Samira’s Worst Best Summer
Written by Nina Hamza
Published by Quill Tree Books
Samira has always been best friends with Kiera. But these days, Kiera would rather hang out with the cool girls, leaving Sammy to play with Imran, her little brother, who is on the autism spectrum. Then out of nowhere, Sammy’s house gets TP’d. Could Kiera be behind the prank? Or maybe it’s because they’re the only Muslim family on the street?
Sammy and her Umma try to convince Imran, who is upset that their house was targeted, that they weren’t being singled out. Their solution—asking a neighbor to TP their own house—works a little too well, and Sammy is left cleaning up soggy toilet paper after a surprise storm. It’s there that she meets new girl Alice. Alice wants to figure out who was responsible for the original TP’ing, and she wants Sammy to help her.
Suddenly, Sammy’s “boring” summer is full of clue-finding hunts, dinner parties, garage band practices, and getting to know her neighbors (and neighborhood) like never before. And when Kiera starts stealing Alice away, Sammy must decide whether she can continue on without a best friend or if she wants to stand up for her new pal. One thing is certain: this summer is either going to be the worst (or maybe the best) of Sammy’s life.
Primary ISBN: 9780063024946
Publication Date: May 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Coming of Age, Community Action, Cross-Group Friendship, Discrimination: Racial, Discrimination: Religious, Diverse Abilities: Neurological, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Siblings, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 2nd, Mental Health, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Muslim
Setting: Unspecified
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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