Publishers Weekly
09/18/2023
Kareem—a Syrian Muslim 13-year-old—and his friends tag buildings to protest government oppression in Damascus, Syria. Kareem’s seventh grade cousin Samira, meanwhile, paints the banners that accompany her Allansdale, Mass., school’s Spirit Squad performances. Though Sam’s friends Layla, with whom she takes Arabic lessons at the Islamic Center, and schoolmate Ellie remind Sam that Spirit Squad leader and mean girl Cat “ruined your life in fourth grade,” Sam often abandons them both to hang out with the cool kids. When peaceful protests turn violent in Syria, Kareem’s parents send him to live with Sam’s family in the U.S. Sam and Kareem have always bonded over their love of graffiti, but at school, Kareem clashes with Cat’s brother Dylan, whom Sam has a crush on; xenophobic comments from Dylan about Syria, and Sam’s complicit silence, enrage Kareem. Soon, however, the cousins must come together to counter racism in Allansdale. High-stakes conflicts in the form of Kareem’s fears for those he left behind play powerfully against adolescent challenges, such as Sam’s emotionally vulnerable angst about fitting in, delivering a strongly paced tale. An author’s note concludes. Secondary characters read as white. Ages 8–12. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
A Children’s Book Council Children, Teacher, and Librarian Favorite, Grades 6-8 “A well-characterized novel offering insight into Syrian perspectives.”—Kirkus Reviews "High-stakes conflicts in the form of Kareem’s fears for those he left behind play powerfully against adolescent challenges, such as Sam’s emotionally vulnerable angst about fitting in, delivering a strongly paced tale."—Publishers Weekly "Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this novel parallels the struggles teens feel with loss and bullying situations to the oppression that citizens often feel when the government is deceitful. Preteens and teens will find this book relatable and real. An outstanding novel that hits its mark, demonstrating that young teens grapple with a gamut of emotions and situations yet are resilient enough to work through them and achieve success. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal STARRED Review “This is a must-read for those looking for more Arab and Muslim representation in middle-grade titles. Roumani skillfully weaves together two different points of view to create a powerful story of activism that captures the importance of standing up for yourself and advocating for others.” —Booklist “This is a powerful read.”—BookRiot
“…An important book—a book that shows how art and activism can change the way people see the world and see themselves.” –Rajani LaRocca, Newbury Honor and Walter Award-winning author of Red, White, and Whole
School Library Journal
★ 11/01/2023
Gr 4–7—In a book written in alternating voices, the two characters—Kareem, who lives in Damascus, Syria, and Samira (Sam), who lives in Allansdale, MA—are cousins with more in common than they realize. Kareem and his closest friends have been spray-painting graffiti speaking out against how the corrupt Syrian government is treating its people. They know they must graffiti quickly and quietly to avoid being caught and becoming one of the "disappeared" or worse, killed. In an effort to protect their son, Kareem's parents send him to live with his aunt and uncle in the United States. Sam is anxious to join Spirit Squad, but struggles because the leader is a bully and her best friend Ellie refuses to join her. Despite this, Sam is determined to incite school spirit through her artistic talents in writing and drawing. Disappointed that her best friend Sam has joined the Spirit Squad, Ellie becomes close to Kareem when the two embark on their own form of raising awareness through tagging with graffiti. Graffiti in Allansdale brings out two opposing sides throughout social media. Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this novel parallels the struggles teens feel with loss and bullying situations to the oppression that citizens often feel when the government is deceitful. Preteens and teens will find this book relatable and real. VERDICT An outstanding novel that hits its mark, demonstrating that young teens grapple with a gamut of emotions and situations yet are resilient enough to work through them and achieve success. Highly recommended.—Tracy Cronce
Kirkus Reviews
2023-09-09
Two cousins find common ground in their love of art and graffiti in this dual-perspective novel set on the verge of the Syrian revolution.
Samira is a seventh grade Syrian American Muslim girl living in small-town Massachusetts. She’s artistic and is particularly drawn to fonts and lettering. After her cousin Kareem is nearly caught spraying graffiti to protest the Syrian government, he’s sent from Damascus to stay with her family. Initially, the cousins clash. As the only student at her school who’s Arab or Muslim, Samira tries to blend in, going by Sam and staying quiet when her friends make ignorant, xenophobic comments. Kareem can’t understand Samira’s need to fit in. He befriends Ellie, Samira’s Jewish best friend, and the two decide to secretly graffiti the town using spray chalk as a way of drawing people’s attention to events in Syria. But as the graffiti divides their small community, Kareem and Samira find common ground and mutual empathy. The cousins grow, both individually and in tandem with their evolving relationship. Samira ultimately realizes who her true friends are, while Kareem finds a way to thrive where he is, despite his intense desire to return home. One event, in particular, realistically juxtaposes Kareem’s safe new life with the growing dangers for his family in Syria. As readers follow the characters’ evolution, they’ll clearly absorb the message that it is worth it to stand up for what you believe in.
A well-characterized novel offering insight into Syrian perspectives. (author’s note, glossary, poem) (Fiction. 8-12)
