Almost Sunset

It’s Hassan’s third year fasting for the monthlong observance of Ramadan, but it’s the first year he’s gone to the mosque every night to pray alongside his father. The new routine has been affecting his everyday life, especially his studies and his performance as Boss Hassan, center midfielder on the soccer team: he’s been falling asleep in class, and he frequently misses the end of practices, as his mother picks him up after school so the family can nap before dinner. Since the end of Ramadan coincides with soccer playoffs, he avoids telling anyone he’s fasting, but when his friends substitute him with white-cued teammate Rosie during online gaming hangouts (that Hassan can’t participate in due to family obligations), he gets jealous. Then his failing math grades force Coach to take him off the team. Algarmi utilizes a friendly comic-strip style to portray Hassan’s struggles balancing expectations from family, friends, and school administrators. Casual dialogue depicts amiable tween and adult interactions and establishes ample context surrounding the celebration of Ramadan, including the dress, prayer, rituals, and food; dotted eyes, a comma nose, and toothy expressions render Hassan’s furrowed-brow earnestness, whole-body enthusiasm, and high-minded aspirations in navigating his complex feelings regarding his heritage in this wholesome graphic novel debut. Ages 8–12. (Feb.)