Lailah’s Lunchbox
*2019 Daybreak Children’s Picture Book Award — Recognizing Muslim Women’s Contributions to Literature*
*Notable Social Studies Trade Book For Young People 2016, a cooperative Project of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children’s Book Council*
*Featured Book of the Month, Anti-Defamation League*
*American Library Association Notable Book for Children 2016*
*Skipping Stones Honor 2016*
*International Literacy Association Choices Reading List
My book was featured in The New York Times and Washington Post.
Amira’s Picture Day – 3 Starred Reviews!
★ “Faruqi effectively builds up the excitement to celebrate Eid and balances it with Amira’s distress at missing Picture Day—readers will see that both are important. The characters and interactions at the masjid are real, reinforcing a community celebrating Eid, and so are Amira’s interactions with her classmates. Azim’s illustrations pair well with Faruqi’s words, focusing on facial expression as well as body language to highlight the mixed emotions: excitement, sadness, surprise. There is much diversity among the people at the masjid, including hijab styles, other attire, and racial presentation. . . . Sweet and sympathetic.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ “Faruqi’s prose is sweetly descriptive (“Tiny mirrors on her blue shalwar kameez shone happily in the sunlight”), and jewel-toned digital illustrations by Azim have a joyful, comics-style sensibility, with meticulous attention paid to the attire of the diverse crowd at the masjid. An endearing portrait of one child’s specific cultural concern, with universal appeal for any reader ever caught between conflicting commitments. Back matter includes an author’s note, more information on Eid, and a glossary. Ages 4–8. (Apr.) – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★ “Deceptively simple, Faruqi’s narrative gently addresses the impact that the celebration of non-Judeo-Christian holidays has on children and choices families make to uphold traditions. Moreover, Amira’s conflicted feelings and insistence on finding a solution create opportunities for dialogue about the importance of acknowledging spaces that matter to children, especially while families try to foster positive identity. Azim’s illustrations are fun and colorful, with tiny details reflecting the family’s personality, while the people attending Eid celebrations at Amira’s masjid are racially and culturally diverse, with varied skin tones, body types, and expressions of fashion and style.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year
Chicago Public Library Best of 2021 Picture Books
A Center for the Study of Multi Cultural Literature Best Multicultural Children’s Book of the Year
University of Pennsylvania GSE’s Best Books for Young Readers 2021
The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022 Edition by Children’s Book Committee and Bank Street College of Education
Unsettled
★ “Faruqi’s use of free verse will captivate readers with its metaphors that emphasize feelings and details of daily life. Middle schoolers who struggle with fitting in will resonate with the story while also receiving a glimpse into the lives of a Pakistani immigrant family. Lyrical. Hopeful. Poignant.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred.
Unsettled by Reem Faruqi on the May/June Kids’ Indie Next List Preview
“A must–read. Nurah is an immediately captivating, inspiring, and courageous protagonist. I only wish I could have read a book like this when I growing up. At once an enlightening and relatable read with a message that cannot be ignored.” – Stephanie Skees, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, MO
“Playful and heartfelt, this is a book about family missed and friendship found, of making mistakes, speaking up, and learning to flourish in a new home,” – Rajani LaRocca says on Today.com
“A lyrical coming of age story exploring family, immigration, and most of all belonging.” —Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound
“This empowering story will resonate with people who have struggled to both fit in and stay true to themselves.” —Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor author of The Night Diary
“A gorgeously written story, filled with warmth and depth.” —Hena Khan, author of Amina’s Voice
“Writing in spare but evocative verse, author Reem Faruqi creates a vivid and semiautobiographical tale of faith and family. Unsettled will have readers rooting for Nurah as she swims her way across the finish line to a new understanding of herself and her place in the world.” – BookPage Review
National Council of Teachers of English Notable Verse Novel
#1 Indie Bestseller
Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books for 2021
Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Finalist for Older Readers 2022
2021 Nerdy Winner for Novels in Verse and Poetry
University of Pennsylvania GSE’s Best Books for Young Readers 2021
The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022 Edition by Children’s Book Committee and Bank Street College of Education
Georgia Children’s Book Award Nominees Finalist for 2022-2023
3 Starred Reviews !
★ “An illuminating glimpse into how a young child learns to trust her instinct and be kind to others.” – Starred Review, Kirkus.
★ “I Can Help is a memorable story about the rippling and lingering effects of cruelty and the redeeming power of kindness.” Book Page Reviews, Starred
★ “The tightly written narrative could lead to discussions about handling peer pressure, dealing with ethical predicaments, and learning from one’s mistakes.” -ALA BookList Reviews, Starred
Amazon’s Best Children’s Books of 2021 for ages 6-8
The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022 Edition by Children’s Book Committee and Bank Street College of Education
A Center for the Study of Multi Cultural Literature Best Multicultural Children’s Book of the Year
2022 Georgia Author of the Year Awards Finalist for Children’s Book
2022 Bock Book Award for Children’s Literature from Neumann University
★ “This skillfully imagined novel is immediately absorbing. Faruqi’s lilting lines have plenty to savor, but her pages turn quickly, drawing readers easily into Aafiyah’s story. In spare but carefully chosen words, Faruqi builds a complex drama. All of the relationships ring with authenticity and emotion. Faruqi is the author of several picture books, including Amira’s Picture Day and I Can Help, as well as a middle grade novel in verse, Unsettled. Golden Girl cements her place as one of the brightest rising stars in children’s literature.” – BookPage, Starred Review
– The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2023 Edition by Children’s Book Committee and Bank Street College of Education
– Best Middle Grade Books of 2022 – BookPage
Georgia Children’s Book Award Nominees Finalist for 2023-2024
2022 Nerdy Winner for Novels in Verse and Poetry
Newburyport Library Favorites of 2022
2022 Kids and Young Adult Bestsellers at Charis Books
Best Children’s Books of 2022 – Feminist Books for Kids
4. Anisa’s International Day (Harper Collins Fall 9-20-22) To be illustrated by Aaliyah Jaleel
Anisa’s International Day:
2023 list of Books All Young Georgians Should Read – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A winsome tale starring a determined young protagonist.” – Kirkus Reviews
5. Milloo’s Mind (HarperCollins 1/17/2023). To be Illustrated by Hoda Hadadi.
★ “Powerful prose underscores Milloo’s determination and the importance of gender equity in education. The detailed art invites readers to linger over each page, poring over collaged outfits and patterns, all of which evoke a strong sense of place.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★“With euphonious prose, Faruqi commemorates the accomplishments of her grandmother, educator Maryam “Milloo” Faruqi (1920–2012), known for founding Happy Home Schools in Karachi, Pakistan. Vividly colored, elegantly textured and paper collages by Hadadi provide visual depth against white backdrops” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Finalist for 2025 Georgia Children’s Picture book (Gr. K-4) Award
2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Book list
CALL ME ADNAN
- a Daybreak Press tween fiction award
- a Cybils Finalist Award
- a Junior Library Guild selection.
- “Faruqi renders this tender story of loss with a deft hand, employing vivid details surrounding Adnan’s Pakistani Muslim identity . . . and nuanced characterizations to present a tear-jerking ode to family.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Junior Library Guild selection
2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Book list
★“With colorful, appealing cartoon illustrations and a text that reads aloud well, this touching story encourages kids not only to accept people from different cultures and religions but to stand up for themselves when they’re being bullied.” —ALA Booklist (starred review)
Doodling Through Life 