"Replete with food-related memories, heart-wrenching stories, and warm tales of friendship, this is a riveting read. Maha confronts her own prejudices about the value of stories and what constitutes newsworthiness. In the process, she personally unravels her history and heritage (in ways that resonate with her American classmates who are also made to feel that they look like they’re “‘from somewhere else’”) and forges a new understanding of herself and her relationships. Powerful and timely." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Readers will discover along with Maha how our separate histories connect to our shared future, and the importance of archiving and protecting the personal stories of collective moments. A heartwarming exploration of history through personal stories perfect for middle grade readers." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"A fast-paced page-turner of a novel." — Booklist
"In this vivid rendering of how growing cultural awareness and identity exploration can shape one’s adolescence, Faruqi presents an empowering story of family that will bolster tweens negotiating blended identities." — Publishers Weekly
"Readers are rewarded with a deeply immersive and moving story as Maha experiences a shift in understanding of her hyphenated identities and connects her family’s history to other immigrant experiences." — Horn Book Magazine
"Maha’s conflicts with friends, a nascent crush and Dadi’s brief disappearance are swiftly resolved. But it’s Rafia Raheem’s journey that will keep readers riveted. Transcripts of Maha’s raw footage punctuate the text, their tone in stark contrast to Maha’s first-person, contemporary narrative. These interludes are full of love, pathos and unforgettable memories." — New York Times