Ali the Great and the Karate Belt Blues

Description: Ali is sure he's a karate great, so why is he placed with little kids at karate class?

Brief description: Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American writer, interfaith activist, and cultural sensitivity trainer featured in O, The Oprah Magazine. She is the author of the Yasmin and Ali the Great series, and the Eisner award-nominated graphic novel Saving Sunshine. She also writes chapter books, picture books, and middle grade novels. Saadia is editor-in-chief of Blue Minaret, an online magazine of poetry, short stories, and art. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her family.

Review Quotes: Ali the Great is back with more charming adventures in this early chapter book series. In these new titles, Ali competes in a class spelling bee, takes his first karate class inspired by his idol Muhammad Ali, learns it's brave to cry after a fall on the monkey bars and hones both swimming and big brother skills. Each book opens with an introduction to Ali's close-knit Pakistani ­American family and includes Urdu words, offering cultural context and linguistic ­diversity. End matter features themed jokes, simple crafts with clear instructions, and discussion questions to support comprehension and engagement. The books are structured in three short chapters, with simple vocabulary and short sentences ideal for newly ­independent readers. Bold, colorful illustrations appear on nearly every spread, ­enhancing accessibility and appeal. The ­titles can be read in any order and each stands on its own. VERDICT A standout ­diverse series for early readers; highly recommended for growing collections.-- "School Library Journal"