Anisa’s International Day

In Atlanta, spirited third grader narrator Anisa Zakaria, who is Pakistani American, enjoys drawing; baking with first grader sister Zineera, with whom she runs a small bakery for family; and laughing with jokester best friend Katie, who reads as white. When Anisa wears a new kurta that her Nani sends from Pakistan, it gives her beloved teacher the idea to hold an International Day, for which each student will choose a state or country to which they have a connection. Looking for an “ingenious” idea for the celebration, the occasion of Anisa’s beloved aunt’s pre-wedding dholki inspires her to plan on bringing mehndi for International Day. But after Katie seems to laugh at Anisa’s decorated palms, Anisa surveys classmates about the ingredients required of a good friend, determining that Katie no longer measures up—and resulting in a fallout. Exploring a cross-cultural friendship alongside interpersonal dynamics at home and school, Faruqi (Unsettled) uses a light touch to articulate one student’s multifaceted struggles around sharing an intersection of her identity in a slice-of-life chapter book that deftly portrays elements of Pakistani culture. Final art not seen by PW. A glossary, recipes, and activities conclude. Ages 8–12. Agent: Rena Rossner, Deborah Harris Agency. (Sept.)