Nayra and the Djinn

Fresh and interesting.

Gr 6-9--Nayra wants to be accepted for herself, but between pressures put on her by her family for not being like her siblings and bullying she faces at school for being Muslim, there are very few places where she feels safe. Things get particularly bad during Ramadan when her classmates constantly make fun of her and her friend Rami for fasting. Nayra finds comfort in a chat channel for Muslim Americans who want to archive their folklore and oral traditions, and when a Djinn joins the conversation in search of help, Nayra jumps at the unbelievable opportunity. Marjan offers Nayra a glimpse into the otherworldly life of Djinns, and also friendship, advice, and affirmation. But Nayra's growth doesn't sit well with Rami, who feels that she is losing her only friend. The clock is ticking in this endearing graphic novel, and Nayra has until the end of Ramadan to fix her relationship problems and help Marjan return home. VERDICT A captivating use of Islamic beliefs and culture to share with readers the importance of rebuilding relationships and standing up for oneself.--Amanda Melilli

A Muslim teen and a djinn's newfound friendship helps them both right past wrongs in this inviting, Islamic folklore-filled graphic novel by Ata (Mis(h)adra, for adults). Nayra Mansour is having a terrible Ramadan: not only is she light-headed from fasting all day, she's struggling with coursework, growing distant from her Muslim best friend Rami, contending with her family's criticism regarding her poor grades and withdrawn attitude, and being mocked by classmates for observing her faith. More than anything, Nayra feels alone, so when Marjan, a djinn made of purple smoke, mysteriously appears in Nayra's bedroom desperate for help and a place to hide, Nayra happily allows Marjan into her life. But Nayra's burgeoning friendship with Marjan widens the rift between her and Rami, and things become further complicated when Nayra realizes there's more to Marjan's story than they're letting on. Pastel purples, pinks, and blues heighten the graphic novel's mythical trappings with a soft, melancholy atmosphere and provide a skillful visual contrast between the djinn world and Nayra's real life. Though dialogue is occasionally stilted, Ata deftly constructs a narrative about the challenges surrounding asking for and granting forgiveness, and moving forward. Ages 10-up. (Feb.)