Nayra and the Djinn
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
In this coming-of-age graphic novel with a fantastical twist, Nayra Mansour, a Muslim American girl, is helped on her journey to selfhood by a djinn.
Nothing is going right for Nayra Mansour. There's the constant pressure from her strict family, ruthless bullying from her classmates, and exhausting friendship demands from Rami –the only other Muslim girl at school. Nayra has had enough. Just when she's considering transferring schools to escape it all, a mysterious djinn named Marjan appears.
As a djinn, a mythical being in Islamic folklore, Marjan uses their powers and wisdom to help Nayra navigate her overwhelming life. But Marjan's past is fraught with secrets, guilt, and trouble, and if they don’t face what they’ve done, Nayra could pay the price.
In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, Iasmin Omar Ata has created a realistic coming-of-age story with an enchanting dose of the fantastical about strength, identity, and, most of all, friendship.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A Muslim teen and a djinn's newfound friendship helps them both right past wrongs in this inviting, Islamic folklore–filled graphic novel by Ata (Mis(h)adra, for adults). Nayra Mansour is having a terrible Ramadan: not only is she light-headed from fasting all day, she's struggling with coursework, growing distant from her Muslim best friend Rami, contending with her family's criticism regarding her poor grades and withdrawn attitude, and being mocked by classmates for observing her faith. More than anything, Nayra feels alone, so when Marjan, a djinn made of purple smoke, mysteriously appears in Nayra's bedroom desperate for help and a place to hide, Nayra happily allows Marjan into her life. But Nayra's burgeoning friendship with Marjan widens the rift between her and Rami, and things become further complicated when Nayra realizes there's more to Marjan's story than they're letting on. Pastel purples, pinks, and blues heighten the graphic novel's mythical trappings with a soft, melancholy atmosphere and provide a skillful visual contrast between the djinn world and Nayra's real life. Though dialogue is occasionally stilted, Ata deftly constructs a narrative about the challenges surrounding asking for and granting forgiveness, and moving forward. Ages 10–up.
