions of Eid celebrations, attending masjid, and Riz's funeral--and nuanced characterizations to present a tear-jerking ode to family. Swimming resources and a glossary conclude. Ages 8-12. (June)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
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.JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
JUV032000 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | General
Novels in verse
Grief
Pakistani Americans
Novels
Table tennis
