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“A measured, thoughtful, and complex coming-of-age story. Visually engaging…widely accessible…[and] emotionally resonant.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Refreshing, timely, and well developed, this exploration of the idea of home reminds readers that the world is so much bigger than our living rooms.”

—Booklist, Starred Review

“Hamdy’s narrative of culture complexity is powerful…a riveting read. El Mir’s illustrations are perfectly paired, full of free-flowing humor and occasional strokes of solemnity…An open-hearted coming-of-age story.”

—School Library Journal, Starred Review

Landing in Place: A Graphic Novel

Written by Sherine Hamdy
Illustrated by Myra El Mir
Published by Kokila

A poignant coming-of-age graphic novel about an Egyptian American girl grappling with college, her family, and the political realities of her wider world.

Anisa is following in her sister Reem’s footsteps: She’s a freshman at her sister’s alma mater, she’s on the same premed track, and she’s inherited Reem’s old hotpot, mini-fridge, and textbooks. Even though Anisa would prefer to study art, her parents discount that as a valid career choice. The path laid out before her starts to crumble as Anisa feels she doesn’t belong—either in her organic chemistry class or among the other Muslim students on campus.

When Anisa fails her first semester, she begs her parents to let her take time off to visit Cairo and stay with her beloved grandfather. Finally free to have her own experiences, Anisa begins a journey of self-discovery and, as she bumps up against familial, societal, and religious expectations, she starts to develop her own artistic voice. When Anisa returns to the United States, many of these expectations shift, but she learns to draw on the love of friends and family—including those she’s often at odds with—in order to stay true to herself.

Primary ISBN: 9780735229440
Publication Date: May 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Age 12 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Long Island NY), Egypt (Cairo)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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