10/31/2022
A baking enthusiast turned alchemist battles both necromancers and his distaste for science in this duology starter by debut author Jreije. Having left Lebanon for America five years ago, sixth grader Shad Hadid lives in Portland, Maine, with his grandmother, Teta, after his father and grandfather died in a car accident. Now, Shad faces bullying from former friend Sarah Decker, a white math and science whiz, and spends his time visiting the local Arabic bakery and cooking for Teta. Entering an alley to elude Sarah, he encounters a jungle, a necromancer, and an alchemist—and learns that he’s an alchemist, too. When he enrolls in Alexandria Academy to learn more of his craft, he finds that the school, housed in the famous Library of Alexandria, now teaches only math and science, and any mention of alchemy is forgotten by the hearer. While meeting friends and grappling with the intersections of alchemy, baking, and science, Shad uncovers a necromancers’ plot involving an immortality-granting elixir. A warm addition to the magical school genre, this duology opener foregrounds developing friendships among the mostly Arab or North African student body, Shad’s pride in his heritage and talents, and above all, his funny, sensitive voice. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary. (Oct.)
"Alexandria Academy offers a fresh take on magic schools with dark secrets, and Shad and his friends, most of whom are Middle Eastern and North African, are engaging. A refreshing adventure featuring family, friendship, and the power of creating new recipes." — Kirkus Reviews
"A magical and enthralling adventure. George Jreije conjures a truly magnificent tale of intrigue, loss, humor, and, most importantly, the courage of a young boy to fully recognize his potential as a powerful alchemist. I can't WAIT for Arab boys to get the representation they deserve!" — Jamar J. Perry, author of Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms
"In this action-packed, funny, heartfelt story, Shad stands up to everyone from middle school bullies to necromancers. Here comes a brave new hero that kids will adore!" — Katie Zhao, author of The Dragon Warrior and the Winnie Zeng series
“Shad pulls readers in with his sharp wit and delicious baked goods, taking them on an action-packed adventure filled with intrigue and hijinks. Get ready to dive into the immersive world of alchemy!” — Adrianna Cuevas, author of the Pura Belpré Honor book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez .
"Shad Hadid is a hero unlike any other. His journey of friendship and self-discovery satisfied me as much as a good dessert." — Sarah Kapit, author of Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!
"A heartfelt adventure rooted deeply in culture, Shad Hadid tugged at my heartstrings, made me laugh, and dazzled me with the ultra cool magic-science of alchemy!" — Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 NYT Bestselling Author of the Iron Widow and Zachary Ying series
"Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria is a heart-warming, mouth-watering tale packed to the brim with humor, action, and culinary delights. Alchemizing the magic school trope with traditional Lebanese culture, author George Jreije creates a rich one-of-a-kind world that readers won’t want to leave. Like a delicious home-cooked meal, this book is straight from the heart, a touching tale about family and friendship that is sure to resonate with children and parents alike." — Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil
"This fast-paced middle-grade fantasy from debut author Jreije introduces an immediately likable protagonist in Shad, whose humor and love for his family resonate throughout the novel and whose interest in baking is delightful as well as useful. . . Readers will long to return to the Alexandria Academy." — Booklist
"A warm addition to the magical school genre, this duology opener foregrounds developing friendships among the mostly Arab or North African student body, Shad’s pride in his heritage and talents, and above all, his funny, sensitive voice." — Publishers Weekly
"In this action-packed, funny, heartfelt story, Shad stands up to everyone from middle school bullies to necromancers. Here comes a brave new hero that kids will adore!"
Shad pulls readers in with his sharp wit and delicious baked goods, taking them on an action-packed adventure filled with intrigue and hijinks. Get ready to dive into the immersive world of alchemy!” ?
"A heartfelt adventure rooted deeply in culture, Shad Hadid tugged at my heartstrings, made me laugh, and dazzled me with the ultra cool magic-science of alchemy!"
"A magical and enthralling adventure, George Jreije conjures a truly magnificent tale of intrigue, loss, humor, and, most importantly, the courage of a young boy to fully recognize his potential as a powerful alchemist. I can't WAIT for Arab boys to get the representation they deserve!"
"Shad Hadid is a hero unlike any other. His journey of friendship and self-discovery satisfied me as much as a good dessert."
Twelve-year-old Shad Hadid, who is brought to life in Ali Nasser’s performance, lives in Maine but seeks out the comfort of his homeland in Lebanese cooking and baking. A fateful summer of discovering his family’s secret roots in alchemy, along with a personal tragedy, precede his invitation to study the craft at Alexandria Academy. But tragedy and nefarious plots await. Nasser provides the youthful energy needed to portray a 12-year old boy whose cheerful spirit never lets the bad get the best of him. In keeping with the intended audience, Nasser portrays villains with cartoonish evilness, making the audiobook as funny as intended. Plus, the Lebanese words are expertly pronounced throughout the production. S.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2023 - AudioFile
Twelve-year-old Shad Hadid, who is brought to life in Ali Nasser’s performance, lives in Maine but seeks out the comfort of his homeland in Lebanese cooking and baking. A fateful summer of discovering his family’s secret roots in alchemy, along with a personal tragedy, precede his invitation to study the craft at Alexandria Academy. But tragedy and nefarious plots await. Nasser provides the youthful energy needed to portray a 12-year old boy whose cheerful spirit never lets the bad get the best of him. In keeping with the intended audience, Nasser portrays villains with cartoonish evilness, making the audiobook as funny as intended. Plus, the Lebanese words are expertly pronounced throughout the production. S.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2023 - AudioFile
2022-07-27
After things didn’t work out with his hostile stepfather and stepsiblings, Shad left Lebanon with his father and grandparents to start over in Maine. Since his father and grandfather were killed in a car crash, it’s been just him and Teta, his grandmother. Eleven-year-old Shad spends his time baking new concoctions, staring in the windows of the only Arabic bakery in town, and dodging his bully (and one-time friend), Sarah Decker, a White girl with xenophobic parents. When he stumbles into an alley behind the bakery that he shouldn’t have been able to see, Shad learns that he is descended from alchemists. Eager to learn more, he enrolls in the Alexandria Academy only to find that they dismiss alchemy. Even worse, Sarah and Yakoub, his menacing stepbrother, are also students there. Clearly, it will be up to Shad to restore the alchemists to greatness and to deliver the school from the clutches of necromancers who seek to discover the key to immortality. As Shad makes friends, confronts bullies, and learns how alchemy is like both baking and science, he grows and gains confidence in himself. Alexandria Academy offers a fresh take on magic schools with dark secrets, and Shad and his friends, most of whom are Middle Eastern and North African, are engaging.
A refreshing adventure featuring family, friendship, and the power of creating new recipes. (Fantasy. 8-12)
