Saving Sunshine

Eisner-nominated
A 2024 Bank Street Best Books of the Year
Nominated for the 2024 Jane Addams Children's Book Award
A Kirkus Best Book of 2023
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids 2023
A YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens selection
A 2024 Texas Library Association Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Selection

From Saadia Faruqi and Shazleen Khan comes a relatable, funny, and heart-wrenchingly honest graphic novel about Muslim American siblings who must learn how to stop fighting and support each other in a world that is often unkind.

It's hard enough being a kid without being teased for a funny sounding name or wearing a hijab.

It's even harder when you're constantly fighting your sibling--and Zara and Zeeshan really can't stand each other. During a family trip to Florida, when the bickering, shoving, and insults reach new heights of chaos, their parents sentence them to the worst possible fate-- each other's company! But when the twins find an ailing turtle, it presents a rare opportunity for teamwork--if the two can put their differences aside at last.

Author: Saadia Faruqi
Publisher: First Second
Published: 09/05/2023
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.08lbs
Size: 8.25h x 5.86w x 0.74d
ISBN: 9781250793805
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.7
Point Value: 1
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 523215 / Saving Sunshine


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 07/10/2023
School Library Journal 08/01/2023 pg. 90
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2023

About the Author

Saadia Faruqi was born in Pakistan and moved to the United States when she was 22 years old. She writes the Yasmin series and popular middle-grade novels such as Yusuf Azeem Is Not A Hero. She was featured by Oprah Magazine as a woman making a difference in her community. Besides writing books for kids, Saadia also loves reading, binge-watching her favorite shows, and taking naps. She lives in Houston with her family.

Shazleen Khan is an award-winning London based Illustrator, Writer and Designer, specializing in Narrative and Sequential Illustration. Shazleen began self-publishing their graphic novel work Buuza!! in 2011 and has since gone on to achieve a First Class Bachelor's (hons) degree in Illustration (2017) and a Master's in Children's Books and Graphic Novels (2018). They currently work as a freelance Illustrator while doing part-time teaching work.