The Kindest Red
A Story of Hijab and Friendship
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Initial publish date
- Jan 2023
- Category
- Muslim, School & Education, Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Siblings, Friendship
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780759555709
- Publish Date
- Jan 2023
- List Price
- $23.99
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Where to buy it
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 4 to 8
- Grade: p to 3
- Reading age: 4 to 8
Description
The sequel to the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Proudest Blue shows the power of friendship and kindness, from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.
It’s picture day and Faizah can’t wait to wear her special red dress with matching hair ribbons, passed down from her mother and sister. Faizah’s teacher starts the day by asking her students to envision the kind of world they want, inspiring Faizah and her friends to spend the day helping one another in ways large and small.
But when it’s time for sibling pictures, Faizah realizes that she and her older sister, Asiya, don’t match like her classmates do with their siblings. With help from her classmates inspired by Asiya’s hijab, Faizah finds that acts of kindness can come back to you in unexpected ways.
From Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and fellow bestselling, award-winning creators S.K. Ali and Hatem Aly comes a heartfelt exploration of friendship, faith, and the joy of spreading kindness wherever you go.
**Spend more time with Faizah and Asiya in The Proudest Blue, where the story starts; and The Boldest White, where the story continues!
About the authors
Ibtihaj Muhammad's profile page
S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the American Library Association’s 2018 William C. Morris Award and the winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle East Book Honor Award; and Love from A to Z, a Today show’s Read with Jenna Book Club selection. Both novels were named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. She is also the author of Misfit in Love. You can find Sajidah online at SKAlibooks.com and follow her on Instagram @SKAlibooks and on Twitter at @SajidahWrites.
Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator who currently lives in beautiful New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people. He has illustrated many books for young people that earned multiple starred reviews and positions on the New York Times bestseller list including The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali, In My Mosque by M. O. Yuksel, the Newbery Honor winner The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz, The Unicorn Rescue Society series also by Adam Gidwitz with several amazing coauthors, Meet Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi, Raj’s Rule (for the Bathroom at School) with Lana Button, How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller, and Ethan and the Strays by John Sullivan. He has more upcoming books and projects in the works. You can find him online @MetaHatem or MetaHatem.com.
Editorial Reviews
“This cheerful multicultural book, brimming with optimism and hope, will make a lovely read-aloud or bedtime story.”—Booklist
A Children's Book Council Librarian Favorite
* “Helping others looks fun and rewarding in this sweet tale that empowers readers…. A loving and lovely celebration of the many ties—sisterly, friendship, communal—that bind.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A joyous tale of strengthening community by lifting up one another …the message is perfect as well as vital for elementary children. An exuberant follow-up to The Proudest Blue.” —School Library Journal
* "This excellent story about identity, visibility, and confidence, touches on rites of passage, bonds between sisters, and bullying and is unapologetic in tackling misconceptions and demanding equality."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Hatem Aly's ink-wash and watercolour illustrations perfectly complement the lyricism of Muhammed and Ali's moving text."—The Globe and Mail
* "Aly's ink-wash-and-pencil illustrations settle and soar along with the language.... This story, as both window and mirror, inevitably educates, but more important, it encourages pride in and respect for hijab through a tale of two sisters, their bond strengthened by faith."—Booklist, starred review
* "Memorable and inspiring.... Triumphant and true."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Praise for The Proudest Blue:
*On 12 state award lists!*
"Inspiring.... The lovely, playful illustrations by Aly capture the spirit of imagination and sisterly solidarity in the face of bullying."—New York Times Book Review
* "A lovely blend of emotional lyricism and closely observed everyday life."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Other titles by
Other titles by
Fledgling
The Keeper's Records of Revolution
The Boldest White
A Story of Hijab and Community
Grounded
Love from Mecca to Medina
Misfit in Love
Once Upon an Eid
Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
The Proudest Blue
A Story of Hijab and Family
The Proudest Blue
A Story of Hijab and Family
Hungry Hearts
13 Tales of Food & Love
