Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero
Written by Saadia Faruqi
Published by HarperCollins
Winner of the 2022 I’m Your Neighbor Social Action Book Award
Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey, Texas—and nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can win.
Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge.
With “Never Forget” banners everywhere and a hostile group of townspeople protesting the new mosque, Yusuf realizes that the country’s anger from two decades ago hasn’t gone away. Can he hold onto his joy—and his friendships—in the face of heartache and prejudice?
Primary ISBN: 9780062943255
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Pakistani/Pakistani American
Themes: Award Winner: I'm Your Neighbor Book Awards 2022, Community Action, Discrimination: Cultural, Discrimination: Religious, Education & Literacy, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences, Immigrant: Economic, Multilingual Character, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Recommended: Community Rallying Against Hate, Religious Background: Muslim, Welcoming by Individual
Setting: Texas
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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