Farah Rocks Fifth Grade
By Susan Muaddi Darraj, Illustrator: Ruaida Mannaa
Meet fifth-grader Farah Hajjar also known as Farah Rocks!
Readers will identify with her hard work, sense of wonder and mistake-making ways. · A new chapter book series featuring an Arab-American main character! ·
Really cute and heartwarming story about family and friends · A strong female main character that stands up against bullying · Includes a glossary with Arabic terms
Farah and her best friend, Allie Liu, are getting excited to turn in their applications to the Magnet Academy, where they both hope to attend sixth grade. But when new girl Dana Denver shows up, Farah's world is turned upside down. As Dana starts bullying Farah's little brother, Samir, Farah begins to second-guess her choice to leave him behind at Harbortown Elementary/Middle School.
Determined to handle it on her own, Farah comes up with a plan--a plan that involves lying to those closest to her. Will her lies catch up with her, or can Farah find a way to defeat the bully and rock fifth grade?
Fits a need for more diverse children's literature--there are very few books with Arab-American main characters; #ownvoices author Susan Muaddi Darraj lends authenticity to the characters and culture; This is the first book in a series; Addresses bullying and learning challenges in a realistic manner.
About the Author
Susan Muaddi Darraj is an award-winning author of more than ten books, including two short story collections. She is an Associate Professor of English at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland, and she also teaches creative writing at Johns Hopkins University and Fairfield University. A native Philadelphian, she currently lives in Baltimore. She loves books, coffee, and baseball, and she’s mildly obsessed with stationery supplies.
Illustrator and graphic designer Ruaida Mannaa completed her undergraduate studies at the Universidad del Norte in her hometown in Colombia. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She grew up in a multicultural family, surrounded by different languages, loud parties, and delicious food, and she finds great inspiration for her art in culture and cultural exchange.
Publisher : Capstone Press; Illustrated edition 2020
Language : English
Hardcover : 144 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1496583390
Reading age : 8 - 12 years