The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class: Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage
Written by Kekla Magoon
Illustrated by Kat Fajardo
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Meet the kids in Mrs. Z’s wacky and wonderful third-grade class!
Mrs. Z’s class is holding a variety show, and everyone has signed up to demonstrate their special skills! Everyone, that is, except Ayana Ndoum. She’s good at reading, but someone’s already reciting a poem. She’s good at synchronized swimming, but they can’t get a pool onstage. What could her act be?
Before she can figure it out, she has an even bigger problem to deal with: Why is her dad at school?
Turns out her dad is a variety show volunteer! He talks to everyone and asks too many questions. It’s embarrassing for Ayana, who likes to be quiet and help from the sidelines. With her dad taking up the spotlight, will she ever find her own way to shine?
Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Ayana’s story invites readers into Mrs. Z’s class where friendship and fun rule the school, from award-winning author Kekla Magoon.
The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order!
Primary ISBN: 9781523527533
Publication Date: March 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Chapter Book, Age 06 or older
Community Represented: Cameroonian/Cameroonian American
Themes: Arts, Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 1st, Identity: Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Sports, Welcoming by School
Setting: United States
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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Source: Hachette Book Group