Susan Muaddi Darraj

Farah Rocks New Beginnings

Farah Hajjar is just starting sixth grade at the Magnet Academy when something terrible happens—her house burns down. Even worse, the house fire may be her fault. When her family moves to temporary housing, Farah feels the guilt piling up. Luckily Farah finds comfort in writing, and she channels her energy into starting a creative writing club at her new school. But can Farah convince her new science-focused school to support it?

Publisher: Capstone Books
Publication Date: January 1, 2021
Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781496583413
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Farah Rocks Summer Break​

It's summer break, and Farah is eager to attend an enrichment camp at her new school. But with car trouble and other family expenses, Farah's parents won't be able to pay for the camp this year. Taking matters into her own hands, Farah takes various odd jobs, including selling items at a yard sale, mowing neighbors' lawns, and finally starting her own tutoring business. When Farah discovers that someone is sabotaging her business by taking down her fliers, she's shocked. Can Farah find the culprit, continue her business success, and earn enough money in time to go to the camp of her dreams?

STARRED REVIEW: “Darraj shines a light on sibling relationships, and the malicious, repetitive behaviors of bullies that often go unchecked. […] Farah is a well-rounded character with ambitions and struggles; readers will identify with her challenges and root for her to succeed. A first purchase for upper elementary readers.”   — School Library Journal 

“Darraj writes a strong character who must take on a lot as a fifth grader. Intimate cultural details [...] add to the authenticity of the portrayal of the family’s Palestinian ethnicity.”  — Kirkus Reviews

“A useful window for early chapter book readers and a precious mirror for Arab American kids.”  — Booklist

Publisher: Capstone Books
Publication Date: July 1, 2020
Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1496583406

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Farah Rocks Fifth Grade

Farah and her best friend, Allie Liu, are getting excited to turn in their applications to the Magnet Academy, where they both hope to attend sixth grade. But when new girl Dana Denver shows up, Farah's world is turned upside down. As Dana starts bullying Farah's little brother, Samir, Farah begins to second-guess her choice to leave him behind at Harbortown Elementary/Middle School. Determined to handle it on her own, Farah comes up with a plan--a plan that involves lying to those closest to her. Will her lies catch up with her, or can Farah find a way to defeat the bully and rock fifth grade?

Publisher: Capstone Books
Publication Date: January 1, 2020
Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781496583390​
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About Susan

Susan Muaddi Darraj won the American Book Award in 2016 for her short story collection, A Curious Land: Stories from Home. The book was also named the winner of the AWP Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction and the Arab American Book Award, and it was shortlisted for a Palestine Book Award. Her previous short story collection, The Inheritance of Exile, was published in 2007 by University of Notre Dame Press.

In 2018, she was named a Ford Fellow by USA Artists. Susan also is a two-time recipient of an Individual Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council. She has also been awarded a Ruby’s Artist Grant from the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance and a grant from the Sustainable Arts Foundation.

In January 2020, Capstone Books launched her debut children’s chapter book series, Farah Rocks, about a smart, brave Palestinian American girl named Farah Hajjar. It is the first chapter book series with an Arab American protagonist.

http://www.SusanMuaddiDarraj.com
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