A RAMADAN TO REMEMBER

A child longs to find a friend with whom to observe Ramadan.

Zain and his family have moved, and the boy is downhearted. With no mosque nearby and no Islamic school to attend, he worries that Ramadan won’t feel the same. Zain explores his neighborhood and searches for signs of other Muslims but returns home disappointed. A few days later, he and his parents build a mosque using the empty cardboard boxes from their move. Soon neighborhood children are attracted to Zain’s creation, and he teaches them about Ramadan—fasting, showing gratitude, and giving to those in need. After Zain and his parents pray outside, much to Zain’s surprise, another Muslim boy, Ahmed, joins in! Jubilant, Zain realizes his Ramadan will be more special than ever. Ali successfully weaves a heartwarming tale of teachable moments around the traditions of Ramadan while sensitively navigating Zain’s loss of his prior community and his resilience as he forges new bonds, all with the support of his loving family. Awatiff’s vivid, jewel-toned illustrations make clear that Ramadan is a special time for Muslims. Cues in the text suggest that Zain and his family are South Asian. Zain’s new community is diverse; Ahmed is brown-skinned. Backmatter includes information on how Ramadan is observed around the world, a glossary, Zain’s Ramadan essentials, and a “Make Your Own Ramadan Treat Bags” activity, which invites readers to join in the fun.

An uplifting tale about recapturing the spirit of Ramadan.