Now that she is ten, Lailah is delighted that she can fast during the month of Ramadan like her family and her friends in Abu Dhabi, but finding a way to explain to her teacher and classmates in Atlanta is a challenge until she gets some good advice fromthe librarian, Mrs. Scrabble. - (Baker & Taylor)

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.Fountas & Pinnell Level N - (Tilbury House Pub)

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. - (Tilbury House Pub)

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.

Fountas & Pinnell Level N

*2019 Daybreak Children's Picture Book Award -- Recognizing Muslim Women's Contributions to Literature*

*Notable Social Studies Trade Book For Young People 2016, a cooperative Project of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children’s Book Council*
*Featured Book of the Month, Anti-Defamation League*
*American Library Association Notable Book for Children 2016*

*Skipping Stones Honor 2016*

*International Literacy Association Choices Reading List*

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.

Reem Faruqi based this book on her own experiences as a young Muslim girl immigrating to the United States. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.Lea Lyon lives in California, where she paints and teaches art. She has illustrated several other picture books for Tilbury House. - (Tilbury House Pub)

Booklist Reviews

Last year, Lailah longed to fast for Ramadan along with her two best friends, but her mother said she was too young. This year, she has permission to fast and looks forward to leaving her lunchbox at home. But since her family has moved from Abu Dhabi to Peachtree City, Georgia, Lailah finds it awkward and difficult to explain her fast to others at school. After she summons the courage to confide in the librarian and her teacher, she finds the support she needs. In an author's note, Faruqi comments on the story's autobiographical roots and on what Ramadan means to her. The writing is sound and, though the figure drawing is occasionally awkward, the characters are nicely individualized in the expressive watercolor illustrations. This purposeful picture book will help fill the need for more stories reflecting the experiences of Muslim children in North America. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.