Such an adorable read!
The characters are so cute and the twins dynamic is so realistic. Books about sibling dynamics feel so rare :")
I loved the little flashbacks at the end of each chapter which added so many layers to their relationship and showed how little things from both of them made them resent each other despite loving each other.
Also the art was STUNNING. Every panel is so beautifully drawn and flows so well!!

I really enjoyed this book. I love how Faruqi tackles difficult topics in a way that is relatable and accessible for kids. I can see many kids relating to Zara and Zeeshan's experiences, both as quarreling siblings and as outsiders facing discrimination. The art in the book perfectly complements the text, and I like how the flashback scenes were colored in more subdued tones with a pale yellow background, to set them apart from the present-day action. I would definitely recommend this book and will be purchasing several copies for my library.

I absolutely loved this book. I can't imagine the stress and frustration that comes from so many people feeling like they are entitled to your time and energy, when you are a Muslim in America, but this book describes that struggle perfectly. I love that both characters have their own, unique experiences while also maintaining their own interests. I think it's great that their family trip happens during a phone-free week as it allows the two main characters to get even closer to one another. I definitely recommend this book as a creative, helpful tool in teaching respect and kindness in promoting diversity.

In the middle grade graphic novel Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi, we meet Zara and Zeeshan, middle school age twin siblings whose different interests and passions have drawn a line between them. The two are constantly bickering with each other and when the bickering spills over into a family trip, their parents take their phones away as a consequence. The twins have to figure out how to navigate the trip without the phones, while balancing their different interests and how they intersect. Add in that they are young Muslims and navigating Islamophobia and how it impacts their daily lives is another added layer.

The artwork was lovely in the story and the book flowed nicely through the storyline. I enjoyed the two main characters - Zara and Zeeshan can easily be related to by today's middle schoolers who share common experiences and interests with them. They both topics they are passionate about (saving the wildlife and space) and they both are learning to navigate a world that isn't fair in so many ways, while continuing to grow in their relationships with each other and their parents.

Overall, I really enjoyed this graphic novel and absolutely think it will be a hit with the middle grade audience, including my own 11 year old.

Through two teenagers I have seen the world and it has saddened me, but at the same time it has given me hope for a better future or that there are people with empathy who are able to look at people, beyond a headscarf or the way they dress.
A book that shows us rawness and kindness in equal parts.

This read was eye opening & absolutely inspiring. I loved the beautiful illustrations & the authors ability to book readers easily.

I read in about 3 days off & on & loved getting to know each character. Saadia Faruqi, I will forever recommend this one who need an inspiring story

Saving Sunshine is a middle grade graphic novel exploring the relationship of two twin siblings constantly fighting in an American Muslim family.
My reading experience was really great. I don't read many graphic books and I don't know why because it's nice. The pace was good, it read quickly and the illustrations are so gorgeous. I absolutely love this style and the colour scheme!

The story offers Muslim representation (including a hijabi main character) and a judgement-free representation of teenagers being teenagers.
Are the kids insufferable the more they fight and the more they keep being negative about each other's hobby? Yes, definitely. Well, they're kids, they have yet to talk about what drew them away from one another, they have to deal with micro-aggressions and islamophobia on a daily basis. They have to learn to communicate, to support each other. They have to learn to respect their hobbies without constantly criticising. So they're a bit immature and it's normal. They'll come to understand and learn.

The parents are naturally the figures with wisdom. It was hinted that the kids didn't spend that much time with their mother due to her working a lot as a doctor and I wish the authors would've explored that and its impact on the family a bit more.
I found the twins' hobbies really cool! Space, as I used to (still do though) be obsessed with it; and animal rights and care. That led the book to also give a slightly subtle criticism of human activities and how it is harmful for animals and their environment. Saving an animal as well as being forced to spend time together is ultimately what draws the teens to see things from the other's point of view.

I think this is a really nice middle grade book in which Muslim kids can see their representation, the importance of communicating and being respectful, and sibling dynamics. I think I would love to buy a physical copy.

Thank you First Second and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4,5/5.

The art style was absolutely gorgeous, I want every graphic novel ever to be in this art style. It was so pretty I'm obsessed. Anyway, this was a really cute kids book, it was educational, entertaining, and had a good (realistic) sibling relationship. The themes were great too, such as environmentalism, the experience of children of immigrant parents, and just figuring out your identity in general (while dealing with your annoying sibling of course :) ). I really liked the little facts scattered throughout the book, I know I would have thoroughly enjoyed that aspect when I was the target audience age (clearly I still enjoyed those facts). It was a very short read, but that's because its a middle grade graphic novel, nonetheless it still captivated me with the story and the characters. Overall, it was really enjoyable and super pretty I'm still thinking about the art style.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you to netgalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute graphic novel. I liked the animal activism and the space information. I also liked to see the siblings relationship develop throughout the book. The art style was beautiful and I loved the representation of Muslim Americans especially Zara wearing hijab even though she was bullied. I would recommend this title.

Beautiful illustrations that give off the coastal setting of this story. The book perfectly depicts the ups and downs of a sibling relationship, and features a hijab-wearing main character that face adversity for their choice to wear one. I will definitely recommend this book to young Muslim girls and any kids interested in animal welfare and environmental issues.

This was a sweet graphic novel centering on sibling relationships and being the focus of Islamophobia in America. I rooted for the siblings the entire time and loved the family's loving, supportive dynamic. I felt for the parents multiple times throughout the novel. I couldn't imagine trying to raise emotionally, mentally well-adjusted children in the face of the bigotry Muslims are subjected to daily. The science facts scattered throughout the novel were wonderful, and the watercolor style art is gorgeous.







***Thank you to Netgalley and First Second Books for an eARC of this graphic novel in exchange for a review. ***

This was a cute graphic novel featuring a brother and sister who struggle to get along. Their feuding even follows them on vacation and their continued bickering leads to their parents confiscating their cell phones. As they struggle to get along with their electronic refuge, these siblings start to actually listen to each other and appreciate the other's interests. The pair also bind together in an attempt to save an injured tortoise.

This is a wonderful graphic novel about two siblings who both struggle to get along with each other and with the world. The storytelling is wonderful in the way that it does a great job of focusing on the siblings current struggles with each other while balancing it with their past issues and instances of racism they face from others. The art is also stunning and I especially love the coloring. All in all, this is a lovely graphic novel.

Another hit from Saadia Faruqi! I loved the plot line of twin siblings who seem like they can’t be more different but have to come together. There were many moments that will be relatable to all kinds of readers. The illustrations were stunning as well! Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

This was a sweet middle grade story about two siblings learning to see eye to eye when they go on vacation and their parents force them to spend time together. The art work in Saving Sunshine is absolutely beautiful and there are a lot of themes that are well tackled, such prejudice, Islamaphobia, conservation, and activism. While I enjoyed this book, some elements fell a bit flat. I didn't quite buy the reasons why Zara and Zeeshan were so against each other, and at times the messages, while well presented, felt a bit heavy handed. This title will especially appeal to readers interested in conservation, or those who are interested in learning more/starting a conversation about prejudice.

Thank you to First Second and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Zara and Zeeshan are middle school aged Muslim American twins who constantly fight. Zara is into animal preservation and Zeeshan love all things space. When their doctor mother is invited to receive an award at a Florida conference, it becomes a family vacation. But the twins constant bickering becomes unbearable, their parents take away their phones until they can learn to get along. Zara has just started wearing hijab which has made her a target for teasing at school and at the resort. She is annoyed that Zeeshan doesn’t stand up for her. While wandering down the beach, they come across a stranded sea turtle that Zara has named Sunshine. Helping the sea turtle becomes a joint venture for them and they learn to appreciate each other’s interests.
While I did enjoy this graphic novel, I felt that some of the dialog was a bit forced. I understand hat the authors were conveying, I just felt it could have been smoother. Also, the part about their father taking his stethoscope to the conference seemed weird and only seemed to set up for TSA harassment, which also didn’t make sense – the agents didn’t know what it was?! But I am not the target audience and I doubt 5th graders will pick up on these details. The authors have done a good job conveying the prejudice and Islamaphobia that these families face.
3.5 stars
#SavingSunshine #NetGalley

Enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel about feuding siblings finding common ground and seeing things from each other's POV. Includes conversations about microaggressions, prejudice, and cultural expectations.

I loved the watercolor art style that the graphic novel had. A lot of children's/tweens graphic novels have computer generated looking graphics that don't resemble a hand drawn picture. I enjoyed seeing the way the art style was used.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.

Wow this book was amazing. The designs and the colours were gorgeous. The topics addressed and the story were interesting and very on point.

I would 100% recommend it!!

I thought this book was done very well. While I don't wear a hijab, this book reflects what some girls go through when starting. I like that this was based on a family. However, I wonder about the mom's wearing the hijab inside the house. Within the book, you see her take it off inside her home, I understand that when around family it is not necessary, however as the reader, I feel like I am looking into their life and that makes me feel like I am seeing something I should not.