Dear readers, it’s the end of September, which mean the beginning of Cybils time! I’m excited once again to be serving on the Round 1 Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction panel. And as usual, I’m trying to write up reviews of the many, many books I’ve read and loved and not yet gotten to reviewing before nominations open up on October 1 and I start reading even more books I’ll want to share with you. Stay posted for those details, and meantime, be aware that both of these excellent books are eligible to be nominated!

Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata. Viking, 2023. ISBN 9780593117118. Ebook available through Libby. Read from a library copy. 

In this graphic novel, set entirely during the holy month of Ramadan, our main character Nayra is struggling with lots of things – trying to fit in in school (middle school, in general; trying to avoid difficulties especially when she’s lightheaded and clumsy from fasting, dealing with friends, and dealing with her family.  finds relief and new perspective on these when she bonds with a djinn – who it turns out has secrets of their own.  The art has a mostly pastel palette, with frequent use of overall tints and beautiful decorative in-between panels that reminded me a little bit of Heartstopper, though this is aimed at a younger audience.  The plot is streamlined because of the short space, the story and art blending together beautifully and effectively.  Plus, I’ve never read a book set during Ramadan, a valuable perspective both for the many Muslim kids who haven’t seen this important holiday in their books as well as kids unfamiliar with it.  In addition, though, it serves as an excellent framework for the story, neatly holding all the events of the book. This is well worth looking at. 

Kingdom over the Sea by Zohra Nabi. Margaret K. McElderry, 2023. ISBN 978166531083. Read from a library copy. 

12-year-old Yara has grown up in London, but when her mother dies leaving behind a letter with strange instructions, Yara has to travel to the magical land of Zehaira.  One catch: the letter includes directions to the sorceress Leyla Khatoun, but when Yara arrives, she discovers that not only does her modern clothing stand out in this ancient Middle-Easternish world, but sorcery has been outlawed.  What was once the sorcerer’s quarter is now the alchemist’s quarter, so that following her mother’s instructions establishes Yara as a dangerous suspect.  Even more unfortunately, the very little she’s discovered makes her certain that the alchemists are making Nefarious Plots that must be stopped.  Still, she meets a persistently friendly black cat and a woman who is able to point her in the right direction.  There are new friends, people to win over, a jinn who usually disguises himself as a goat, and hidden powers to discover – all while avoiding the alchemists.  The bare plot description sounds familiar, yet all the elements and characters blended together so perfectly for me that I was drawn in almost immediately and didn’t want to put the book down.  It was simultaneously epic, funny, and a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery.