Rukhsanna Guidroz

Wow, so beautiful! I love the quite, introspectiveness of this book as young Leila encounters things, people, and moments around her family and their house that make up her heritage and who she is. There is focus on the emotional, physical, and intellectual parts of Leila that showcase her as an individual, and I think it's an excellent thing for young readers to see. Plus, the art is absolutely luscious and filled with lovely patterns and colors.

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.