Description
In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.
Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there’s a fencing tournament coming up—does Faizah have what it takes to be bold?
Love, honesty, and courage shine through every page of this empowering picture book from the bestselling, award-winning team behind The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red.
Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there’s a fencing tournament coming up—does Faizah have what it takes to be bold?
Love, honesty, and courage shine through every page of this empowering picture book from the bestselling, award-winning team behind The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red.
Author Bio
S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the American Library Association’s 2018 William C. Morris Award and the winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle East Book Honor Award; and Love from A to Z, a Today show Read with Jenna Book Club selection. Both novels were named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. She is also the author of Misfit in Love and Love from Mecca to Medina. You can find Sajidah online at SKAliBooks.com and follow her on Instagram @SKAliBooks, TikTok @SKAliBooks, and on Twitter @SajidahWrites.
Review Quotes
“The information about fencing will intrigue, but the true message here is of gaining self-assurance and feeling pride in oneself… This will encourage standing up with confidence.”—Booklist
“Rich, digitally enhanced ink and pencil illustrations beautifully evoke all the movements of fencing and the warmth in the community of which Faizah is a part. Fans of the previous titles will not be disappointed. A recommended addition to picture book collections.” —School Library Journal
A CCBC Children's Choice Book
A Kirkus Best Picture Book
“Heartwarming … A winning tale to be shared over and over.” —Kirkus, starred review
A Kirkus Best Picture Book
“Heartwarming … A winning tale to be shared over and over.” —Kirkus, starred review
Biographical note
Ibtihaj Muhammad has written the picture books The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red and the memoir Proud. She is a fencer and the first Muslim American woman in hijab to compete for the United States in the Olympic Games. She is also the first female Muslim American to medal at the Olympic Games, winning bronze in the women's saber team event. An activist, speaker, and entrepreneur, Ibtihaj has inspired the first hijabi Barbie in her likeness. She invites you to visit her online at ibtihajmuhammad.com.
S. K. Ali is the award-winning author of Saints and Misfits and Love from A to Z, co-author ofThe Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red, and the coeditor of Once Upon a Eid.
Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator whose work has been featured on television and in multiple publications worldwide. Among other books, he illustrated Newbery Honor winning novel The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz and The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali. He currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people.
S. K. Ali is the award-winning author of Saints and Misfits and Love from A to Z, co-author ofThe Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red, and the coeditor of Once Upon a Eid.
Hatem Aly is an Egyptian-born illustrator whose work has been featured on television and in multiple publications worldwide. Among other books, he illustrated Newbery Honor winning novel The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz and The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali. He currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife, son, and more pets than people.
