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“A heartwarming, skillfully wrought tale of courage, forgiveness, and new beginnings. Instead of oversimplifications that classify people as heroes or villains, Faruqi puts her characters into situations where their innate goodness can shine.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Faruqi brings this devastating natural event to life with the authentic details embedded into the narrative while showing the resilience of ­Houston. Readers will root for these well-written protagonists with distinct points of view.”

—School Library Journal

“A simultaneously timely and nail-biting reflection on environmental change as well as a moving exploration of resilience, friendship, forgiveness, and courage. In this pulse-pounding novel, Faruqi reflects on Hurricane Harvey’s impact on Houston, where she resides.”

—Publisher’s Weekly

“The characters are thoughtfully created, and their reflections on class, immigrants, and absentee parents are developed with nuance. The story sugarcoats neither the difficulties they face nor the devastation wreaked on Houston. The evolution of the protagonists and the lack of a quick fix serve as reminders that friendships, recovery, and healing all take time.”

—Horn Book Reviews

Some of Us Are Brave

Written by Saadia Faruqi
Published by Quill Tree Books

It’s a humid summer in Houston, Texas, and Yasir is dreaming of being soccer team captain—if only he could get the team bully, Cody, off his back, and maybe impress his sort-of-crush, Mona. Meanwhile, Mona is turning her nightmares into art, and Cody’s home life feels as tense as the storm literally brewing down the coast.

When Hurricane Harvey makes landfall, the three kids could hardly be called friends. But as their regular lives fall apart and rising floodwaters pull them together, Mona, Cody, and Yasir will need to work as a team if they want to survive. The hurricane will churn up their deepest fears and cement their bond forever—if it doesn’t tear them apart.

Primary ISBN: 9780063389533
Publication Date: February 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented: ,

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

Setting: United States (Houston TX)

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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