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The Strongest Heart
From beloved middle grade author Saadia Faruqi comes a poignant exploration of the impact of mental illness on families—and the love and hope that it takes to begin telling a different tale.
Mo is used to his father’s fits of rage. When Abbu's moods shake the house, Mo is safe inside his head, with his cherished The best way to respond is not to engage. Apparently, his mama knows that too—which is why she took a job on the other side of the world, leaving Mo alone with Abbu.
With Mama gone, the two move to Texas to live with Mo’s aunt and cousin, Rayyan. The two boys could not be more different. Rayyan is achievement-driven and factual; Mo is a “bad kid."" Still, there is a lot to like about living in Texas. Sundays at the mosque are better than he’d expected. And Rayyan and his aunt become a real family to Mo.
But even in a warm home and school where he begins to see a future for himself, Mo knows that the monster within his father can break out and destroy their fragile peace at any moment…
Mo is used to his father’s fits of rage. When Abbu's moods shake the house, Mo is safe inside his head, with his cherished The best way to respond is not to engage. Apparently, his mama knows that too—which is why she took a job on the other side of the world, leaving Mo alone with Abbu.
With Mama gone, the two move to Texas to live with Mo’s aunt and cousin, Rayyan. The two boys could not be more different. Rayyan is achievement-driven and factual; Mo is a “bad kid."" Still, there is a lot to like about living in Texas. Sundays at the mosque are better than he’d expected. And Rayyan and his aunt become a real family to Mo.
But even in a warm home and school where he begins to see a future for himself, Mo knows that the monster within his father can break out and destroy their fragile peace at any moment…
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Published March 4, 2025
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About the author
Saadia Faruqi
141 books483 followersSaadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American author, essayist and interfaith activist. She writes the children’s early reader series “Yasmin” published by Capstone and other books for children, including middle grade novels “A Place At The Table” (HMH/Clarion 2020) co-written with Laura Shovan, and “A Thousand Questions” (Harper Collins 2020). She has also written “Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage from Pakistan” a short story collection for adults and teens. Saadia is editor-in-chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine for Muslim art, poetry and prose, and was featured in Oprah Magazine in 2017 as a woman making a difference in her community. She resides in Houston, TX with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 10, 2025
Raw, tender, the whole emotional spectrum, powerful.
Had me tearing 😢 up a few times as well!
Her best one yet!
Had me tearing 😢 up a few times as well!
Her best one yet!
April 15, 2025
"Thought-provoking and insightful, this novel humanizes mental illness while unflinchingly showing how families and communities are affected." [Booklist]
December 10, 2025
Mo lives with a monster, one who can put on a smiling face, but lash out unexpectedly. That monster is his father, whenever he is having an episode from his paranoid schizophrenia. Mo's mom has gone to Greece to build water systems for refugees for two years because other children are more worth saving, apparently. Mo, almost always on his own, finds solace in folktales, especially those of South Asia, which often end badly, but seem to relate to his life just fine. Just after the beginning of eighth grade, Mo and his dad drive from New York City to Houston where they will live with Mo's aunt and cousin Rayyan, who is also in eighth grade. Mo has grown a hard crust and doesn't let anyone see his feelings, but his aunt and cousin wear him down. He begins to find comfort in attending services at the mosque and in helping with a classroom of young artists, but has to contend with the school bully and try to help his cousin heal from his father's murder years earlier. When Mo's father goes off the rails and ends in the hospital, will it be a time of healing or just another bout of disappointment? Maybe, just maybe, this time will be a new beginning for Mo and his family.
dnf
February 27, 2025DNF 42% - not bad, just having trouble connecting with the main character.
November 9, 2024
The Strongest Heart is not at all like Saadia Faruqi’s light hearted and wonderful Yasmin chapter books for grades 1-4ish, nor is it a friendship and sharing of faiths like A Place at the Table. This is a book that is, at times, very hard to read due to the hardships experienced by Mo/Mohammed but should be read to give hope to those who are enduring something similar and to develop some understanding and thoughtfulness to those who have a strong and loving family support system.
It’s just 8th grader Mo and his dad in New York and with mom clear across the world in Greece for nearly two years, it seems best for the father and son to relocate to Texas to live with family. Dad’s sister Phupo and nephew Rayyan are also by themselves so it seems like the perfect decision but Mo knows that as soon as his dad’s “monster” side starts showing itself, everything will head downhill and fast.
Faruqi draws heavily on her own experience with a schizophrenic father to create a realistic portrait of a fractured and struggling trio. Mom is a genius who is focused on saving the world’s children instead of protecting her own and while Mo’s dad can be kind and responsible, that is definitely the exception rather than the rule. No 13 year old should have to run a household and avoid moods that swing from violent outbursts to bouts of crying and episodes of talking to non-existent people and alcohol abuse, but Mo does. At his aunt’s home in Houston, however, he finds a warmth and caring he has never known and begins to develop a kinship with his cousin. A local imam at the mosque where Mo and Rayyan volunteer and the trio worships gives him wise guidance and a sense of being valued, the school librarian recognizes his intelligence and reaches out, and a Science teacher gives him a new look at his father’s mental illness.
The thread of hope and the theme of our hearts winds through every aspect of Mo’s time in Houston illustrating outstanding literary skill on the part of the author. Desi folk tales, a favorite of Mo’s, are included and always connect to something occurring in his life. Bits of irony (Mo’s mom “giving water to kids across the world when her own offspring is thirsty for her affection) are sprinkled in along as well, further demonstrating Faruqi’s word-smithing skills. Also included is the way that a person’s faith, Muslim in the case of Mo and the author, can bring comfort and encouragement as well as the usefulness of art as therapy. The entire book feels as real as it is which may cause readers’ hearts to hurt and possibly not finish this book. I hope they do.
A first choice for libraries serving grades 6-9, especially if readership is high in books that absolutely tug at the heartstrings. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence is confined to Mo’s father and some bullying at school, but none is graphic or bloody.
“Sometimes we feel weak and helpless. Like we can’t do anything, can’t change anything. But please remember, my friends, that the strongest heart is the one that keeps beating. Keeps going on, day after day, hoping for a better tomorrow.”
(Spoken by Iman Shamsi during a message)
It’s just 8th grader Mo and his dad in New York and with mom clear across the world in Greece for nearly two years, it seems best for the father and son to relocate to Texas to live with family. Dad’s sister Phupo and nephew Rayyan are also by themselves so it seems like the perfect decision but Mo knows that as soon as his dad’s “monster” side starts showing itself, everything will head downhill and fast.
Faruqi draws heavily on her own experience with a schizophrenic father to create a realistic portrait of a fractured and struggling trio. Mom is a genius who is focused on saving the world’s children instead of protecting her own and while Mo’s dad can be kind and responsible, that is definitely the exception rather than the rule. No 13 year old should have to run a household and avoid moods that swing from violent outbursts to bouts of crying and episodes of talking to non-existent people and alcohol abuse, but Mo does. At his aunt’s home in Houston, however, he finds a warmth and caring he has never known and begins to develop a kinship with his cousin. A local imam at the mosque where Mo and Rayyan volunteer and the trio worships gives him wise guidance and a sense of being valued, the school librarian recognizes his intelligence and reaches out, and a Science teacher gives him a new look at his father’s mental illness.
The thread of hope and the theme of our hearts winds through every aspect of Mo’s time in Houston illustrating outstanding literary skill on the part of the author. Desi folk tales, a favorite of Mo’s, are included and always connect to something occurring in his life. Bits of irony (Mo’s mom “giving water to kids across the world when her own offspring is thirsty for her affection) are sprinkled in along as well, further demonstrating Faruqi’s word-smithing skills. Also included is the way that a person’s faith, Muslim in the case of Mo and the author, can bring comfort and encouragement as well as the usefulness of art as therapy. The entire book feels as real as it is which may cause readers’ hearts to hurt and possibly not finish this book. I hope they do.
A first choice for libraries serving grades 6-9, especially if readership is high in books that absolutely tug at the heartstrings. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence is confined to Mo’s father and some bullying at school, but none is graphic or bloody.
“Sometimes we feel weak and helpless. Like we can’t do anything, can’t change anything. But please remember, my friends, that the strongest heart is the one that keeps beating. Keeps going on, day after day, hoping for a better tomorrow.”
(Spoken by Iman Shamsi during a message)
September 23, 2025
Absolutely a five-star book! I was astounded by its power, honesty, ringing truth, and hope. As author, Saadia Faruqi states: “The strongest heart is one that’s still beating, that’s full of hope and bravery. Thirteen year-old Mohammed ( Call him Mo.) from Queens, NY, reluctantly moves to Houston, Texas with his problematic father, Abbu. His mother is a world away in a Greek Refugee Camp, helping the poor access clean water with her PhD in Engineering. Mo feels abandoned by her and disgusted by his Abbu, who is a terrible caregiver prone to schizophrenic rants, rages and drunkenness. Fortunately, his father’s sister, Naila Phupo is a loving aunt and wonderful master of Pakistani cuisine, and even sharing a room with his cousin, Rayyan in their Houston home is a healing experience. Used to being an angry “bad boy” in school to cope with his parents’ perennial lack of care, Mo finds a new role as his cousin’s protector from bullies and a renewed interest in biology, world music, and art. The book is rich in Desi cultural references and replete with stories from that Pakistan/India/Bangladesh/Nepal region, as Mo adores those folktales and admires their humor and wisdom. The author’s note reveals that her father suffered from schizophrenia, and that many incidents in the novel happened to her as well, which explains the rawness and authenticity on every page. I strongly encourage middle grade readers and teachers to pick up this book, especially if there are anger issues, untreated mental illness, or confusing cultural/religious differences in their lives. “Sometimes Art is medicine. Sometimes it’s fantasy.” Sometimes, it can be survival.
April 30, 2025
Mo has moved from Queens, NY to Huston, Texas. The culture shock of a new place is nothing compared to the same old frustration and anger that Mo has toward living with a monster. A monster who makes his life miserable and predictably unpredictable- the monster who is also known as his father.
I feel like the author did an earnest job of showing what it was like to live with a parent suffering from schizophrenia. Having the other parent seemingly unengaged added another layer of hardship to the situation. Where the writing fell short for me was how self-aware Mo was. Always processing every little minutiae of an adolescent boy’s thoughts and motivations felt overly contrived and unpleasant to read.
I feel like the author did an earnest job of showing what it was like to live with a parent suffering from schizophrenia. Having the other parent seemingly unengaged added another layer of hardship to the situation. Where the writing fell short for me was how self-aware Mo was. Always processing every little minutiae of an adolescent boy’s thoughts and motivations felt overly contrived and unpleasant to read.
May 2, 2025
This is a powerful, heavy, necessary and heartbreaking story of a middle schooler navigating life with a parent who has a mental illness. There is some levity with humor sprinkled throughout. It would be a great read alike for readers of “Quagmire Couldn’t Be Better” by Mylisa Larsen.
April 4, 2025
Mohammad (“Mo”) (Pakistani American/white, 13) has recently moved with his father, whom he calls Abbu, from Queens to Houston. They will be living with Mo’s kind and nurturing aunt, Naila Phupo, and her son, Rayyan (also 13), because Abbu’s paranoid schizophrenia prevents him from holding down a job.
Mo thinks of his father as a monster. Abbu has serious anger issues and occasional schizophrenic episodes, during which he hallucinates and often berates Mo, calling him “worthless” and “stupid,” etc. Mo’s mom is on a fellowship in Greece helping to design clean-water systems for refugees. She is completely devoted to her work and has little time for Mo or his problems. They Zoom once a week, but Mo assumes she doesn’t care about him at all; after all, she left him to deal with the monster on his own. Mo does connect with an uncle he’s never met before, Nathan , who lives in Houston and turns out to be a great guy and an (underutilized) support system. And Naila Phupo cares for Mo in a way he’s never been cared for before.
Mo has a carefully curated “tough guy” image. He becomes Rayyan’s “protector,” standing up for him when Rayyan’s bully, Frankie, picks on him at school. Mo loves learning and is especially interested in his biology class, but when things are hard at home, he finds it hard to care about school. He also loves South Asian folktales, which are often inserted into the main narrative in a story-within-a-story kind of way; they offer insight into his life. He gets some of his sadness and frustration out by boxing in the backyard using a pillow tied to a tree.
Mo and Rayyan become fairly close despite not having much in common. Rayyan is really devoted to his schoolwork and wants to join the National Junior Honor Society. To fulfill a volunteer requirement, he and Mo volunteer to teach a kids’ art class at their mosque. There, Mo discovers abstract painting, which becomes an outlet for his emotions. He also begins to find some comfort in prayer and his Muslim faith, which he had virtually ignored before moving to Houston.
Eventually, With his aunt’s help–she tells Mo about Abbu as a child, and what it was like when he became ill–and thanks to the things he’s learning about the brain in his biology class, Mo begins to realize (or accept) that mental illness doesn’t make Abbu a monster. It just means there is an illness in his brain that needs to be treated, and it’s not Abbu’s fault. As his aunt says, how can Abbu be expected to take care of others when he himself is drowning?
This novel takes on A LOT, and I think the author may have been a little bit too ambitious, which leaves some things underdeveloped. I didn’t even get into Rayyan’s illness. Or the fact that Rayyan’s dad was shot and killed during a robbery at a nearby gas station when he was younger, and now Rayyan has an obsession with watching the press conference of the murder. And, as interesting as they were, the folktales really broke up the narrative and took me out of the story.
But things I liked: Mo’s voice, which is distinct and sardonic. The way he begins to find comfort in his faith. The fact that he is a believable kid with lots of different interests. The way his knowledge of his dad and his opinion of mental illness evolve. The fact that Frankie is held accountable for his bullying even though he turns out to be (of course) struggling with something himself. Two of the reviews for this book (which has received 5 starred reviews) describe it as "gripping," and I did not find it to be gripping. However, I did find it to be an authentic look at a boy who is affected by a parent's severe mental illness.
Mo thinks of his father as a monster. Abbu has serious anger issues and occasional schizophrenic episodes, during which he hallucinates and often berates Mo, calling him “worthless” and “stupid,” etc. Mo’s mom is on a fellowship in Greece helping to design clean-water systems for refugees. She is completely devoted to her work and has little time for Mo or his problems. They Zoom once a week, but Mo assumes she doesn’t care about him at all; after all, she left him to deal with the monster on his own. Mo does connect with an uncle he’s never met before, Nathan , who lives in Houston and turns out to be a great guy and an (underutilized) support system. And Naila Phupo cares for Mo in a way he’s never been cared for before.
Mo has a carefully curated “tough guy” image. He becomes Rayyan’s “protector,” standing up for him when Rayyan’s bully, Frankie, picks on him at school. Mo loves learning and is especially interested in his biology class, but when things are hard at home, he finds it hard to care about school. He also loves South Asian folktales, which are often inserted into the main narrative in a story-within-a-story kind of way; they offer insight into his life. He gets some of his sadness and frustration out by boxing in the backyard using a pillow tied to a tree.
Mo and Rayyan become fairly close despite not having much in common. Rayyan is really devoted to his schoolwork and wants to join the National Junior Honor Society. To fulfill a volunteer requirement, he and Mo volunteer to teach a kids’ art class at their mosque. There, Mo discovers abstract painting, which becomes an outlet for his emotions. He also begins to find some comfort in prayer and his Muslim faith, which he had virtually ignored before moving to Houston.
Eventually, With his aunt’s help–she tells Mo about Abbu as a child, and what it was like when he became ill–and thanks to the things he’s learning about the brain in his biology class, Mo begins to realize (or accept) that mental illness doesn’t make Abbu a monster. It just means there is an illness in his brain that needs to be treated, and it’s not Abbu’s fault. As his aunt says, how can Abbu be expected to take care of others when he himself is drowning?
This novel takes on A LOT, and I think the author may have been a little bit too ambitious, which leaves some things underdeveloped. I didn’t even get into Rayyan’s illness. Or the fact that Rayyan’s dad was shot and killed during a robbery at a nearby gas station when he was younger, and now Rayyan has an obsession with watching the press conference of the murder. And, as interesting as they were, the folktales really broke up the narrative and took me out of the story.
But things I liked: Mo’s voice, which is distinct and sardonic. The way he begins to find comfort in his faith. The fact that he is a believable kid with lots of different interests. The way his knowledge of his dad and his opinion of mental illness evolve. The fact that Frankie is held accountable for his bullying even though he turns out to be (of course) struggling with something himself. Two of the reviews for this book (which has received 5 starred reviews) describe it as "gripping," and I did not find it to be gripping. However, I did find it to be an authentic look at a boy who is affected by a parent's severe mental illness.
December 14, 2024
Richie’s Picks: THE STRONGEST HEART by Saadia Faruqi, HarperCollins/QuillTree, March 2025, 384p., ISBN: 978-0-06-311585-9
“Schizophrenia is a type of mental illness whose symptoms usually occur in phases. In the active stage, your symptoms are most noticeable. You may see or hear things that don’t exist or have beliefs that aren’t based in reality. You may have trouble thinking and speaking clearly.”
– Web MD, “Understanding Schizophrenia” (2024)
“All day
Starin' at the ceiling', making
Friends with shadows on my wall
All night
Hearing' voices telling' me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for somethin'
Hold on
Feelin' like I'm headed for a
Breakdown
And I don't know why
But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be”
– Rob Thomas (2002)
There are any number of children’s books that feature screwed-up and/or evil parents who serve as significant impediments in the lives of young, main characters. But there are few such stories–particularly tales for middle graders and tweens–that so vividly illustrate the parent’s problems as well as THE STRONGEST HEART. Sadly, Saadia Faruqi’s own childhood experiences fuel these stellar depictions of a father with paranoid schizophrenia, along with an emotionally and physically absent mother.
“Finally, I get comfortable enough–barely. Take a few deep breaths to bring my heart rate down.
And then I paint.
Well, it’s more like stabbing the canvas with darkness, but it’s also painting in a raw, wild way. Like, pouring all my hurt and anger and hopelessness onto the canvas in front of me.
One brushstroke for all the things in my life that are unfair, like how I had to move across the country, and share a room with someone, and share oxygen with stupid bullies like Frankie.
One brushstroke for Abbu. The biggest, darkest, ugliest stroke.
When I finish, I realize I’m sweating. The canvas lies in front of me like a thing that’s been torn apart with claws and fury. The paint lines are jagged. Raw.
Look, I know it’s not perfect. The art museum’s not gonna knock on my door anytime soon. I have no technique and I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve used up too much paint on half of the canvas and too little on the other half.
But it’s done, and it’s mine, and it’s as ugly as my feelings, so that’s something. It’s like looking into a mirror, but seeing your insides instead of your face.
Everything exposed, finally,
Scary, but also good, you know?”
Meet middle schooler Mo (technically Mohammad), who has just traveled with his father from New York City to Houston. His father (Abbu) is so messed up that he can’t hold down a job, no less be a demonstratively loving parent. Mo and Abbu are now going to live with Abbu’s sister Naila Phupo, and her son Rayyan, who is the same age as Mo. Mo’s mom, a heralded scientist, is halfway around the globe, helping to save the world. Mo occasionally gets to have a brief Saturday afternoon Zoom session with her.
And what’s with this bully, Frankie, who is constantly messing with Rayyan and causing Mo problems at his new school? Mo repeatedly wears himself out with his makeshift punching bag and boxing gloves, avoiding–or at least postponing–a showdown with Frankie.
Fortunately, Mo has caring adults to rely on. Foremost is his newly-discovered aunt–Abbu’s sister–who is a gem. An old neighbor in New York, (another) new relation in Texas, and a school librarian who cares, help make the horrific circumstances bearable, and permit Mo to actually succeed in his studies and avoid detonating.
Mo has also embraced a wealth of instructive, traditional folk tales that play a role in his survival (and enrich the story).
A significant, notable title for the new year, THE STRONGEST HEART is a powerful, engaging, and enlightening read.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Schizophrenia is a type of mental illness whose symptoms usually occur in phases. In the active stage, your symptoms are most noticeable. You may see or hear things that don’t exist or have beliefs that aren’t based in reality. You may have trouble thinking and speaking clearly.”
– Web MD, “Understanding Schizophrenia” (2024)
“All day
Starin' at the ceiling', making
Friends with shadows on my wall
All night
Hearing' voices telling' me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for somethin'
Hold on
Feelin' like I'm headed for a
Breakdown
And I don't know why
But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be”
– Rob Thomas (2002)
There are any number of children’s books that feature screwed-up and/or evil parents who serve as significant impediments in the lives of young, main characters. But there are few such stories–particularly tales for middle graders and tweens–that so vividly illustrate the parent’s problems as well as THE STRONGEST HEART. Sadly, Saadia Faruqi’s own childhood experiences fuel these stellar depictions of a father with paranoid schizophrenia, along with an emotionally and physically absent mother.
“Finally, I get comfortable enough–barely. Take a few deep breaths to bring my heart rate down.
And then I paint.
Well, it’s more like stabbing the canvas with darkness, but it’s also painting in a raw, wild way. Like, pouring all my hurt and anger and hopelessness onto the canvas in front of me.
One brushstroke for all the things in my life that are unfair, like how I had to move across the country, and share a room with someone, and share oxygen with stupid bullies like Frankie.
One brushstroke for Abbu. The biggest, darkest, ugliest stroke.
When I finish, I realize I’m sweating. The canvas lies in front of me like a thing that’s been torn apart with claws and fury. The paint lines are jagged. Raw.
Look, I know it’s not perfect. The art museum’s not gonna knock on my door anytime soon. I have no technique and I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve used up too much paint on half of the canvas and too little on the other half.
But it’s done, and it’s mine, and it’s as ugly as my feelings, so that’s something. It’s like looking into a mirror, but seeing your insides instead of your face.
Everything exposed, finally,
Scary, but also good, you know?”
Meet middle schooler Mo (technically Mohammad), who has just traveled with his father from New York City to Houston. His father (Abbu) is so messed up that he can’t hold down a job, no less be a demonstratively loving parent. Mo and Abbu are now going to live with Abbu’s sister Naila Phupo, and her son Rayyan, who is the same age as Mo. Mo’s mom, a heralded scientist, is halfway around the globe, helping to save the world. Mo occasionally gets to have a brief Saturday afternoon Zoom session with her.
And what’s with this bully, Frankie, who is constantly messing with Rayyan and causing Mo problems at his new school? Mo repeatedly wears himself out with his makeshift punching bag and boxing gloves, avoiding–or at least postponing–a showdown with Frankie.
Fortunately, Mo has caring adults to rely on. Foremost is his newly-discovered aunt–Abbu’s sister–who is a gem. An old neighbor in New York, (another) new relation in Texas, and a school librarian who cares, help make the horrific circumstances bearable, and permit Mo to actually succeed in his studies and avoid detonating.
Mo has also embraced a wealth of instructive, traditional folk tales that play a role in his survival (and enrich the story).
A significant, notable title for the new year, THE STRONGEST HEART is a powerful, engaging, and enlightening read.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
January 1, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Mo Mirza and his father Mumtaz move from New York City to Texas to live with Mo's Aunt Naili and her son Rayyan. Rayyan's father was killed in a convenience store robbery, and his mother is working as an administrative assistant at the family's mosque. Mo's father has mental health struggles, and is having trouble finding a job, so having the support of another adult, especially one who cooks delicious food, is helpful. Being the new kid at school is slightly easier with his cousin around, although Rayyan is very academically focused, and some other students give him a hard time for this. Mo has never been as interested in school, even though his mother is a scientist who is working in Greece on a fellowship to help local people who have a hard time getting water supplies, but is more interested in school since he is working with his cousin. He also agrees to volunteer at the mosque with Rayyan, who needs volunteer hours for National Junior Honor Society. The boys work with young children and help them with art projects. Mo finds some solace in painting as his father spirals further into his paranoid schizophrenic episodes, since he has stopped taking his medicine. Even though he talks to his mother once a week, he does not let her know the extent of the father's problems, although he does contact her brother, who lives in the area. Mo is a huge fan of folk tales, and tries to use them to put his life in perspective, but will he be able to have a happily ever after?
Strengths: Moving from New York to Texas would be quite a culture shock, but it was good to see that both Mo's father and his aunt were able to help each other out a little bit, since they both had challenging circumstances. Mo's mother's devotion to her work is understandable, but it was also see her find a way to be closer to Mo. The cousins got along, even though they didn't seem to share as many interests at the beginning of the book. This had a more well-developed bully than I've seen in many books, and he was more interesting, too. There's a nice balance of scenes between home, school, and the mosque, and this gives us the whole picture of Mo's life.
Weaknesses: While Mo's stories drawn from folklore are interesting, they took my attention away from his real life in a way that slowed the book down. My students aren't a huge fan of the story-within-a-story and tell me they frequently skip these inclusions.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are interested in reading what it would be like to deal with a parent with mental health challenges and who enjoyed Hiranadani's The Whole Story of Half a Girl , Baldwin's Where the Watermelons Grow, or Keller's The Science of Breakable Things.
Mo Mirza and his father Mumtaz move from New York City to Texas to live with Mo's Aunt Naili and her son Rayyan. Rayyan's father was killed in a convenience store robbery, and his mother is working as an administrative assistant at the family's mosque. Mo's father has mental health struggles, and is having trouble finding a job, so having the support of another adult, especially one who cooks delicious food, is helpful. Being the new kid at school is slightly easier with his cousin around, although Rayyan is very academically focused, and some other students give him a hard time for this. Mo has never been as interested in school, even though his mother is a scientist who is working in Greece on a fellowship to help local people who have a hard time getting water supplies, but is more interested in school since he is working with his cousin. He also agrees to volunteer at the mosque with Rayyan, who needs volunteer hours for National Junior Honor Society. The boys work with young children and help them with art projects. Mo finds some solace in painting as his father spirals further into his paranoid schizophrenic episodes, since he has stopped taking his medicine. Even though he talks to his mother once a week, he does not let her know the extent of the father's problems, although he does contact her brother, who lives in the area. Mo is a huge fan of folk tales, and tries to use them to put his life in perspective, but will he be able to have a happily ever after?
Strengths: Moving from New York to Texas would be quite a culture shock, but it was good to see that both Mo's father and his aunt were able to help each other out a little bit, since they both had challenging circumstances. Mo's mother's devotion to her work is understandable, but it was also see her find a way to be closer to Mo. The cousins got along, even though they didn't seem to share as many interests at the beginning of the book. This had a more well-developed bully than I've seen in many books, and he was more interesting, too. There's a nice balance of scenes between home, school, and the mosque, and this gives us the whole picture of Mo's life.
Weaknesses: While Mo's stories drawn from folklore are interesting, they took my attention away from his real life in a way that slowed the book down. My students aren't a huge fan of the story-within-a-story and tell me they frequently skip these inclusions.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who are interested in reading what it would be like to deal with a parent with mental health challenges and who enjoyed Hiranadani's The Whole Story of Half a Girl , Baldwin's Where the Watermelons Grow, or Keller's The Science of Breakable Things.
December 26, 2024
Huh. I have an ARC of the book that doesn't have an image on its cover. I don't dislike what I'm seeing, but it's not at all what I expected. I expected something more related to Mo's fraught relationship with his parents and the emotional outlet he discovers in painting.
Mo's situation isn't and hasn't been great. His father was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago and struggles to take care of himself. His mother is away on an extended research trip and continues to be both physically and emotionally unavailable to him. Thankfully, his aunt (his father's sister) in Houston has agreed to help, so Mo and his dad pack their car and move from New York to Texas.
Because of Mo's father's volatility and neglect and his mother's absence, Mo has become adept at taking care of himself and he's very angry and closed-off. However, as a result of his tentative friendship with his cousin Rayyan and their work "teaching" art at the local Islamic center; the kindness of his aunt; his discovery of an uncle he didn't know he had; an inspiring science teacher; and even his encounters with Frankie, the school bully, Mo begins to let others in. He is also guided by his love and knowledge of South Asian folktales, which are sprinkled throughout the book.
I can't think of another book I've read where a child was living with a schizophrenic parent. That's a lot to deal with; Mo's anger (and heartbreak) are palpable.
The author mentions in her end note that some of Mo's story is drawn from her own experiences. I know the book will provide solace to readers whose parents grapple with mental illness as well as inform those whose parents' don't. I was relieved Mo discovered painting and developed a much needed circle of support, even in unexpected places.
Mo's situation isn't and hasn't been great. His father was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago and struggles to take care of himself. His mother is away on an extended research trip and continues to be both physically and emotionally unavailable to him. Thankfully, his aunt (his father's sister) in Houston has agreed to help, so Mo and his dad pack their car and move from New York to Texas.
Because of Mo's father's volatility and neglect and his mother's absence, Mo has become adept at taking care of himself and he's very angry and closed-off. However, as a result of his tentative friendship with his cousin Rayyan and their work "teaching" art at the local Islamic center; the kindness of his aunt; his discovery of an uncle he didn't know he had; an inspiring science teacher; and even his encounters with Frankie, the school bully, Mo begins to let others in. He is also guided by his love and knowledge of South Asian folktales, which are sprinkled throughout the book.
I can't think of another book I've read where a child was living with a schizophrenic parent. That's a lot to deal with; Mo's anger (and heartbreak) are palpable.
The author mentions in her end note that some of Mo's story is drawn from her own experiences. I know the book will provide solace to readers whose parents grapple with mental illness as well as inform those whose parents' don't. I was relieved Mo discovered painting and developed a much needed circle of support, even in unexpected places.
January 2, 2025
An upper MG story about living with someone struggling with mental illness.
🧠
Mo lives with a monster. A monster that happens to be his father. Abbu has moods that can change as quickly as the wind, but it’s something Mo deals with, mostly alone. His mother has gone off to work on her fellowship building a well for refugees and now Mo and Abbu must move from NYC to Houston, TX because they have nowhere to live. Now Mo lives with his cousin and aunt and for the first time he’s not alone. Rayyan is a sickly kid, timid and studious while Mo revels in his bad boy persona at this new school. Together the two start volunteering at the mosque and Mo discovers a love of art, which helps him work out his feelings. But his father’s rages and alcoholic rants keep Mo from ever truly relaxing, as he waits for the other shoe to drop.
🧠
If you’ve ever read Faruqi’s books before you’ll be surprised at some of the darker themes in this one, but it’s also one of my new favorites of hers because of how real and gritty it was. The Author’s Note at the end lets readers know that her own father struggled with schizophrenia, which you can tell from Mo’s character that everything he went through comes from experience. The folktales told throughout also added to the story and helped describe what Mo was going through in some cases. I highly recommend this book & will remind you about it when it releases March 4.
CW: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anger issues, alcohol, alcohol abuse, violence, blood, gun violence, bullying, medical content, religious bigotry, parental abandonment
I found it to be a bit too long for a MG story and sometimes the folktales stopped the flow of the story.
🧠
Mo lives with a monster. A monster that happens to be his father. Abbu has moods that can change as quickly as the wind, but it’s something Mo deals with, mostly alone. His mother has gone off to work on her fellowship building a well for refugees and now Mo and Abbu must move from NYC to Houston, TX because they have nowhere to live. Now Mo lives with his cousin and aunt and for the first time he’s not alone. Rayyan is a sickly kid, timid and studious while Mo revels in his bad boy persona at this new school. Together the two start volunteering at the mosque and Mo discovers a love of art, which helps him work out his feelings. But his father’s rages and alcoholic rants keep Mo from ever truly relaxing, as he waits for the other shoe to drop.
🧠
If you’ve ever read Faruqi’s books before you’ll be surprised at some of the darker themes in this one, but it’s also one of my new favorites of hers because of how real and gritty it was. The Author’s Note at the end lets readers know that her own father struggled with schizophrenia, which you can tell from Mo’s character that everything he went through comes from experience. The folktales told throughout also added to the story and helped describe what Mo was going through in some cases. I highly recommend this book & will remind you about it when it releases March 4.
CW: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anger issues, alcohol, alcohol abuse, violence, blood, gun violence, bullying, medical content, religious bigotry, parental abandonment
I found it to be a bit too long for a MG story and sometimes the folktales stopped the flow of the story.
April 19, 2025
About one in five minor children has at least one parent with a mental illness (NIH). After the period from infancy to age 5, the next vulnerable period is adolescence. As difficult as their behavior may be at times, adolescents rely on their parents for structure and positive reinforcement. But a parent struggling with mental illness may be less attentive to their teenager’s needs. Or they may focus entirely on things their child is doing wrong without balancing negative feedback with praise. (Boston Children’s Hospital)
Twelve-year-old Mohammed (Mo) Is one of those adolescents. Mo’s father was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and, in Mo’s eyes, is a “monster.” He can’t keep a job, he is always loud and angry and verbally abusive. He also hallucinates at times. Mo’s mother is across the world helping refugee children who need clean drinking water to survive, but Mo is barely surviving without her.
Then Mo and his father move from NY City to Texas to live with Abbu’s sister Naila Phupo and her son Rayyan, also an eighth grader. Mo is not used to this loving care (breakfast prepared for him every morning), and as he protects Rayyan from Frankie the school bully, they become like brothers. Through religion and his volunteer activities at the mosque, Mo develops an unusual coping mechanism. “And then I paint. Well, it’s more like stabbing the canvas with darkness, but it’s also painting in a raw, wild way. Like, pouring all my hurt and anger and hopelessness onto the canvas in front of me.” (111)
This is a wonderful story of family, culture, religion, growing, learning about the body and heart from Piago, the interesting and supportive biology teacher, and mental illness and health—it seems like Frankie also has mental health issues to deal with—and friendship. Throughout, suitable desi folktales are interspersed, related to us by Mo. “Stories are powerful. They transport you to fantasyland. They let you imagine things that could never happen in real life…. They help me imagine a different life. A Life where I’m the one in control, because I’m the storyteller.” (146)
Mo’s story will serve as a map to help readers navigate their lives and grow their strongest hearts, no matter what they are dealing with. As Mo’ favorite author Jason Reynold’s wrote in GHOST, “You can’t run away from who you are, but what you can do is run toward who you want to be.” (31)
Twelve-year-old Mohammed (Mo) Is one of those adolescents. Mo’s father was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and, in Mo’s eyes, is a “monster.” He can’t keep a job, he is always loud and angry and verbally abusive. He also hallucinates at times. Mo’s mother is across the world helping refugee children who need clean drinking water to survive, but Mo is barely surviving without her.
Then Mo and his father move from NY City to Texas to live with Abbu’s sister Naila Phupo and her son Rayyan, also an eighth grader. Mo is not used to this loving care (breakfast prepared for him every morning), and as he protects Rayyan from Frankie the school bully, they become like brothers. Through religion and his volunteer activities at the mosque, Mo develops an unusual coping mechanism. “And then I paint. Well, it’s more like stabbing the canvas with darkness, but it’s also painting in a raw, wild way. Like, pouring all my hurt and anger and hopelessness onto the canvas in front of me.” (111)
This is a wonderful story of family, culture, religion, growing, learning about the body and heart from Piago, the interesting and supportive biology teacher, and mental illness and health—it seems like Frankie also has mental health issues to deal with—and friendship. Throughout, suitable desi folktales are interspersed, related to us by Mo. “Stories are powerful. They transport you to fantasyland. They let you imagine things that could never happen in real life…. They help me imagine a different life. A Life where I’m the one in control, because I’m the storyteller.” (146)
Mo’s story will serve as a map to help readers navigate their lives and grow their strongest hearts, no matter what they are dealing with. As Mo’ favorite author Jason Reynold’s wrote in GHOST, “You can’t run away from who you are, but what you can do is run toward who you want to be.” (31)
January 31, 2025
Y’all. You are going to want to preorder Saadia Faruqi’s latest, The Strongest Heart. It comes out on March 4th and it is so moving and such an important story.
First of all, Saadia is a masterful storyteller. I love the way she weaves South Asian culture seamlessly into a story set in Houston, TX. In this book, she does it through the main character Mo’s love of South Asian folktales and music.
Secondly, this story was so personal for her. (Y’all know I always read the author’s note!) Mo’s father has schizophrenia, and Saadia shares that her father did as well, and that many of the challenges Mo faces in the book are challenges she faced as a child. I am sure there are so many children out there who have parents battling mental health challenges who will feel SO seen by reading this book.
This book really brings home the point that you truly never know what someone is going through. Mo has his challenges with another boy at school, Frankie. But eventually they each learn more about each other’s story and find out they have more in common than they knew, and there were a lot or emotions driving their behavior.
Lastly, I loved the way that Mo’s aunt shows up for him in the midst of his dad’s illness and his mom’s absence. She is a stunning example of what family could and should look like. And of course Saadia always does a beautiful job of including Muslim representation in her stories. It’s very clear that Mo and his family are Muslim, yet the story isn’t directly about them being Muslim.
Long story short - go preorder The Strongest Heart!
First of all, Saadia is a masterful storyteller. I love the way she weaves South Asian culture seamlessly into a story set in Houston, TX. In this book, she does it through the main character Mo’s love of South Asian folktales and music.
Secondly, this story was so personal for her. (Y’all know I always read the author’s note!) Mo’s father has schizophrenia, and Saadia shares that her father did as well, and that many of the challenges Mo faces in the book are challenges she faced as a child. I am sure there are so many children out there who have parents battling mental health challenges who will feel SO seen by reading this book.
This book really brings home the point that you truly never know what someone is going through. Mo has his challenges with another boy at school, Frankie. But eventually they each learn more about each other’s story and find out they have more in common than they knew, and there were a lot or emotions driving their behavior.
Lastly, I loved the way that Mo’s aunt shows up for him in the midst of his dad’s illness and his mom’s absence. She is a stunning example of what family could and should look like. And of course Saadia always does a beautiful job of including Muslim representation in her stories. It’s very clear that Mo and his family are Muslim, yet the story isn’t directly about them being Muslim.
Long story short - go preorder The Strongest Heart!
July 23, 2025
Realistically rendered, the author tells the story of Mo, a middle school age boy dealing with a mentally ill father, an absent mother, and the trauma of relocation from New York City where he knew the ropes to the state of Texas, where he doesn’t. Mo is a survivor. He’s developed physical toughness along with a veneer of self-protective cool, which at least superficially stands him in good stead for dealing with his situation. It is in the deeper places where he is vulnerable, where the hurt and rage simmer. Mo is fortunate enough to find himself (along with his father) in the home of his kind and understanding aunt and his cousin, Rayyan, both of whom are dealing with the death of their respective husband and father. His aunt, Naila Phupo, is the glue that holds the entire family together, dispensing maternal care to all despite her own grief.
Both Mo and Rayyan encounter a bully (Frankie) at school who brings out the rage and fear respectively in each of them. It is coming to an awareness of the mental illness Frankie lives with in his own family that brings them to a sort of truce.
Ultimately, though, it is a complete breakdown on the part of Mo’s father that causes the family to fully confront the situation and receive the help necessary to propel them to a better place.
This is a book written especially for those who are experiencing mental illness and its ravages in their own families, but it is also for those who want to understand the challenges faced by those who do. It is written with compassion and humor and honesty, and I recommend it highly.
Both Mo and Rayyan encounter a bully (Frankie) at school who brings out the rage and fear respectively in each of them. It is coming to an awareness of the mental illness Frankie lives with in his own family that brings them to a sort of truce.
Ultimately, though, it is a complete breakdown on the part of Mo’s father that causes the family to fully confront the situation and receive the help necessary to propel them to a better place.
This is a book written especially for those who are experiencing mental illness and its ravages in their own families, but it is also for those who want to understand the challenges faced by those who do. It is written with compassion and humor and honesty, and I recommend it highly.
July 14, 2025
Mo tries to keep people at a distance with his bad boy persona. By 8th grade he's learned that he simply shouldn't count on people. His mom is overseas serving kids who apparently need her more than her own son. And Mo never knows when his father is going to turn into a monster. Then Mo and his father move from New York to Texas to live with his father's sister and his cousin, who is also in 8th grade. In Texas, Mo finds his tough exterior starting to crack as he becomes part of a more stable family, a community at the local mosque, and engages in school. Throughout the novel, Mo connects what is happening in his life to the South Asian folktales he loves. As his character develops he also learns more about the mental illness, schizophrenia, that is behind the monstrous behavior his father sometimes exhibits. Mental illness also leads to a point of connection with a bully at school, who is revealed to have a mother living with bipolar disorder. Mo's growing understanding of the way mental illness impacts his father's ability to be what Mo needs is powerful. According to the author's note this portrayal of mental illness was inspired by her own experiences growing up with a severely mentally ill parent. The Strongest Heart is a moving and ultimately hopeful novel about surviving adversity. There are certainly readers who need this book.
Highly recommended for readers in grades 5-8.
Highly recommended for readers in grades 5-8.
March 3, 2025
This is a lovely, heart wrenching middle grade novel about a kid, Mo, struggling with rage and overwhelming emotions as his father's schizophrenia worsens. The family moves from NYC to Houston, TX to live with Mo's aunt and cousin, Rayyan. Rayyan and Mo become like brothers despite being opposites, and Mo's aunt is so kind and lovely that he is soon happy to be with them, though that makes him even more scared about his dad, and his outbursts in this new home.
This is a very complex novel, where all the kid characters have their own struggles and coping mechanisms. There's a bully who isn't a stereotype, and Rayyan is dealing with his own heartache. Religion becomes a source of comfort for Mo, and the fairytales his neighbor told him as a kid (South Asian tales). I enjoyed all the nuances. My dad is bipolar with affected schizophrenia, and while I responded differently than Mo to the stress of having a parent who often refuses to take meds and go to the therapy he needs, I also really understood where his feelings come from, and experienced many of the exact same scenarios as Mo and his father.
Highly recommend reading this one!
This is a very complex novel, where all the kid characters have their own struggles and coping mechanisms. There's a bully who isn't a stereotype, and Rayyan is dealing with his own heartache. Religion becomes a source of comfort for Mo, and the fairytales his neighbor told him as a kid (South Asian tales). I enjoyed all the nuances. My dad is bipolar with affected schizophrenia, and while I responded differently than Mo to the stress of having a parent who often refuses to take meds and go to the therapy he needs, I also really understood where his feelings come from, and experienced many of the exact same scenarios as Mo and his father.
Highly recommend reading this one!
June 6, 2025
With Mama saving lives in Greece, Mo is stuck with his moody Abbu who moves them to Texas to live with Mo's aunt and cousin. While keeping up his tough guy persona, Mo learns new things about himself and what it feels like to be loved by family. Mo's story shows how one can intellectually grasp that a family member has a mental illness while still feeling upset about the way they act and treat others. The relationship between Mo and his cousin is heartwarming in an emotionally wrought book, and Mo's tell-it-like-it-is voice gives the story power. A great book based on the author's own experiences with a father who had schizophrenia.
June 17, 2025
It was so refreshing to read a middle grade realistic fiction with a boy as the main character! This is my second book by this author and I just love her. This main character is based on her own experiences growing up with a parent with psychiatric illness. I love the cultural tidbits and language. The weaving in of south Asian folktales was 🤌. I liked how Mo didn’t always do the right thing or cope in the best possible way. He struggled with “being a baddie” but he also learned to lean into his religious practices and community, his education, art, gathering information, his teachers and librarian ✊, and his extended family.
October 21, 2025
Mo is used to his father's fits of rage. When Abbu's moods shake the house, Mo is safe inside his head, with his cherished folktales. The best way to respond is not to engage. Apparently, his mama knows that too--which is why she took a job on the other side of the world, leaving Mo alone with Abbu. With Mama gone, the two move to Texas to live with Mo's aunt and cousin Rayyan. The two boys could not be more different. Rayyan is achievement-driven and factual; Mo is a 'bad kid.' Still, there is a lot to like about living in Texas. Sundays at the mosque are better than he'd expected. And Rayyan and his aunt become a real family to Mo."--
December 19, 2025
You know from the beginning that you're heading into a book about a parent who doesn't act appropriately. But somehow, Mo makes this an easy read even though his life is hard. He's stuck with a dad whose schizophrenia is not well treated and a mom working on another continent. We meet him as he moves in with his aunt and cousin in Texas, having to do a whole new state/new school thing. His voice is very strong, and his love of folktales helps to move the story along in different ways. While I didn't necessarily love the ending, I did enjoy seeing all the ways that he learned to be part of a functional family--and his family became more functional too.
March 12, 2025
Another amazing story by Faruqi! From experiences in her own childhood, Faruqi tells the story of a middle school boy growing up with a father who has untreated mental illness. I found myself angry with his parents often, especially his mother who escaped the situation to pursue a career leaving Mo with an unstable parent. Faruqi is both realistic and compassionate in her depiction of the mentally ill parent educating readers on schizophrenia and the ill person's inability to control the disease or help themselves.
February 19, 2025
Wow. This book was impossible to put down and taught me so much. A heartbreaking, yet hopeful book about middle schooler Mo who is living with his father who has schizophrenia. Although his mom isn’t around, Mo realizes there are others around him who care deeply about him and can help him navigate the challenges he and his father are facing. I love how Saadia Faruqi embeds folktales throughout the story, bringing Mo’s passions to life. An outstanding must read, coming out next month!
March 5, 2025
3.5 stars. Mo recently moved to Houston from New York City with his dad to live with his aunt and cousin. His dad can't keep a job, and his mom is on a fellowship in Greece working with refugee children. Readers experience Mo's year in 7th grade in a new school while trying to deal with his dad's mental illness. The book is overly ambitious because it also weaves in folk stories, which messes up the flow of the book. This is a touching, important book about family and mental illness.
May 21, 2025
Mental illness is difficult to read about, and, I imagine, to write about. Mo and his family have a variety of feelings about, and reactions to his father's schizophrenia, and most are believable and appropriate. Mo's missing mother is a bit hard to understand, but his aunt and cousin are supporting and kind. Mo's complicated relationship with Frankie is also an interesting twist. I found this book unsettling, but with a satisfying ending.
June 26, 2025
Mo moves with his Dad from New York City to live with his Dad’s sister and nephew in Texas while his Mom is off saving the world (well, saving refugees in Greece this time). Mo doesn’t understand why his Mom has left but does understand that his father has serious anger and mental health issues. Mo tries to make sense of his world by retelling folktales from India, volunteering with his cousin at the Mosque, and helping his cousin overcome his own problems.
September 26, 2025
Where this book really shined for me was in Mo's retellings of old Desi folktales. I LOVED those parts and the way that the author weaved them in to what was happening in his own life. I also appreciated reading about a parent with schizophrenia and the way Mo's understanding of his father's behavior shifts as the story progresses. All of the characters are nuanced, even the bully, which made the story layered and whole.
November 6, 2024
A very engaging & powerful story highlighting mental illness in a family and how it affects each member differently. Many students live with a parent or sibling that has been diagnosed with a mental illness. This story will allow them insight into the feelings attached with dealing with this as well as resources that could be looked into.
A necessary addition to school libraries!
A necessary addition to school libraries!
May 25, 2025
Mo is an 8th grader with a lot of stuff going on at home and when his mom leaves for 2 years and he is alone with his dad who has severe mental health issues , they move to Texas to live with his aunt and cousin. Feeling deserted and scared, he grows angrier and angrier every day and not sure how he’ll cope.
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