Grappling with topics of racial discrimination and divided perceptions, Saadia Faruqi (A Thousand Questions) has expertly crafted a story of family, friendship, and empowerment in her poignant new middle grade novel YUSUF AZEEM IS NOT A HERO.

Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey, Texas—and nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can win. Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks—an anniversary that has everyone in his family on edge. After reading his uncle’s journal from that time, Yusuf feels like he almost understands what the nation’s fear and anger felt like.

But when certain people in town start to say hateful things to Yusuf and his community, he realizes that the anger hasn’t gone away. And soon he will have to stand up to the bullies with understanding, justice and love.

With empathy and thoughtfulness, Faruqi writes about the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that rocked the U.S. and brings the moment and all the emotions it evokes to life with Yusuf.

Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani-American writer, interfaith activist, and cultural-sensitivity trainer. She is the author of the children’s series Yasmin, the middle grade novel A Thousand Questions, and the coauthor of the middle grade novel A Place at the Table. She was profiled in O magazine as a woman making a difference in her community and serves as editor in chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine for Muslim art, poetry, and prose. She resides in Houston, TX, with her family.