Yasmin the Librarian

Yasmin #13

by Saadia Faruqi, Hatem Aly (Contributor)

It is library day and helper Yasmin is busy shelving books, but suddenly she discovers that her own special book is missing prompting her to calmly retrace her steps.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, School, Fiction, Chapter Books, Books About Books, Realistic Fiction

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Saadia 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.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book where intrepid Yasmin proves an excellent helper in the library, but maybe not as conscientious about her own book. Yasmin is a great delight for young and old.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

#OwnVoices Saadia Faruqi gives us a juvenile chapter book for kids showcasing a Pakistani protagonist.
Yasmin loves Library Day at school. She wants to show their librarian her favorite book and even gets to be the librarian's helper for the day, but when her prized book goes missing, she must search high and low through the library to recover it.
The discovery of sharing and values of the library are beautifully conveyed here and the back of the book features a glossary of Urdu (language of Pakistan) words as well as a set of discussion questions.
Hatem Aly does a nice job with the cartoonish and representative illustrations featured amongst Yasmin, her classmates and their librarian.

[Genesee Rickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was straight up adorable! I think it would work well for advanced easy readers who aren't quite ready for more traditional early chapter books. The focus isn't on sight words, so "advanced" really does mean advanced. There are several simple, cute, full-page illustrations, paired with large font and lots of white space on the page, which is why (to me) it doesn't quite feel like an early chapter book. As a librarian, I found this story touching. Also, how awesome is it to have a Black school librarian depicted?! Much needed representation, a story line that will draw in most kids, and adorable illustrations - this is a great read.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Yasmin. The first book in the Yasmin series reminds me so much of my kid. And now she's a librarian? Be still my heart. So much to love here...love the sharing of the story, love the back matter, love Yasmin!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's library day and Yasmin is excited because it's her turn to be the library helper. Yasmin is also excited because she has a special book to share with the librarian. A useful book to introduce the library. Librarians be prepared to get library volunteers because Yasmin enthusiasm is contagious.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yasmin's stories are as bright as they are reassuring.

[Umm Afraz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Yasmin the Librarian took me back to my school days when I used to look forward to the Library period just to talk to the librarian and discuss about books with her.

In Yasmin the Librarian, Yasmin looks forward to the library class to not only show the librarian her special book, but also to help her shelve the books back and to assist the readers with their requests. During her class, as she goes about being the library helper, she loses her special book given to her by her baba (father). What happens following that is the main story which ends with the librarian saying that Yasmin is a a true librarian.

What an honor to hear that from a librarian!

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy reader with a beautiful cultural angle. I loved learning a little about Yasmin's world, watching her day as a librarian helper. The Urdu words mixed in were fun, especially with the glossary at the end. Many of us are so used to seeing the occasion Spanish or French words in our texts - why not a little more understanding of our Pakistani neighbors? Great representation in a remarkably accessible format for young readers.

Checked out at library and reviewed in consideration for Cybils Award Easy Reader Book shortlist for 2021.

[Lisa Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of the series that I've read, but I love the diversity in the story and in the illustrations. As Yasmin is helping in the library, the children she encounters are from a variety of races and cultures. Yasmin, herself, is a role model, being Pakistani and Muslim. The school librarian is African-American. It is wonderful to think that children of different backgrounds can see themselves in this book and, I'm sure, in others of the series.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Yasmin. Here she is the library helper for the day and gets to shelve books, distribute bookmarks, and share her own favorite story. I felt like the drama and conflict were not quite as robust as in the other Yasmin stories I remember, but that doesn't really diminish my enjoyment.

Remembering going to the school library, especially in Elementary School, this book brought back a lot of those memories. I also love how the book shows diversity without telling it.

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this one for so many reasons. Yasmin experienced the library and the love of what it's like to work in one at her school. The librarian isn't stereotyped as an old lady with a cardigan and glasses! Yasmin shares her culture through a book from home, and her librarian embraces the story she brings. I liked the fact that at the back of the book, there are questions for discussion with a child, an activity with creating a bookmark, and information about where Yasmin is from.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a librarian who has loved books my whole life, I could not WAIT to read this Yasmin story! 🥰📚

Yasmin has a favorite keetahb (book) to share with her favorite school librarian, Mrs. Kogo! But first, it's Yasmin's day to be a library helper, and that means putting the books away, cleaning the tables of used books, and even giving a friend a bookmark.

This would be a fun read-a-loud story and a perfect young reader level to share about other cultures.

[asiya | アセヤ (free palestine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book! I loved reading because of how much I love to read and how it is amazing to show a young Muslim girl submerged within books. The cute twist was amazing at the end. I loved how she does so much to organize her books and help the school librarian out! Amazing read, once again!

[Dorthe Svendsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I denne serien finnes det mange fler. Men jeg tok de to som virket artige for min del. Likte de skikkelig godt. Språket er enkelt for selvstendige lesere i tidlig engelsk-løp. Det er så mange bøker at nesten alle kan finne noen som fenger. Baksidene handler om flere tips for å bygge ut boka: fakta om land, språk og noe en kan lage. Passer fint i alle skolebibliotek.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Yasmin series is a gem! The stories are delightful and at the end of each book there are talking points and more ways to learn. I especially liked a chance to learn some Urdu words, and facts about Pakistan. I look forward to adding more Yasmin books to our library collection.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cuuuuuuute easy chapter book! Great for storytime, also great for introducing kiddos to Pakistan's culture and Urdu language! A neat lil activity at the end of the book that kids can complete after storytime. Can't wait to read the other books in this series.

[Laura Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this cute early reader series. Short chapters and Yasmin is always up to a fun adventure!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yasmin is the library helper of the day and brings a كِتاب to share with the librarian. Fun and cheery, this very much reminds me of students I had in my own school library.

[Maryam]

It's an amazing book. I think people should try it!
100000 stars.




Maryam
4th grade

[Shaye Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad to see Yasmin is such a great helper in the library. This is such a wonderful early chapter book and I'm glad to see Saadia Faruqi is continuing this series!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for Yasmin the library helper who sees the positive in a missing book.

Anthologized in Give it a Try, Yasmin!

[Leann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series but I don't get why the teacher would start reading the book Yasmin brought in to share with everyone without waiting for her?!

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely darling! I grabbed this and a few other children's books in Spanish in order to have something fun and light-hearted to practice reading, and this was a phenomenal choice.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yasmin is fun and a great library helper.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

She's trusted to reshelve books and give help to other students! Golly, I sure would have enjoyed helping in my school when I was little.

[Kayla Plutzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very cute! I want to get this series for my students.