This is a tale of two quarrelling Muslim-American twins who overcome their differences to rescue a giant turtle while on a family trip with their parents in Florida.

I’m so glad to see a graphic novel with Muslim representation that explores themes of alienation, discrimination, but also belonging. I especially found the conversations between Zara and her Amma important/enlightening.

Thumbs-up for the art style - visually pleasing and calming to look at.

My rating of 3 stars is not a reflection of the quality of the book, but of the fact that I wasn’t the intended audience for it. I’d recommend this to any middle grade reader!

"Saving Sunshine" by Saadia Faruqi is not just a delightful read, but an important one too. The stunning watercolor illustrations infuse every page with depth and beauty, turning the book into a visual masterpiece.

But what truly stands out is the own voices perspective that provides readers with an intimate look into the experience of being a Muslim American child living in America. Faruqi deftly handles this aspect, introducing tougher topics like microaggressions in an age-appropriate manner. It's an experience that's both eye-opening and, at times, heartbreaking.

The sibling dynamics between twin brother and sister Zara and Zeeshan are as relatable as they are compelling. They are obsessed with different fields; Zara is into animals, and Zeeshan is into outer space. Despite being twins, they don't always get along, and their bickering adds an authentic touch of sibling drama. The plot hinges around them getting along together without their phones as a distraction. Their family dynamics are lovingly portrayed, and the blend of their doctor parents with science-loving kids creates an engaging backdrop that will resonate with many readers.

The story also weaves in fun facts about animals and space. However, I did notice some inaccuracies with the space facts, and I hope this will be corrected in the final print.

The exploration of Muslim American identity, paired with intriguing characters and a nicely paced plot, makes "Saving Sunshine" a must-read. Whether you're drawn to the stunning artwork, engaging family dynamics, or the thoughtful depiction of a young Muslim American's experience, this book is a treasure that offers something unique and heartwarming.

“I’m tired of random strangers looking at me like I’m a puzzle to solve.”
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Zara and Zeeshan are Muslim American twins who were close growing up, but have since drifted apart in middle school. In fact their fighting on a family vacation to Key West has their parents taking their phones away and forcing them to stick together for the entire trip. When animal lover Zara stumbles upon a hurt loggerhead turtle, both she and Zeesh come together to help save Sunshine.
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There is so much heart and familial love in this MG graphic novel by @saadiafaruqi @shazleen.jpeg I loved the artwork as well as the story of siblings who are each going through their own struggles that have to deal with bullying and Islamophobia. Dealing with ignorance and hate at such a young age (or any age really) just breaks my heart, but the love these two have for their family, their heritage and religion gives me so much hope. Grab this title on September 5!

CW: bullying, racism, Islamophobia

I will start by saying that this is a graphic novel that is suited to the age group and may not resonate with anyone outside of that intended audience type. There were just too many things happening and the story got very muddled, but for a middle schooler, that may be ok and they will learn from the story.

The artwork was nice. It was more of a watercolour style but with some sharp edges.

The story was also interesting and kept me engaged, while also teaching a few lessons here and there. There are aspects of siblings figuring things out, protecting endangered species, and respecting different cultures and beliefs. All great lessons, including some science about space and nature presented as fact cards in the novel.

What I found the most challenging was that I really was expecting something very different from the description of the book, so maybe that's what needs to change when this is published in September. Because as it stood, I was expecting a story about two kids who, after being denied their devices, bonded to save a turtle who was in trouble. What we got, instead, were two kids who continued to fight and be brats from pretty much start to finish with a turtle thrown in. I just didn't feel like it accomplished what I had been led to believe it would. Without giving too much away, the story does cover what is described, but it seems to be just too spread out from start to finish to give it the meat I was anticipating.

Not a total wash especially if it sparks a conversation about things like bullying, respect for other cultures and beliefs, and the environment.

What a beautiful new book from the always amazing Saadia Faruqi! I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the graphic novel format as much as I did, and I was delighted by the artists’ expressive characters and color palettes. Absolutely perfect for middle-grade readers: family trip, sibling rivalry, technology withdrawal, STEM interests, family bickering, and a very honest look at xenophobia/Islamophobia. Another huge hit from Faruqi, this will fly off the shelves.

It was my first attempt in reading a book by Saadia Faruqi and I cannot but be in agreement with other readers saying that her works have meaningful messages and topics.
In "Saving Sunshine" (a middle grade graphic novel) we follow two Muslim American sibling - Zara and Zeeshan - that really can't stand each other. They are "stucked" with their parents in a family trip in Florida and their mother confiscated their phones. So, Zara and Zeeshan have to spend time together.
They have their own passion/hobby: Zara is into animals, and Zeeshan is in outer space. They end up working together to save a sick loggerhead turtle and during this time, they start to learn more about each other and the difficulties they both faced throughout the years. How their "cultural diversity" had an impact on their and other people's lives. How their classmates treated them with distrust.

I really loved the illustrations and the mix with present time and flashback (portrayed in a different colour palette).
Highly recommend for middle grades readers!

Hoping to read other works of Saadia Faruqi!

[Thank you to NetGalley and First Second for the eARC!]

Really loved lots of aspects of this book. There were sweet moments and I love positive muslim rep. The art was incredible!
However- tbh the plot seemed very surface level and the islamaphobia overdone- i say this as a muslim hijabi. I just wished for more subtlety in the beats and emotional depth in the characters to really bring the story home.

Sweet story about a relatable sibling rivalry that also touches on equally relatable issues of assimilation, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. I enjoyed Zara and her mom's perspectives on their relationship to wearing hijab.

Saadia Faruqi has done it again. Taking the usual and making it unusual is a gift, and this author always delivers a meaningful message mixed with just enough humor, sentiment, and silliness to help us remember that life is only as difficult as we choose to make it. In this case, the forced proximity due to extended travel mixed with (gasp) the absence of cell phones allows siblings at odds to realize their parents are smart cookies. Brought together despite themselves and in honor of someone else's achievement is a fine motivator, especially when Zara and Zeesh must put aside their differences to save wildlife.
What could have been just another sibling rivalry story is a lovely keepsake regarding people, places, and things we often take for granted. Further, the illustrations are delicious and go well with the cadence of the text.

Thanks to First Second and NetGalley for allowing me to read this one. It's a keeper.

Saving Sunshine is a very sweet middle-grade graphic novel that does a good job of bringing up some tough topics like sibling rivalry and racism in a way that is age-appropriate. It shows ways to deal with overt, covert, and "accidental" racism through the parent's lens but also allows us to see how the main character boy and girl deal with it in different ways. It shows how the siblings' relationship has and does develop as they age. It was well worth the read and I would recommend it! Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC!

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

Like other books by Saadia Faruqi, this book also addressed a few sensitive topics. Zara and Zeeshan, despite being twins are not on the best terms. They are obsessed with different fields, Zara is into animals, and Zeeshan is in outer space. Their parents have been tolerating their bickering but not anymore. The trip is for their mother who is winning a big award at a conference and the parents don't have the energy to resolve their fights. They must find a way to bond otherwise parents won't return their phones. The story is about compromises, flexibility and respect each others religion, opinion, lifestyle and interests.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second for the eARC!

SAVING SUNSHINE was a fun middle grade graphic novel about two Muslim American twins who have to put aside their differences and learn to work together. The story was layered with STEM themes that will definitely appeal to MG readers, as well as honest depictions of micro-aggressions that the twins and their family face.

Twins Zara and Zeesh are both passionate about STEM topics — for Zara it's environmentalism and animals, while for Zeesh it's astronomy and NASA. Yet despite this the twins find themselves constantly at odds, and when their bickering comes to a head during their family's trip to Florida, their parents take away their phones. As a result, Zara and Zeesh are forced to actually spend time with each other.
While this may seem like the ultimate punishment at first, the siblings slowly start to learn more about each other and the difficulties they both face. And when an endangered loggerhead turtle turns up at the beach, Zara and Zeesh realize that they'll have to work together if they want to save it.

I loved how the STEM themes were woven into this story, with fun little infographics about the kids' interests. The story was fun and educational, and at the same time very heartfelt. The illustrations by Shazleen Khan were also a particular highlight for me — the art was so colourful and gorgeous, and quite different to a lot of other MG graphic novels I've ready recently. I really liked how the flashbacks were portrayed in a different colour palette, and though the flashback about Zara's decision to wear the hijab was particularly powerful.

Overall, I really enjoyed this graphic novel and was impressed with how deftly Saadia Faruqi was able to weave in so many different topics and themes. Highly recommend for MG readers!

What a wonderful MG graphic novel on siblings and sibling rivalry. About being different and embracing that difference. About coming together as a family.

Zara and Zeeshan are Pakistani-American twins. Even so, they are constantly bickering and fighting, hating on each other's hobbies and likes. Seemingly hating on each other's existence, even. The usual sibling rivalry among siblings and maybe slightly more. So one day while on a family vacation-cum-work conference for their parents, they had their mobiles taken away so that they can bond.

And bond they did. They learnt how to accept each others likes and dislikes and learn to band together and accept how not everyone are nice to those who look/sound/are different. They learn some people can be really sincere in wanting to learn about your heritage even if there are those who mistreat you or look down and make fun of you. Plus, i loved the little environmental nuggets made as a sub-premise in the story.

I feel this was a beautiful representation and ownvoice novel, especially for the young ones to grapple for being POC. Presented in a really beautiful illustration form. Cause graphic novels are still books and even graphic novels can put across a wonderfully plotted story.

This is a story about family and the bond you share as siblings - how it can be hard to friends with your sibling, but also how important that relationship can be.
It's also a story about having your identity questioned, Islamophobia and the constant comments and stares you can, will. receive as a woman with a hijab or the like.
And it's a story about being a kid and being passionate about something. About figuring out what's important and what you love and what you can live without.

I liked this graphic novel. I hope many kids will find it and I will recommend it to my colleagues.

/ Denise

Saving Sunshine is a story about a brother and sister, Zeeshan and Zara. They have a hard time getting along like most siblings do. During a family trip, their parents decide to take their phones away from them until they can appreciate one another. They are forced to bond with one another. As they spend time together, they find a sick loggerhead turtle on the beach. They work together to figure out how to help it.

The illustrations in this book were beautiful. They added to the story that was being told. Since the family are Muslim Americans, it covered some of the stereotypes they face. This is an excellent graphic novel about belonging, family, and helping others.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi was a wonderful graphic novel. It was about twins-Zara & Zeeshan. The are growing up with very different interest and starting to bicker a lot. When they go on a trip with their parents, their fighting becomes too much and their parents take their phones away. Slowly, the begin to understand each other and begin to help each other.. It shows about sibling struggles, struggles fitting in, and struggles of Muslin Americans. This is a must read, middle grade graphic novel!

Thank you NetGalley/publishers for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
This is one of the best graphic novels I have read this year. The illustrations drew me in from the very first page and the storyline kept me turning page after page.
Saving Sunshine is a middle grade graphic novel, about two siblings, a pair of twins actually, Zara and Zeeshan who can't seem to get along. Zara loves animals and is always looking to be around them, while Zeeshan loves the outer space and is obsessed with watching NASA videos. Both of their parents are doctors. The family takes a trip to Florida because the twins mother is going to receive an award. The twins get in a fight and lose their phone privileges.There the twins learn to work together by saving an endangered animal who is sick. They also learn to appreciate each other's interest and help each other in their own way. A few pages in you will get to know why the books name is 'Saving Sunshine'.
While this was a fun read, the author also introduced some serious but important topics like islamophobia, microaggression and racism. The family is faced by various stereotypes and a few comments from strangers. Despite all that, the advice given by the twins parents and the love shown by a few strangers touched my heart.
I loved every minute of reading this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves reading graphic novels.

Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi is a heartfelt and beautifully crafted graphic novel that captivates readers with its authentic representation and meaningful storytelling. This graphic novel offers a refreshing and authentic representation of Muslim American characters. The realistic portrayal of Zara and Zeeshan's challenges with prejudice, discrimination, and microaggressions struck a chord with me, as it sheds light on the very real struggles faced by many individuals in our diverse society. The illustrations beautifully complemented the narrative, capturing the characters' expressions and interactions well. There are boxes specifically used for presenting environments and space exploration-related facts. Saving Sunshine sends powerful messages about acceptance and empathy. The characters learn to appreciate each other's passions and strengths. This heartwarming growth illustrates the power of understanding and supporting one another.

⤷‧₊˚4⭑
nothing else to say but FANTASTIC.
i loved it so much, if you haven't read it yet, read it now!

4.5 stars rounded up.

A really beautiful story about Muslim twin siblings who re-learn how to like and stick up for each other. I thought the messages were really powerful, the illustration style was great, and the characters were lovable. I highly recommend!