Review: Nayra and the Djinn

Title: Nayra and the Djinn
Author: Iasmin Omar Ata
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: February 28, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this coming-of-age graphic novel with a fantastical twist, Nayra Mansour, a Muslim American girl is helped on her journey to selfhood by a djinn. 

Nothing is going right for Nayra Mansour. There’s the constant pressure from her strict family, ruthless bullying from her classmates, and exhausting friendship demands from Rami -the only other Muslim girl at school. Nayra has had enough. Just when she’s considering transferring schools to escape it all, a mysterious Djinn named Marjan appears.

As a djinn, a mythical being in Islamic folklore, Marjan uses their powers and wisdom to help Nayra navigate her overwhelming life. But Marjan’s past is fraught with secrets, guilt, and trouble, and if they don’t face what they’ve done, Nayra could pay the price.

In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, Iasmin Omar Ata has created a realistic coming-of-age story with an enchanting dose of the fantastical about strength, identity, and, most of all, friendship.

Review:

Nayra Mansour is under pressure from her family to do well at school, but her family doesn’t know how much she is bullied for being Muslim. She is friends with the only other Muslim girl at school, Rami, but that friendship isn’t strong enough to make Nayra feel better. While Nayra is considering transferring to a different school, a Djinn, a mythical creature in Islamic folklore, appears before her. The Djinn has run away from their home, but they want to help Nayra with her problems. Nayra has to figure out how to solve her problems with the help of the Djinn. 

This was a great middle grade graphic novel! Nayra experienced a lot of racism and Islamophobia from her classmates. There was one girl who would call her names, even when Nayra asked her to stop. Nayra had to figure out a way to connect with the bully in order to get her to stop. It was sad to see her treated like that. Throughout the story, Nayra was fasting for Ramadan, but her classmates didn’t understand that so they made fun of her. If more people can understand and be empathetic to people from different backgrounds, there may be less racism in the world. It’s important for children to read stories like this one to see the harm that can come from bullying and racism. 

Nayra and the Djinn is a great middle grade graphic novel!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: racism, Islamophobia, bullying

Have you read Nayra and the Djinn? What did you think of it?