Amal Unbound (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018) by Aisha Saeed is SO Good! I’d been hearing a lot about this New York Times bestseller and am really glad I’ve now read it.
Twelve-year-old Amal loves school, but now she has to stay home and watch her little sisters while her mother recovers from the birth of another baby. Amal wants to be a teacher herself someday, so missing this much school is worrying. Her dreams are shattered one day when she is rude to the wrong man–a member of the ruling family in their Pakistani village. For her effrontery, she is taken away from home to be Jawad Sahib’s servant. How can she survive the intrigue among the Khan’s servants? Will she ever be allowed to return home?
This book would make a fantastic movie. As my previous recommendation, I wish kids all over America could read it.
Previously, I’ve recommended Aisha’s YA novel, Written in the Stars. You can read about it here.
I love this list of Fourteen Things about the author.
Author: Susan Uhlig
Front Desk
Front Desk (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2018) by Kelly Yang is a book I wish everyone could read. (Especially those who take what they have for granted…)
Mia Tang’s parents told her that America was this amazing place. But so far, no house, no dog, and very little money.
Ten-year-old Mia doesn’t want the kids at school to know where she lives–a motel, but better than when they lived in their car. She does like working the front desk. And making new friends. Although she wishes she could speak native English. And write it, too.
But Mr. Yao, the motel owner, is making it harder and harder on her parents. Will they all have to move and find jobs yet again?
Front Desk was named a “Best Book” many times over. See them all here.
Read the real story behind this wonderful story.
Besides being a children’s author, Kelly is a journalist and educator. Read more here.
A book might not sell, but that doesn’t mean the writer wasted time on it, not as long as the writer is learning and growing.
A book might not sell
You don’t make art out of good intentions.
You dont make art
Creativity is born from two seemingly unrelated things suddenly making a new kind of sense together.