Reem Faruqi
Reem Faruqi is the award-winning author of Unsettled, Golden Girl, Anisa’s International Day, Call Me Adnan, Swimming Toward a Dream, Do You Even Know Me?, The House Without Lights, and Zarina Divided. She is also the author of the ALA Notable picture books Lailah’s Lunchbox and Amira’s Picture Day as well as the acclaimed Milloo’s Mind and I Can Help. Of Pakistani descent, Reem immigrated to Peachtree City, Georgia, in the United States from the United Arab Emirates when she was thirteen years old. Reem is also a teacher and photographer who loves to doodle. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and four daughters.
Books by Reem
★"A simultaneously gentle and gripping story led by a strong-willed protagonist eager to advocate for herself in a changing world." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
★"This poignant novel in verse follows 11-year-old Zarina before, during, and after India's partition... An engaging read with realistic characters that brings the time period to life in new ways." - Booklist, starred review
★"Alam’s spellbinding illustrations of suburban tranquility are populated with snow-laden rooftops, multicolored twinkle lights, and feelings of loving camaraderie in this holiday tale." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Soft illustrations feature a joyful Muslim family and welcoming neighbors in a gentle celebration of religious diversity." —The Horn Book
★"With colorful, appealing, cartoon illustrations and a text that reads aloud well, this touching story encourages kids not only to accept people from different cultures and religions but to stand up for themselves when they're being bullied." - Booklist, starred review
"[Reem Faruqi] highlights both the dangers [Yusra Mardini] faced and her 'one breath at a time' determination to keep her Olympian dream alive."
—Booklist
"A testament to the power of pursuing one's dreams despite forced displacement."—Kirkus Reviews
"Faruqi’s cogent present-tense narrative summarizes Yusra’s refugee-to-Olympian story with short sentences that accentuate the tale’s tension, while the refrain, 'One breath at a time' anchors readers as they follow the teen’s astonishing journey."—BCCB
"Faruqi renders this tender story of loss with a deft hand, employing vivid details surrounding Adnan’s Pakistani Muslim identity... and nuanced characterizations to present a tear-jerking ode to family." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Faruqi depicts strong community bonds, seamlessly interweaving Adnan’s Pakistani Muslim identity... an emotional tale of a family’s grief and healing, full of courage and hope." - Kirkus Reviews
★“Powerful prose underscores Milloo’s determination and the importance of gender equity in education... The detailed art invites readers to linger over each page, poring over collaged outfits and patterns, all of which evoke a strong sense of place.” - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Genuine, sweet, and relatable... you can’t help but root for driven Anisa as she problems solves her way out of more than one sticky situation with sometimes unexpected–and joyful–results.”-Maleeha Siddiqui, author of Barakah Beats
“A winsome tale starring a determined young protagonist.” - Kirkus Reviews
★“Faruqi’s use of free verse will captivate readers with its metaphors that emphasize feelings and details of daily life…Qureshi’s floral and paisley spot art and illustrations of hands with henna designs add delicate beauty. Lyrical. Hopeful. Poignant.” - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★“This skillfully imagined novel is immediately absorbing. Faruqi’s lilting lines have plenty to savor, but her pages turn quickly, drawing readers easily into Aafiyah’s story… Golden Girl cements [Faruqi’s] place as one of the brightest rising stars in children’s literature.” - BookPage, starred review
"Faruqi seamlessly weaves in elements of Aafiyah’s Islamic identity while capturing telling details about Aafiyah, her family, and other characters…A story about family, friendship, change, and hope." - Kirkus Reviews
★“Beautiful and delicate details in both text and illustration situate readers physically in the school’s art classroom and autumnal playground, mentally in Zahra’s world full of special cooking spices like cumin and turmeric, and emotionally in her hesitation and growth. . . . An illuminating glimpse into how a young child learns to trust her instinct and be kind to others.” -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★“From the author of Lailah’s Lunchbox (2015) and Amira’s Picture Day (2021), this perceptive picture book could lead to discussions about handling peer pressure, dealing with ethical predicaments, and learning from one’s mistakes.”-Booklist, starred review
★ "Faruqi’s prose is sweetly descriptive ('Tiny mirrors on her blue shalwar kameez shone happily in the sunlight'), and jewel-toned digital illustrations by Azim have a joyful, comics-style sensibility, with meticulous attention paid to the attire of the diverse crowd at the masjid. An endearing portrait of one child’s specific cultural concern, with universal appeal for any reader ever caught between conflicting commitments."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★ "Faruqi effectively builds up the excitement to celebrate Eid and balances it with Amira’s distress at missing Picture Day—readers will see that both are important. The characters and interactions at the masjid are real, reinforcing a community celebrating Eid, and so are Amira’s interactions with her classmates. Azim’s illustrations pair well with Faruqi’s words, focusing on facial expression as well as body language to highlight the mixed emotions: excitement, sadness, surprise. There is much diversity among the people at the masjid, including hijab styles, other attire, and racial presentation. . . . Sweet and sympathetic." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“If you’re looking for an introduction to Ramadan for young readers (ages 5 to 8), consider this picture book. On the first year she is able to participate in Ramadan, Lailah finds herself in a new country, far from her native Abu Dhabi. She is excited to fast, but nervous that her classmates will not understand. With the help of a teacher and a librarian, she learns how she can explain Ramadan to her fellow students and make friends who are respectful of her culture.” - Concepción de León, New York Times
“A lovely classroom-friendly introduction to the Muslim month of fasting!” - Ruhksana Khan, award-winning author and storyteller