The Magical Reality of Nadia (Magical Reality of Nadia #1)

In this entertaining story by comedian Youseff and author Daly (the Flower Girls series), fact-loving Nadia Youssef, who's Egyptian American, eagerly begins sixth grade wearing a necklace she bought during her summer trip to Cairo. When an animated man shows up in her notebook, though, Nadia discovers that the necklace's antique hippo amulet has for 2,000 years imprisoned quirky teacher Titi. The duo realizes that he can only be freed if he assists Nadia seven times; via magical adventures to ancient Egypt rendered in Holgate's (the Last Kids on Earth series) comiclike illustrations, Titi supports Nadia through the turbulence of her first weeks at school. Tensions rise between Nadia and her friends as they take on an immigration-related project, and she struggles to deal with a school bully, who makes ignorant, increasingly pointed jokes about her culture. Smart, confident Nadia is guided by a strong sense of right and wrong; aided by Titi's lessons and wisdom from her parents, she faces these challenges with bravery, resilience, and compassion. In this heartfelt tale, Youseff and Daly strike a solid balance between magical worldbuilding, witty humor, and a unifying anti-xenophobic theme. Ages 8-12. (Feb.)

Twelve-year-old Nadia is proud of her Egyptian heritage, loves school, and is ready to rock sixth grade flanked by her friends in the Nerd Squad. But when she discovers a magical teacher in an amulet she brought home from Egypt as a souvenir, everything starts to change. All she wanted was to create a winning presentation for the question, "What makes America, America?" Instead, a new kid comes between her and her BFF, she's bullied, and even the Nerd Squad is unhappy with her. Can Nadia find a way to restore her friendships? This lighthearted read bubbles with jokes, magic, comics, and the ever-persistent issues of friendship and personal identity. And yet, the cheerful tone belies deep messages of acceptance and understanding that are brought beautifully to life. The final message readers take home, "Unless you are Native American, we all have an immigrant story in our past," clearly resounds throughout this expertly crafted lesson disguised as a fantastical story about middle school life. VERDICT Whimsically packaged into a relatable tale, the message to celebrate diversity and identity comes through loud and clear in this must-buy for collections serving young readers.—Emily Beasley, Omaha Public Sch., NE

"Readers will cheer for Nadia as she responds to prejudice and affirms her identity." -Kirkus Reviews

"Youssef based the novel on his daughter's experience moving to the U.S. from Egypt, and the labor of love comes through, sweet and silly. The bullying on display isn't the threatening kind; the new kid is popular and often terrifically funny, but his hurtful humor cuts down those around him. Nadia isn't perfect, but she handles the hurdles with grace, making this a poignant ode to the American ideals of blended culture and community." -Booklist

"Humorous black-and-white illustrations, including some comic pages, draw in even the non-bookworms." -Parents Magazine