Pakistani American Yasmin Ahmad is an inquisitive and spunky second grade student who has a passion for exploring, painting, building, and creating. In each section, Yasmin is challenged with a problem and must use her creative thinking skills to resolve it. While Yasmin’s family is very supportive of her, what I love about Faruqi’s writing is Yasmin works first to find a solution on her own. Yasmin is a great role model for students reminding them to think outside the box and persevere.
Aly’s bold illustrations of Yasmin perfectly complement the text. Readers clearly see how Yasmin questions and ponders any challenge she encounters. Not only are Muslim traditions subtly integrated into Yasmin’s stories readers can also learn Urdu words, Pakistan facts, how to make lassi, a yogurt drink, and a flower motif bookmark at the end of the chapter book.
I cannot wait to introduce Yasmin to my students, for she can be both a mirror and a window. Hoping this book is not a stand alone; Yasmin has so much more she can teach us!
A special thanks to Jennifer Glidden at Capstone for sending an ARC to my #bookexcursion group. Meet Yasmin publishes on August 1, 2018.
Beagles & Books 
1 thought on “Meet Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi Illustrated by Hatem Aly”