Not all books about Ramadan have to be lists of facts. It is ok to show Ramadan and Islamic elements in stories that have their own plots, character arcs, conflicts and resolutions that are not just about abstaining from food and water, or losing your temper. This book set in Ramadan is a story about a Muslim boy and his Christian grandfather, and a whole lot of heart. As a child of a convert, this book spoke to me, and I saw myself in that relationship, not only as a child, but even as an adult bringing my grandparents to my kids Islamic schools, friends’ lunches, and asking them to wait on the side while we pray. I absolutely love the perspective of the protagonist, that he is worried about what Muslims will think of his grandfather not fasting or praying, as opposed to the often shown character worrying about what non Muslims think about us. The paradigm shift is subtle, but empowering to Muslim readers to see that they are not “other” in any environment. The authenticity and how it all comes together in the clear text of the book is beautiful, but I must say, I really struggle with the illustrations. I know art is subjective, and I am no artist, but yikes, I feel like the pictures actually distract from the story unfortunately.
The book starts with Papa coming over to his daughter’s family home and smelling something cinnamon-y delicious. He dives in to the harira soup and recalls the cinnamon Christmas cookies they used to make. Rayan wonders if Papa even remembers that the rest of them are all fasting.
Mama invites him to join the family at Auntie Hana’s for iftar the next night, and Rayan worries what Papa will do when they all pray, or if his friends will wonder why he came to iftaar if he is not fasting.
Papa agrees and offers to make cinnamon cookies to share. Rayan doesn’t like the idea of Christmas cookies at iftar and tells grandpa that Santa won’t be there. The next day when Grandpa comes over to bake, Rayan refuses to help. Part scared, part frustrated, part anxious, Rayan hears everyone having fun, but stays in his room.
When they arrive at the iftaar potluck, Rayan reminds Papa to take of his shoes and then devises a plan to keep the Christmas cookies from causing any embarrassment. Only his sister Aliya foils his plan and Rayan will have to face his own feelings and make things right.
I’ve read this book easily close to twenty times, since ordering it, evaluating it for the Muslim Book Awards 2023, (it won the Holiday category), writing this review, and reading it to my littles at bed time, and it still hits close to the heart every time. It reminds me of my own grandpa, who has been gone almost exactly a year, who may not have always understood our actions as Muslims no matter how often we tried to explain them to him, but never loved us any less.
You can purchase your copy here at Crescent Moon
Islamic School Librarian 