Sadiq and the Desert Star

by Siman Nuurali, Anjan Sarkar (Illustrator)

Overview

When Sadiq's father leaves on a business trip, he worries he'll miss his baba too much. But Baba has a story for Sadiq: the story of the Desert Star. Learning about Baba's passion for the stars sparks Sadiq's interest in outer space. But can Sadiq find others who are willing to help him start the space club of his dreams?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781515845652
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	08/01/2019
Series:	Sadiq
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	73,025
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Siman Nuurali grew up in Kenya. She now lives in Minnesota. Siman and her family are Somali— just like Sadiq and his family! She and her five children love to play badminton and board games together. Siman works at Children’s Hospital and in her free time she enjoys writing and reading.

Interviews

Somali American main character written by an #ownvoices author;,Focus on friendship, making connections with classmates and neighborhood kids, and trying new things;,Highlights a vibrant and diverse community and offers important representation of a supportive Somali family;,Perfectly leveled at grade 3;

Editorial Reviews

My daughter read the story, and had lots of questions about Berbera, Somalia, where Sadiq was from. . . .My daughter did love the facts about Somalia that was included, as well as the new Somali terms she got to practice. For example, in Somali, a grandfather is awoowe, but in Libyan we use jidu. I also loved the glossary in the back for the astronomy terms, plus the sections that encouraged kids to talk about and write down their thoughts about the book.

A Crafty Arab

This new series, featuring a Somali American Minnesota kid, was an instant hit at my school. HUGE need for this series to exist.

Teen Librarian Toolbox

From Siman Nuurali comes fun-loving third grader, Sadiq, and his lively Somali American family. . . .This series is ideal for emergent readers.

Booksource Banter

In this easy chapter book with friendly cartoony illustrations, a Minnesotan boy falls in love with astronomy on a field trip to a planetarium. He and some of his classmates establish a school Space Club then and there. . . .In and out of the story are woven references to the boy’s Somali culture; his father tells stories of caravans navigating by the stars, and his mother and sister make and sell sambuus (samosas) for the bake sale.

The Planetary Society

06/01/2019

Gr 2–4—After visiting an observatory with his school class, Sadiq and a few of his classmates form a space club. They want to buy a telescope so they can spend more time looking at the stars and planets. When buying a telescope proves too expensive, the children make plans to build one instead. They work together to provide food for the school fundraiser to earn money for supplies to build their telescope. Sadiq's family is from Somalia, and references to the country, language, and traditions are blended into the text. A story told to Sadiq by his Baba (father) inspires his interest in the stars before the field trip. Full-color illustrations, a glossary, facts about Somalia, and a list of Somali terms are included along with activities to extend learning. VERDICT A pleasant, informative read that blends family and STEM themes; recommended for general purchase.—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT

School Library Journal