Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party (Marya Khan #1)

by Saadia Faruqi (Author) Ani Bushry (Illustrator)

Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party (Marya Khan #1)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Marya Khan

Perfect for fans of Ivy & Bean and Dory Fantasmagory, this is the start of a charming new chapter book series about a third-grader whose plans may backfire but whose persistence and heart are inspiring.

Marya's eighth birthday is coming up in a week, and all she wants is an over-the-top birthday party just like the ones Alexa, her rich neighbor, always throws. When Alexa parades into school with fancy invitations, Marya can't help herself--she claims that she's having the most epic henna party ever. Now she has to convince her family to make it happen.

Enter Operation Help the Khans! Marya's siblings clearly need help with their projects. Maybe she could cook dinner for her parents, or clean her grandmother's room? Except everything Marya does seems to end in disaster. Will Marya and her family be able pull it together and throw the best party ever?!

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Kirkus

A delightful story of friendship, family, and upended expectations.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--Seven-year-old Pakistani American Marya Khan is on the precipice of turning eight, and she has big ambitions for this year's birthday celebration. Unfortunately, Baba and Mama are not on the same page with Marya's plans--instead they want to do their traditional low-key, pizza-and-cake family celebration. To make matters worse, Marya's neighbor Alexa's birthday is two days before hers, and that celebration will be one for the books. While Marya only gets to invite her best friend Hanna to her party, Alexa is inviting the whole class. As Alexa is distributing her party invites, Marya blurts out that she, too, is having a birthday party with fairy lights, yummy food, and henna! Of course, her parents haven't agreed to any of this, so Marya sets out on an ill-fated crusade to convince her parents that this year must be the year of the incredible henna party. Short chapters are sprinkled with simple, expressive illustrations that will keep readers who are transitioning to more text-heavy chapter books engaged. Culturally specific terms, like daal, shalwar kameez, and paratha, will be welcome by readers of South Asian descent and embraced by others not part of that community. VERDICT This early chapter book will find favor with fans of "Definitely Dominguita" and "JoJo Makoons" and has broad appeal. Readers will look forward to reading more of plucky Marya's adventures.--Sarah Simpson

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Third grader Marya Khan is tired of her birthday arriving two days after that of her popular and wealthy next-door neighbor Alexa. Each year, Alexa, who reads as white, throws an extravagant, well-attended fete, while Marya celebrates by eating pizza and cake with her best friend and family. Mama and Baba won't take on a larger party, citing limited resources, but after Alexa brags about her shindig one too many times, Marya says she's throwing one of her own--a henna party inspired by her dadi's favorite Pakistani dramas. With only a few days to go and no parental permission, Marya encounters various obstacles, navigating family, friends, and themes of integrity versus desire en route to a feel-good end that takes everyone's needs into account. Chapters each begin with a "Word of the Day" that hint at events to come. A lively voice brings the large cast to life in this fast-paced, entertaining chapter book from Faruqi (the Meet Yasmin! series). B&w vignettes by Bushry (Queen Baby) foreground the characters. Ages 6-9. Author's agent: Kari Sutherland, Bradford Literary. Illustrator's agent: Christy Ewers, CAT Agency. (Oct.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"There's so much to love about Marya. She's spunky, persistent, and resourceful. . .A delightful story of friendship, family, and upended expectations.— "Kirkus Reviews"
Saadia Faruqi
Saadia Faruqi was born in Pakistan and moved to the United States when she was 22 years old. She writes the Yasmin series and popular middle-grade novels such as Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero. Besides writing books for kids, she also loves reading, binge-watching her favorite shows, and taking naps. She lives in Houston with her family. Ani Bushry graduated from the University of West England with a background in graphic design and illustration. She grew up listening to stories her mom used to tell her and always wanted to tell her own. She lives in the Maldives with her husband and cat, Lilo, whom she loves to spoil.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781419761164
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Amulet Books
Publication date
October 18, 2022
Series
Marya Khan
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV011020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Asian American
JUV045000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Chapter Books
JUV017100 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Birthdays
Library of Congress categories
Families
Family life
Parties
Pakistani Americans
Novels
Henna (Dye)

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