Aisha Saeed

"Life is quiet and ordinary in Amal's Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, she's busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when--as the eldest daughter--she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Amal is upset, but she doesn't lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. Then the unimaginable happens--after an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt...

In this compelling companion to New York Times best seller Amal Unbound, Amal's friend Omar must contend with being treated like a second-class citizen when he gets a scholarship to an elite boarding school. Omar knows his scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School is a game changer, providing him - the son of a servant - with an opportunity to improve his station in life. He can't wait to experience all the school has to offer, especially science...

"Bilal and his father invite his friends to help make his favorite dish, daal, then all must wait patiently for it to be done." --

Twelve-year-old Diana's much-anticipated visit with her best friend, Princess Sakina, turns into an adventure as they face a booby-trapped island, a forbidden visitor, and a demon. --

Teens Yas and Raf grow from friends to something more in the aftermath of a tragedy in their magical town.

"Rumi's family has moved to a new town and he is feeling lonely and left out at school because one of the other kids, Asher, is a bully--until Hans joins him, drawing in the dirt under the old willow tree."--

"Princess Jasmine has always wanted more out of her life -- to travel beyond the palace walls, to get to know her people better ... to one day become sultana and lead Agrabah. Unfortunately, her overprotective father does not agree. And he keeps introducing her to foreign princes, including a strange -- if admittedly charming -- one named Ali. Prince Ali has a secret. He's not actually royalty from the far-off kingdom of ''Ababwa,'' as he's claimed...

"Once upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it's waking up to the sound of frying samosas and simmering pistachio kheer, maybe it's the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it's the gift giving and holiday...

"Fifteen authors of Asian descent reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia, in short stories ranging from fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge." --

Star-crossed lovers, meddling immortals, feigned identities, battles of wits, and dire warnings: these are the stuff of fairy tale, myth, and folklore that have drawn us in for centuries.

Fifteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.

Compiled by We Need Diverse Books's Ellen

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