Thanks NetGalley and Capstone for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Meet Farah Hajjar! Her last name means "Rocks" in Arabic, and so she's known to her friends as Farah Rocks. With a rock-hard will, Farah takes on tough parts of being a kid, including bullying, academic pressure, caring for a sibling with special needs, and friendship troubles. Everyone will identify with her hard work, sense of wonder, and search for confidence and all the fun and mistake-making along the way.



For ages 8-12. New series by debut, and #ownvoices author.
This is a must read! An interesting and fun way showing how to handle oneself in any situation.

Holy Hummus!! This was a great middle grade story centering around bullying and (lack of) communication with adults. Farah Hajjar (which is Arabic for rocks) is a brilliant 5th grader, very hopeful to be accepted to a local magnet school with her best friend, Allie. However, she’s also fiercely protective of her little brother, Samir. So when the new bus bully begins poking fun at both her and Samir, Farah decides to overhaul her life plans to make sure she’ll be at the same school next year — close to her brother so that he can be safe. This was one of those stories I kept thinking, “Just go tell your parents. Tell a teacher. Go to the office and tell one of the administrators!!” But no. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work out the way you hoped. Sometimes kids sometimes have to learn about communication the hard way. And as we witness in Farah Rocks Fifth Grade, sometimes the adults have to learn the same lesson about communication. With a positive, feel-good ending, this story will pull at the heartstrings. I was very pleased to know there’s a book #2 coming out. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Oh, and don’t miss the back pages where you’ll find Farah’s hummus recipe. I love hummus, so I just HAD to try it out. I like mine a little stronger in taste, so I added a large helping of garlic to mine. But this simple and mild recipe would be a fun way to introduce hummus to young readers who’ve not tried it, yet. NOTE: My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a delightful and fun read. It leaves you with a smile on your face and also talks about good teachings like bullying and how bullying can’t always be physical but also emotional and silent. Well written with really great characters and an overall positive experience!

I really loved FARAH ROCKS FIFTH GRADE! Farah is an endearing character: she loves her family, takes good care of her little brother, loves to learn, and stands up for what is right. In this story, which I hope is the first of more books about Farah, she is struggling with a bully - the worst kind, because this bully knows how to play innocent with adults. When the new kid on the bus targets Farah’s little brother, and the adults she tries to talk to don’t listen, Farah takes matters into her own hands to protect her brother. Unfortunately, her secret mission begins to go very wrong, and Farah finally must ask for help.
The story is written from Farah’s point of view, giving us full access to her feelings and reactions, and yet as readers we are also able to see some of the things that she can’t yet. I think this would be an excellent book for a class readaloud or book club. At 144 pages, it is accessible to many readers, and I loved that Farah’s ethnicity and faith are part of her story, but not the center of it. The glossary of Arab terms and her father’s struggle with certain English words will build understanding in readers, and the recipe for Farah’s hummus at the end of the book looks delicious- and easy enough to do in a classroom!

Farah is a very bright and caring fifth grader who is excited to leave behind her current school and go to Magnet Academy with her best friend. When the new girl Dana begins to bully Farah's little brother Samir, Farah begins to wonder if leaving her current school behind is the best idea. Going to a new school would mean leaving Samir behind and she is worried he will continue to be bullied without anyone looking out for him. Farah creates a plan that involves lying to her family, teachers and best friend. Will Farah's lies catch up to her or will she be able to stand up to bully and continue with her dream to attend Magnet Academy?

I really loved this book. It is perfect for elementary-aged students , especially 3rd-5th graders. When we think of bullying, many times we think of physical contact of name-calling. We rarely read bout the quiet and sneaky bullying that occurs frequently in schools. The book address this type of bullying in a way that is kid-friendly. It teaches kids to continue to speak up until someone listens. I also liked how it discussed the importance of telling the truth.

This is the diverse easy read needed in today's world. I loved how the author incoporated the Arabic words throught the story. The Holy Hummus recipe in the back was also a fun addition. I would recommend this to any elementary library looking for more easier to read chapter books in their library.

Thank yo to Netgalley and Capstone for providing an eARC.

Farrah loves learning and is working really hard to get into her dream school - Magnet Academy for Math & Science with her best friend Allie. One day a new girl steps on her bus and starts to say mean things to Farrah's little brother Samir. Samir was born 3 month early and has had challenges his whole life. The new girl makes comments on the bus but also during lunch as she watches Samir and his classmates play outside. Farrah tries to find adult help, but no one listens. She takes matters into her own hands when she starts to really worry about Samir and leaving him at this school while she goes off to her new school. So she sabotages her acceptance into the school to get rejected so she can stay and protect her brother. Farrah starts to purposely do badly on her math tests, lies, and avoids writing her entrance essay, which she really feels guilty for. Farrah's love of her little brother with special needs, her internal conflict on whether she can leave him or not, and her want to do well in school come crashing together in this wonderful novel (and inclusive of an American family with diverse characters and author!).

Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj was a superb read. It's so appropriate for young readers. My daughter is in 5th grade and she loved it; however, her 3rd-grade sister also liked it. This story teaches why telling the truth is important and that family and friends can help you with any challenges if you just let them. It's right on message with the current climate of the challenges faced by youngsters today.

Synopsis www.amazon.com
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?

I received an advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

A younger middle grade book that still tackles issues prevalent to this age group. Farah is a relatable character, particularly in her role as a sister. Readers will enjoy this story and its engaging character. Highly recommended.

E ARC provided by Netgalley



Farah is a very bright fifth grader who hopes to get into Magnet Academy for middle school, along with her best friend Allie. She is concerned, though, when there is a new girl at her school, Dana, who is mean to both her and her younger brother, Samir. Going to a new school would mean leaving him behind, and Farah doesn't want to leave him with the evil Dana. She starts to fail her tests, going so far as to delete e mails from her teachers when they express concern. With her mother picking up more hours at the local supermarket, Farah is responsible for Samir after school, and she takes her responsibility seriously. Samir was born prematurely, so his medical bills have burdened the family, especially since her parents donated a window to the Orthodox church they attend when his health improved. Because her parents are so involved, they eventually notice what is going on, and let Farah know that it is her responsibility to get a good education, and they will worry about finances and Samir.

Strengths: I love the close-knit family, and Farah's concern for her brother. It's also great to see a representation of an older sibling caring for a younger one after school. There are other supportive adults in her life, like Mr. Richie, her teacher, who does express concern, even if the bus driver is not seeing Dana's behavior. There are lots of details about the family's cultural background (they speak Arabic, the father came to the country when he was 28 and has an accent, holidays, food), but that isn't the focus of the story. There is even a hummus recipe at the end of the book!
Weaknesses: Don't study Latin at Magnet Academy, Farah! Or at least, don't grow up to major in it! This is just slightly young for my readers.
What I really think: Would definitely purchase for an elementary school but will pass for middle school. I'd love to see more of this character, and would buy a story about her in 6th grade!

The main character is Farah Hajjar which is Arabic for Rocks. She is in 5th Grade. Her brother Samir is in kindergarten and has some disabilities, he was a preemie baby and that seems to have affected his speech. Allie Liu is Farah’s best friend and is Chinese.
Farah and Allie are applying to attend Magnet Academy, a special public school with a focus on math and science. Both the girls have been in advanced “gifted” classes since 2nd grade. There is a new girl on the bus Dana Denver, she is a transfer student from Texas, and she is really tall. The first time we meet her she is mean to Samir. Dana trips over Samir's feet getting on the bus, then he pulls her hair, I think because it is red and he meant to just stroke it. But this upsets Dana and the feud begins.

I really liked the way this book handled bullying. That it can be a quiet and subtle thing, not overt. I truly felt like it was written from a 9/10/11 year old’s perspective. My son is 10, and in fifth grade, and Farah’s decisions fall right in line with his decision-making patterns. I also liked that the characters had variety, Farah being Arabic, her best friend Chinese. It didn’t make race an issue but it acknowledged that sometimes if we look different than everyone else that we can get made fun of, or have problems related to that. It wasn’t “The Theme” of the book, but it was there as an undertone. I also think the idea that adults don’t take kids seriously or understand when they say something is wrong, is true. Kids get brushed aside, because it’s no big deal, but I liked how this book addressed that and said yes but keep trying, someone will eventually listen if you just give them a chance.

I had my 10-year old son read the book too. As a disclaimer, I bribed him with unlimited tablet time today if he read the book. It took him about an hour to read. I have never seen him read a book so fast.
Son’s Comments: The words sound weird to me when I pronounce them because they speak a different language. It was pretty good there were a lot of simile’s which I liked. The part where she purposely got bad grades was weird, when she wanted to protect her brother from Dana. Dana is going through a divorce. The story itself had a pretty good layout. I didn’t understand Arabic words. He thought Farah was pretty nice to protect Samir. It really stuck with him that Farah kept saying she was Samir’s hero.
He liked that Farah was in fifth grade because he is in fifth grade, and he liked that she stood up for her little brother. He said he would recommend it, it is a good book.

Farah Rocks Fifth Grade
by Susan Muaddi Darraj

Capstone

Stone Arch Books

Children’s Fiction , Middle Grade

Pub Date 01 Jan 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Farah Rocks Fifth Grade through Capstone/Stone Arch Books and Netgalley:

Farah and her best friend Allie Liu are getting excited about turning in their applications for the Magnet Academy where they both want to attend sixth grade. After a new girl Dana Denver shows up in school and begins bullying Farrah’s little brother Samir, Farah’s world is turned upside down. Farah begins to question her decision in leaving Harbortown Elementary/Middle School so she begins purposely doing poorly in classes. 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?

This would be a perfect read for eight to twelve year olds a book that shows a strong main character standing up against bullying.

I give Farah rocks the fifth grade five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj is a cute story with enjoyable characters. I liked the addition of the illustrations. What was great about the book was the information about the different cultures, which is important for children to be exposed to and learn.

Farah Rocks Fifth Grade is a very story-driven, character-rich book about family and friends that touches the heart. I especially loved the addition of the glossary and the glossary of Arabic terms. I also will try the hummus recipe included at the end of the book.

Thank you @CapstonePub and #NetGalley for the advance copy. #FarahRocksFifthGrade #ownvoices