Saadia Faruqi

Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani-American author. Her debut book was a collection of short stories about life in Pakistan, titled Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage From Pakistan. The book was released in 2015. and NPR's Best Children's Books of 2020.

On August 11, 2020, the middle grade novel A Place at the Table was published, co-written by Faruqi and Laura Shovan. Food is an important theme in this novel, as a way to connect cultures, traditions and families. In 2021, A Place at the Table won the South Asia Book award highly commended title.

On October 6, 2020, Faruqi published her first solo middle grade novel A Thousand Questions about eleven-year-old Pakistani American girl Mimi who visits Pakistan during summer vacation to meet her grandparents. There, she meets servant girl Sakina, and they form an unlikely friendship across class lines. A Thousand Questions won honor at the 2021 South Asia Book Awards and was a Washington Post KidsPost book club pick for summer 2021. Further, it was a Best Children's Books of 2021 by Bank Street College of Education, and A Mighty Girl 2020 Book of the Year.

On September 7, 2021, Faruqi released Yusuf Azeem Is Not A Hero, a middle grade novel highlighting the attacks of 9/11. This book focuses solely on the experiences of the Muslim American community during and after 9/11, a perspective she felt was missing from other children's books about the attacks. This book highlights Islamophobia, racism, white supremacy and a host of other themes through the eyes of twelve-year-old Yusuf, whose small Texas town is commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the attacks. Included in the novel are journal entries by Yusuf's uncle Rahman, who was a young boy in 2001. Yusuf Azeem was one of School Library Journal's Best Middle Grade Novels in 2021.

Faruqi has also written nonfiction books for young readers, aimed at removing stereotypes of Muslims and presenting accurate information about their achievements. Included are Eid-al-Fitr Mad Libs, and The Wonders We Seek: Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape The World, co-written with her mother Aneesa Mumtaz.

Publications

Standalone books

Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage from Pakistan (2015, ) A Place at the Table (2020, Clarion Books, ) A Thousand Questions (2020, Quill Tree Books, ) Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero (2021, Quill Tree Books, ) The Wonders We Seek: Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape the World with Aneesa Mumtaz, illustrated by Saffa Khan (2022, Quill Tree Books, ) Rani's Remarkable Day, illustrated by Anoosha Syed (2023, Clarion Books, ) Saving Sunshine, illustrated by Shazleen Khan (2023, First Second Books)

Ali the Great series The Ali the Great series is illustrated by Debby Rahmalia.

Ali the Great and the Paper Airplane Flop (2023, Picture Window Books, ) Ali the Great and the Market Mishap (2023, Picture Window Books, ) Ali the Great and the Eid Surprise Party (2023, Picture Window Books, ISBN 978-1-6663-9389-7) Ali the Great and the Dinosaur Mistake (2023, Picture Window Books, ISBN 978-1-6663-9388-0)

Marya Khan series The Marya Khan series is a chapter book series about a spunky eight year old Marya and her Pakistani American family. Other prominent characters include her arch-enemy Alexa, her best friend Hanna, and her third grade teacher Ms. Piccolo. This series is perfect for grades 3-4. It is illustrated by Ani Bushry.

Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party (2022, Harry N. Abrams, ) Marya Khan and the Fabulous Jasmine Garden (2023, Amulet Books, ) Marya Khan and the Spectacular Fall Festival (2023, Amulet Books, ) Marya Khan and the Awesome Adventure Park (2023, Amulet Books, ISBN to come)

Must Love Pets series The Must Love Pets series is a lower middle grade series about a Pakistani American girl named Imaan who starts a petsitting business with her friends London and Olivia in order to convince her mother to let her keep a dog of her own. Each book in the series is about a different pet sitting client. Perfect for grades 3-5. Friends Fur-Ever (2022, Scholastic Paperbacks, ) Kitten Chaos (2022, Scholastic Paperbacks, ) Bunny Bonanza (2023, Scholastic Paperbacks, ) Dog's Best Friend (2023, Scholastic Paperbacks, )

Yasmin series The Yasmin series is Faruqi's most popular and best selling series. It features a seven year old Muslim girl named Yasmin, and her family, which includes her parents and grandparents. This is an early reader series for grades 1-2, and is illustrated by Hatem Aly. Some titles are also published in Spanish and French Canadian.

Yasmin the Builder (2018, ) Yasmin the Explorer (2018, ) Yasmin the Fashionista (2018, ) Yasmin the Painter (2018, ) Yasmin the Chef (2019, ) Yasmin the Superhero (2019, ) Yasmin the Teacher (2019, ) Yasmin the Zookeeper (2019, ISBN 978-1-5158-4581-2) Yasmin the Friend (2020, ) Yasmin the Gardener (2020, ) Yasmin the Soccer Star (2020, ) Yasmin the Writer (2020, ) Yasmin the Librarian (2021, ) Yasmin the Recycler (2021, ) Yasmin the Scientist (2021, ) Yasmin the Singer (2021, ) Yasmin the Detective (2022, ) Yasmin the Doctor (2022, ) Yasmin the Farmer (2022, ) Yasmin the Ice Skater (2022, )