  | Marya Khan and the disastrous class project (Marya Khan) Author: Faruqi, Saadia | |
| Price: $20.48 | ||
Summary:
When new student Waleed joins the class, third-grader Marya is excited to work with him on a project about Pakistan, but has trouble helping Waleed overcome his fear of speaking while learning about her grandparents' country.
| Illustrator: | Bushry, Ani |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (05/01/25)
Booklist (04/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/01/2025 Gr 2–4—Marya Khan is partnered with a new boy named Waleed for a class project. Waleed, who is from Pakistan—the same country as Marya's family—is very quiet and shy. When Marya starts working on their project about Pakistan, Waleed initially refuses to discuss his homeland. Determined to bridge the gap, Marya makes it her mission to befriend him. Each chapter opens with a "word of the day," offering fun vocabulary practice, even though most events unfold within a single day. Grayscale illustrations break up the text and add visual interest, making the book especially approachable for readers transitioning to longer chapter books. VERDICT A wonderful addition to any collection, this story offers insights into Pakistani culture and the challenges—and rewards—of making new friends in a new place. - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 04/01/2025 Bright, energetic Marya Khan is joyful when her third-grade teacher, Miss Piccolo, announces a new class project. But when she chooses Marya to be “class buddy” for Waleed, a new Pakistani American classmate, she has mixed feelings. Waleed is smart but very shy and unwilling to speak up in class, so Marya embarks on a campaign to befriend him in order to ensure that they present an excellent joint report. Their assigned topic, Pakistan, interests them both, though Waleed has more firsthand knowledge of the country. Still, it's Marya’s tactful approach, patience, and kindness that help Waleed conquer his stage fright before the oral report is due. But when they begin introducing their project, talkative Marya freezes up, to her classmates’ amusement, while Waleed smoothly takes over the presentation. The book’s strength lies in Faruqi’s ability to recreate the ups and downs of Marya’s experiences within her family and her school community. Both the vivid character portrayals and the many grayscale illustrations will please readers of this transitional chapter book from the enjoyable Marya Khan series. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
