Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (Bashir Boutros #1)

Jreije (Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies) imbues a globe-trotting adventure across various Arab cities with a journey of self-confidence in this fantasy duology opener. When 11-year-old Bashir Boutros accidentally bonds with a centuries-old jinn housed in a gold ring retrieved from the ocean, he becomes a target for evil entities eager to feed on his aura, the mystical force that exists in everything. After a power-hungry demon lord named Ali Adin kidnaps Bashir’s parents, Bashir teams up with slightly older Alina and teenage Ziad, members of the Magi, an ancient order sworn to protect humankind. As they race to find missing fragments of the magically powerful Jewel of the Nile before Ali Adin can claim them for himself, Bashir must determine how to save his loved ones, even as he struggles to believe he has the ability to do so. Ample humor and thrilling twists enliven Bashir’s initially slow-moving quest. Via the protagonist’s journey to overcome self-doubt, Jreije underscores themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage. Bashir is Lebanese American; supporting characters are of Arab descent. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary. (May)