Lailah’s Lunchbox

Notable Children’s Book—ALA

Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People —NCSS/CBC

International Literacy Association Award Skipping Stones Honor Award
A Teaching for Change Selection

 

In LAILAH’S LUNCHBOX, Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home, and missing her old friends. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t join them in the lunchroom. Lailah solves her problem with help from the school librarian and her teacher and in doing so learns that she can make new friends who respect her beliefs.

 

This gentle, moving story from first-time author Reem Faruqi comes to life in Lea Lyon’s vibrant illustrations. Lyon uses decorative arabesque borders on intermittent spreads to contrast the ordered patterns of Islamic observances with the unbounded rhythms of American school days.

Written by Reem Faruqi

Illustrated by Lea Lyon

$16.95 hardcover

9780884484318

PICTURE BOOK/FICTION
Ages 6 – 12 • F&P level N; Lexile 590

Reem Faruqi based this book on her own experiences as a young Muslim girl immigrating to the United States. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Lea Lyon lives in California, where she paints and teaches art. She has illustrated several other picture books for Tilbury House including Say Something, PLaying War, and Keep Your Ear on the Ball.