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Good Reads

3D PHOTO BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS; BACKGROUND: VENTURA CARMONA—GETTY IMAGES

We asked TFK Kid Reporters to review some new books that readers might enjoy. Here’s what they had to say.

Daughters of the Lamp

3D PHOTO BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS

Sahara has always felt insignificant. She follows logic and always has a plan. But a necklace belonging to her late mother changes all of that.

Daughters of the Lamp follows Sahara to a family wedding in Cairo, Egypt. There, her necklace starts glowing—before it disappears. As she looks into the origin of the necklace, family secrets are unearthed. Author Nedda Lewers weaves Arabian fairy tales into this mysterious and magical adventure. —By TFK Kid Reporter Sophia Zhang

The Partition Project

3D PHOTO BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS

Maha loves storytelling. She explores her grandmother’s life story by making a documentary about her for school. Maha learns about her grandmother’s experience growing up in India and her move from India to Pakistan.

The Partition Project, by Saadia Faruqi, focuses on the importance of family bonds and of hearing the stories of our grandparents’ lives. —By TFK Kid Reporter Audrey Owolo

Shiny Misfits

3D PHOTO BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS

Written by Maysoon Zayid, with art by Shadia Amin, this graphic novel grabs you from the first chapter. Bay Ann has cerebral palsy, but she doesn’t let that hold her back. She loves tap dancing, and decides to perform at her school talent show. She hopes doing so will get her closer to her dream of being famous. But Bay Ann’s plans go awry when she goes viral—for all the wrong reasons. Shiny Misfits is great for kids who enjoy graphic novels or stories about navigating friendships and tricky social situations. —By TFK Kid Reporter Harper Carroll

This Again?

3D PHOTO BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS

Would you go back in time to change your future? In this funny, time-traveling adventure by Adam Borba, middle schooler Noah Nicholson does just that. He’s running for class president. Plus, he must choose between hanging out with his friends, getting straight As, and being popular. Noah wants to follow in his successful older brother’s footsteps. But is he trying so hard to be like Paul that he forgets who the real Noah is? Can he go back in time to make his life perfect? If you’re looking for a relatable fantasy story, this book is definitely for you. —By TFK Kid Reporter Ben Stern

Zombie Train

3D PHOTO BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS

Imagine a world where people turn into zombies because of a parasite that affects only grown-ups. In Zombie Train, by David Macinnis Gill, a boy named Wyatt is on a train filled with kids he’s protecting. One day, he meets Ryle. She gains his trust. But Ryle has a plan to hijack the train so she can get to Nirvana, where there’s a cure—or so she’s been told. The book has many twists and turns. You won’t want to put it down. Will Wyatt discover Ryle’s plan? Is Nirvana real? Who’ll turn into a zombie next? —By TFK Kid Reporter Ninis Twumasi