Rukhsanna Guidroz

Samira's family are Rohinga, traditionally Muslim from the the country of Burma, now under persecution. She fled with them to Bangladesh, where they live just outside the refugee camps and she sells eggs on the beach as they try to make ends meet. She wants more than her role and gender provide, and starts surfing with the other vendor girls and learning to read in secret. Really well done novel in verse -- dives deeply into many types of conflict while allowing Samira's spirit to shine.

Little Leila discovers that she is so much more than just “skinny arms and knobby knees.”

Leila is at her grandmother’s house for their weekly Friday family dinner. When Naani tells her, “Saffron is a good color for you,” a buoyant Leila goes on the lookout for other things to like about herself. That evening, Leila is delighted to discover that she and her aunt have the same smile. She also bursts with pride when everyone praises the curry she helped Naani make (with some cilantro show more from neighbor Miguel’s garden). Just before going home, Leila tries on Naani’s saffron-colored silk scarf and is surprised by how beautiful she looks in the mirror. Only then does she realize that “each and every part of me comes together to make me who I am.” While young children may need help understanding how Leila gets from A to B, there is much to love about this book. Guidroz’s sensory magic shines in the “clink clink” of Naani’s glass bangles and in her shimmering silk scarves “the color of lentils, bright and orange,” and “pomegranates, juicy and rosy.” Plus, Mirtalipova’s mixed-media illustrations expertly convey the vivacity and warmth of Leila’s family and their Pakistani culture. A glossary in the back provides pronunciations and definitions for Arabic and Urdu words included.

A glorious book that’s a feast for both eyes and ears, this story set in a multicultural context will ring true for children of all stripes. (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review show less

A young girl who isn't sure she likes what she sees when she looks in the mirror, Leila gets some much-needed affirmation during her weekly visit at her Naani's house, as her extended family all get together for food and music. Wearing a saffron scarf of Naani's, she suddenly sees her own beauty, and through the love and praise of her family, who compliment her curries, realizes that she has talent...

A sweet and heartwarming story of family love and self-worth from author Rukhsanna Guidroz show more is paired with gorgeous artwork from illustrator Dinara Mirtalipova in Leila in Saffron. This is the second title I have read from Simon & Schuster's new "Salaam Reads" imprint, intended to highlight and represent the lives of America's Muslim children, and it is definitely an inducement to read more. I don't know that the story here is all that memorable, although it is certainly engaging, but the artwork is so lovely - colorful, vibrant, beautifully-designed - that I added an extra star to my rating. I would certainly seek out more work from Mirtalipova! Recommended to anyone who appreciates beautiful picture-book art, as well as to those seeking children's stories with a Pakistani-American cultural background and/or a message of self worth and affirmation. show less

Samira and her family are Rohingya refugees from Burma, eking out a living outside a refugee camp in Bangladesh. Her grandparents drowned on the sea crossing and the family is uncertain about the fate of relatives and friends back home. Samira helps her family by selling egg snacks on the beach to tourists. There she meets and befriends a small group of girls also plying their wares on the beach but who also enjoy surfing when they have access to boards. When a surfing contest and cash prize show more is announced, Samira sees this as a way to help support her family. But first she must learn to surf. As far as I know this is a first in children's literature about the recent history and plight of the Rohingya people. A unique addition to the genre of immigration stories and still timely as the situation is ongoing. Samira's voice is engaging and hopeful, but also well aware of her outsider status. The one lacking piece for me was her journey to learn surfing--I didn't get a true sense of her growth. show less