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Salma Speaks Up
Salma embraces her voice and speaks up for herself and her friends.
Salma’s best friend Riya has had a secret: she dreams of becoming a poet! So when their school’s Speech Club announces an assembly where the winner will get a spot in a city-wide writing workshop, Riya convinces Salma to join the club with her. But Nathan, another member of the club, keeps criticizing the girls for not speaking English “correctly.”
Salma grows increasingly frustrated: why does Nathan get to decide which accents are good or bad? Also, Salma is worried about her beloved Khalou Dawood, who keeps canceling their dinner plans, although he claims he’s not sick. Through research and discussions with her family, Salma discovers what might be impacting Khalou and also gains the courage and confidence to embrace her voice and speak up for herself and others.
Salma’s best friend Riya has had a secret: she dreams of becoming a poet! So when their school’s Speech Club announces an assembly where the winner will get a spot in a city-wide writing workshop, Riya convinces Salma to join the club with her. But Nathan, another member of the club, keeps criticizing the girls for not speaking English “correctly.”
Salma grows increasingly frustrated: why does Nathan get to decide which accents are good or bad? Also, Salma is worried about her beloved Khalou Dawood, who keeps canceling their dinner plans, although he claims he’s not sick. Through research and discussions with her family, Salma discovers what might be impacting Khalou and also gains the courage and confidence to embrace her voice and speak up for herself and others.
- GenresCanada
144 pages, Hardcover
Published September 2, 2025
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Danny Ramadan
17 books260 followersDanny Ramadan (He/Him) is a Syrian-Canadian author, public speaker and adovate for LGBTQ+ refugees. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, was shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award, longlisted for Canada Reads, and named a Best Book of the Year by the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star.
His children book, Salma the Syrian Chef, won the Nautilus Book Award, The Middle East Book Award, and named a Best Book by both Kirkus and School Library Journal.
Ramadan’s forthcoming novel, The Foghorn Echoes (2022), and his memoir, Crooked Teeth (2024), to be released by Penguin Random House.
Through his fundraising efforts, Ramadan raised over $250,000 for Syrian LGBTQ+ identifying refugees.
He has an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and currently lives in Vancouver with his husband.
His children book, Salma the Syrian Chef, won the Nautilus Book Award, The Middle East Book Award, and named a Best Book by both Kirkus and School Library Journal.
Ramadan’s forthcoming novel, The Foghorn Echoes (2022), and his memoir, Crooked Teeth (2024), to be released by Penguin Random House.
Through his fundraising efforts, Ramadan raised over $250,000 for Syrian LGBTQ+ identifying refugees.
He has an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and currently lives in Vancouver with his husband.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 15, 2025
Another slam dunk for the Salma series. I love hitting two issues out of the park in the same book.
The elitest, xenophobic proper-english pushing from a child is an interesting take on a very adult topic. Nathan comes at it not from a lens of hate, but of wanting everyone to follow the same rules he does (which says VOLUMES about his home life...). That being said, I feel like the underlying issue isn't addressed - it's brushed off with a "I just like rules" and no discussion of how others could see it as racist or anti-immigrant. It's a big topic for young readers and I still feel it should have been acknowledged.
I have always loved Salma's uncles. Their story is so lovely and they represent such an ideal relationship it makes my teeth hurt with how sweet they are. This books brings readers into their lives a little more - we get to see their apartment, how they've integrated into Salma's family, and how their relationship is when they're not with Salma. Having Dawood suffer with SAD is a gentle way of introducing mental health issues into the series and allows readers to see how strong the relationship between Salma and Dawood is that he accepts her research into his condition above everything else.
Riya, Salma, and Dawood's successes at the end of the book are such a highlight. The art at the end with them all sitting around under Dawood's SAD lamp and enjoying each other's company and the music of their shared homelands is wonderful.
The elitest, xenophobic proper-english pushing from a child is an interesting take on a very adult topic. Nathan comes at it not from a lens of hate, but of wanting everyone to follow the same rules he does (which says VOLUMES about his home life...). That being said, I feel like the underlying issue isn't addressed - it's brushed off with a "I just like rules" and no discussion of how others could see it as racist or anti-immigrant. It's a big topic for young readers and I still feel it should have been acknowledged.
I have always loved Salma's uncles. Their story is so lovely and they represent such an ideal relationship it makes my teeth hurt with how sweet they are. This books brings readers into their lives a little more - we get to see their apartment, how they've integrated into Salma's family, and how their relationship is when they're not with Salma. Having Dawood suffer with SAD is a gentle way of introducing mental health issues into the series and allows readers to see how strong the relationship between Salma and Dawood is that he accepts her research into his condition above everything else.
Riya, Salma, and Dawood's successes at the end of the book are such a highlight. The art at the end with them all sitting around under Dawood's SAD lamp and enjoying each other's company and the music of their shared homelands is wonderful.
June 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this latest in the Salma Series that features a Syrian Canadian middle schooler navigating life with her family in BC as newcomers. I loved how this book focused on friendship and standing up for both yourself and others against bullying and strong emotions. Salma figures out her uncle has been feeling depressed because of the weather and helps him with that. She also joins a speech club with her best friend and learns that even though it made her anxious at first to talk in front of people she really enjoyed it. Cute, heartfelt and full of important messages (there's even a fun feelings bracelet activity suggestion included at the end). Another hit from Danny Ramadan! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
April 21, 2025
Salma Speaks Up is a heartfelt, empowering read that gracefully tackles big themes like identity, belonging, and finding your voice—literally and metaphorically. It is a timely addition to a timeless theme of 'fitting in'. Danny Ramadan once again gives us a Salma who is curious, compassionate, and wonderfully real, navigating friendships, family, and the quiet but persistent pressures of fitting in.
What I loved most about this story is how it captures that internal tug-of-war many kids (and adults!) feel—between celebrating who they are and trying to mold themselves to be more “acceptable.”
The book gently introduces topics like mental health and cultural confidence without ever feeling heavy-handed, and it leaves you thinking long after the last page. A must-read for kids navigating identity and friendship—and for adults who remember what that felt like.
What I loved most about this story is how it captures that internal tug-of-war many kids (and adults!) feel—between celebrating who they are and trying to mold themselves to be more “acceptable.”
The book gently introduces topics like mental health and cultural confidence without ever feeling heavy-handed, and it leaves you thinking long after the last page. A must-read for kids navigating identity and friendship—and for adults who remember what that felt like.
October 16, 2025
Silver Birch Express 2026
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews