Legends in the Heights
Written by Marguerite Dabaie
Illustrated by Marguerite Dabaie
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Middle school is hard enough without a legendary creature suddenly appearing in your neighborhood and asking you for skateboarding lessons. Twelve-year-old Raia lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, loves video games, and is doing her best to keep her grades up. But when Bazzu the Buraq (a magical horse-bird-lion) appears, her life will never be the same.
Raia, a middle school student in New York City, has often felt like the odd one out at school. So when she meets Bazzu the buraq, a legendary creature, who offers to show her a world of folklore and magic in return for skateboarding lessons, she’s eager to accept. Together, Raia and Bazzu get up to misadventures and explore the world of legends, a fascinating and harmonious community of mythical creatures from all cultures. But as she grows more distant from her real-world friends and family, Raia will have to learn how to balance magic and reality.
Primary ISBN: 9798881602499
Publication Date: March 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Age 10 or older
Community Represented: Mexican/Mexican American, Palestinian/Palestinian American
Themes: Animals, Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Graphic Novel, Genre: Fantasy & Folklore, Identity: Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Muslim
Setting: United States (New York City NY)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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