Huda F Cares: (National Book Award Finalist)

Huda is hilarious and charming. Her books are always worth reading and worth buying.

such a funny book my teens love reading Huda's books. .. perfect gift for comic readers

Love this! She's so funny and the things she goes through are literally how I grew up! We would do road trips and eat our own food on picnic tables and pray outdoors. Love that she made a friend! And found out more about her older sister. Seriously, Huda is awesome.

Huda wrote a good story encapsulated in a graphic novel. Inshallah we will have more good stories from her.

Egyptian American Huda Fahmy finally has school figured out after the family's recent move to Dearborn, Michigan. But her sisters are still largely a mystery despite her mother's constant efforts to initiate forced family bonding.Which is why a family road trip isn't a big surprise. The shock is that Huda and her Muslim family are heading to Disney World. Even though magic is haram, Huda and her sisters are hype to visit the most magical place on earth--especially when their parents announce the trip is the perfect time for the sisters to ... you guessed it ... bond!Driving from Michigan to Florida is a lot and, for Huda, so is the self-consciousness when she notices other tourists gawking at them during prayers. Plus the obligatory jokes about their hijabs and Huda's abaya. Huda wants to make the most of the trip, try to make some new friends, and maybe even (possibly) bond with her sisters. But is that all too much to take on during one family trip?Huda may not have gotten to choose her family but when things go sideways on their final day in the park, Huda's sisters are ready to help turn things around in Huda F Cares? (2023) by Huda Fahmy.Fahmy is back with another fictionalized memoir partially inspired by her own family. Although this story picks up shortly after Huda F Are You?, the story here works on its own and can be read alone. Huda F Cares? is also on the longlist for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.Huda F Cares? focuses more on Huda and her family during the long road trip and the ups and downs of their family vacation. Fahmy blends her own role as the writer with Huda the character to offer thoughtful commentary on both her family's internal dynamics and what it means for all of them to move through the world as a visibly Muslim family--especially in a visibly not-Muslim tourist destination like Disney World.Throughout this graphic novel Huda learns how to balance her own pride in her religion and her family with her hopes to fit in which means navigating micro-aggressions while waiting for rides and figuring out what to do when a potential friend doesn't stand up for her as much as Huda would like. Huda F Cares? also gives readers a lot more background on Huda's sisters, especially edlest Dena, who readers learn has had her own struggles with confronting racist comments and unacceptable behavior like someone trying to remove her hijab.Astute humor, large full-color panels, and Fahmy's signature art style once again make Huda F Cares? a funny, immersive book that reminds readers that staying true to yourself and having fun don't have to be mututally exclusive. Highly recommended.Possible Pairings: Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi, Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova, Does My Body Offend You? by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt, All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney, Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin, Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

A great story about sister and knowing and coming to understand and love your family. The feeling in this were very easily identified with for me.

Fun and enjoyable read with a strong message about family and understanding. I'm definitely a fan and look forward to reading more Huda F adventures.

The second Huda graphic novel and it was just as endearing as the first; though, I do think the first one is a bit funnier. In Huda F Cares, we dig deeper into Huda’s relationship with her sisters and parents. I loved seeing the different dynamics between the sisters and all the sibling squabbles. It was sweet to see the sisters learn to empathize and listen to each other.The book also goes into Huda’s struggles to be a visibly proud Muslim but not wanting to attract attention for being “weird.” We see a lot more of Huda’s introspective thoughts. Part of her wants to do what is right and in line with her beliefs and values. Another part of her is a bit more of a rebel/bluntly honest. She wants to make friends with others, fly under the radar. She wishes she didn’t have to always feel “othered” just for being Muslim. This constant back and forth is a big part of the storytelling.Just like the first book, I’m a fan of the art style. Her simple illustration style is so expressive. I love all the expressions the characters make. My favorite panel was Huda melting in the Florida heat. I recently visited Disney World (and Florida) for the first time and the drawing of Huda profusely sweating was hilariously relatable for me.I do think the first book was funnier, but I appreciate the sweet familial love portrayed in Huda F Cares.