Saving Sunshine

Tween twins with a strained relationship must overcome their differences to save the day--and each other--in this moving graphic novel by Faruqi (the Ali the Great series) and debut creator Khan. Muslim Pakistani American twins Zara and Zeeshan have been bickering nonstop as they pack for their family trip from New York to Key West, Fla. When their tension--exacerbated by Islamophobic experiences at the airport--reaches a boiling point, their exasperated parents confiscate the twins' phones until they can "figure out how to be friends." Arriving in Florida without their devices, Zara and Zeesh must work together if they want to enjoy their trip and get their phones back. Collaborating on a mission to save a sick turtle allows the siblings to demonstrate each other's individual passions, resulting in newfound connection and understanding. Khan's digital illustrations mimic the free-flowing feel of watercolor; shifts between soft pastels and saturated primary colors evoke changes in mood, and creative angles, detailed expressions, and dynamic paneling portray characters' interactions and relationships. Poignant flashbacks to the twins' tumultuous childhood, as well as their present-day encounters with racism, supplement this stirring and uplifting story of family and identity. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)

Gr 4-7--Muslim twins Zeeshan and Zara's mother is recognized as pediatrician of the year, and the Aziz family must travel from New York to a conference in Key West. Along the way, the twins face microaggressions and discrimination from others, while battling an inability to get along with each other due to diverging interests and perceived slights. When their bickering leads to lost phone privileges and they need find entertainment in each other's company, Zeeshan and Zara aren't sure they're going to survive the trip. But a chance discovery of Sunshine, a sick loggerhead turtle stranded on the beach, presents the twins with an opportunity to put their differences aside in order to nurse it back to health. Sunshine's story quietly takes a backseat to the twins' still-evolving relationship. Despite multiple conflicts being present, the tension never comes to a head as they are quickly resolved, while character growth feels believable though perhaps rushed. Although discrimination at the hands of airport personnel is recognized as harmful, microaggressions are largely dismissed, as the twins are urged to avoid anger. The stunning artwork is dominated by soft sea-inspired watercolor blues and greens in the present, while flashbacks are signaled with sepia. A smattering of animal and space facts, representing the interests of the twins, respectively, are shared via fact boxes meant to appear as social media posts. VERDICT A fine addition for collections seeking representation of discordant sibling relationships.--Alea Perez

A beautiful, realistic, and important story focusing on family and sibling bonds.