Once Upon an Eid (Paperback)

Once Upon an Eid is a joyous short story collection by and about Muslims, edited by New York Times bestselling authors Aisha Saeed and S. K. Ali.

Eid! The short, single syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and the holiday parties, or carnival rides to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy.

Contributors include G. Willow Wilson, Hena Khan, N. H. Senzai, Hanna Alkaf, Rukhsana Khan, Randa Abdel-Fattah, Ashley Franklin, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Candice Montgomery, Huda Al-Marashi, Ayesha Mattu, Asmaa Hussein, and Sara Alfageeh.

“Each story is engaging, full of emotion and thought. . . . This thoughtful and uplifting volume will keep readers turning pages year-round; here's to many more.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“A range of diverse, multidimensional characters—among them Shia Muslim, converted Muslim, Algerian, Caribbean, and West African representation—results in a stimulating, celebratory read.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Praise

**STARRED REVIEW**
"This special anthology about family traditions, sharing meals, giving presents, and delighting in the cultural uniqueness of people all over the world isn’t just for those who celebrate Eid; it’s for all who want to share and learn about the holidays."
Booklist
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**STARRED REVIEW**
"The diversity within the collection is impressive, including several blended families and a recently converted one, and while the writing varies in style and quality, each story is engaging, full of emotion and thought. . . This thoughtful and uplifting volume will keep readers turning pages year-round; here's to many more."
Kirkus Reviews
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**STARRED REVIEW**
"A range of diverse, multidimensional characters—among them Shia Muslim, converted Muslim, Algerian, Caribbean, and West African representation—results in a stimulating, celebratory read."
Publishers Weekly
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**STARRED REVIEW**
"Emotions seem to spill straight off the pages in this absolute triumph of a celebratory anthology."
School Library Connection
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**STARRED REVIEW**
"A joyous title that radiates love. This much-needed collection is recommended as a first purchase for all libraries."
School Library Journal
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"A delightful and varied collection of stories for middle-grade readers showcases a cross-section of Muslim experiences of the joyous Eid holidays."
Shelf Awareness
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"Joyful reunions, irritating relatives, fancy clothes, and special, heartfelt gifts appear in many of the tales, giving an overall tone of warmth and playfulness, and even the stories that take a more somber approach end with possibilities of hope and optimism."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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