On Point (Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream #2) by Hena Khan: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review

Zayd loves being on the best team in the fourth grade. With his hard work attitude, he's sure the season will be amazing. With his best friend, Adam, on the team, how could it not be? 

The team gets off to a rough start, with some losses. To make matters worse, Adam decides to drop off the team and play football instead. His new friends take him from Zayd, leaving Zayd bewildered and discouraged. As if life at school and on the team aren't bad enough, Zayd's home life is so centered on his uncle Mamoo's wedding preparations that nobody seems to notice his disappointment.

Luckily, Zayd continues to work hard while immersing himself in his culture and family. In doing so, he comes to some small realizations about life he passes on to his uncle. A charming look into family through sports.

★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 29, 2018)

ISBN: 978-1534412019

Ages 7-10

This book can be purchased on Amazon

Power Forward (Zayd Salem, Chasing the Dream) by Hena Khan: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Zayd knows he must practice hard and often to make the gold basketball team, especially since he's smaller than the other guys on the team. Unfortunately, skipping orchestra practice to sharpen his skills does nothing to advance his goals.

When his mother finds out Zayd has traded his violin for basketball, she grounds him for the two weeks leading to try outs. Not only is he not allowed to play basketball, he's not even allowed to talk about it. Even worse, his punishment doesn't end until after try outs, meaning he will have to miss them. Zayd's Pakistani-American family lends support in distinct generational ways but will their firm but loving stance be enough to get him through? In the end, honesty and understanding on both sides endears the reader to Zayd and his family. 

A solid start for the series, Power Forward will have the young reader wondering what happens next.

★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 8, 2018)

ISBN: 978-1-5344-1198-2

Ages 6-11

This book can be purchased on Amazon