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Bhai for Now
A fresh and fun new spin on the Parent-Trap story, by Indies Introduce author Maleeha Siddiqui
Ashar is busy with the ice hockey team, studying to get into the best school, and hanging out with his friends.
Shaheer and his father are always moving, following his dad's jobs. Shaheer has given up hope of finding a place where he can put down roots, a place that feels like home.
The two boys have nothing in common.
But when they meet on Shaheer's first day at his new school, it’s like looking in a mirror.
They quickly figure out that they're twins, separated as babies. And they are determined to do whatever it takes—including secretly switching identities—to get to know the parent they've been separated from.
This is the story of two long-lost brothers who, while they might not like each other, just might need each other. Bhai for Now is by turns heartwarming and hilarious, and with an unforgettable Muslim family and friendship story at its core.
Ashar is busy with the ice hockey team, studying to get into the best school, and hanging out with his friends.
Shaheer and his father are always moving, following his dad's jobs. Shaheer has given up hope of finding a place where he can put down roots, a place that feels like home.
The two boys have nothing in common.
But when they meet on Shaheer's first day at his new school, it’s like looking in a mirror.
They quickly figure out that they're twins, separated as babies. And they are determined to do whatever it takes—including secretly switching identities—to get to know the parent they've been separated from.
This is the story of two long-lost brothers who, while they might not like each other, just might need each other. Bhai for Now is by turns heartwarming and hilarious, and with an unforgettable Muslim family and friendship story at its core.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2022
28 people are currently reading
2015 people want to read
About the author
Maleeha Siddiqui
5 books121 followersMaleeha Siddiqui is an American writer of Pakistani descent who loves to tell stories for all ages. Her books include Barakah Beats (Scholastic 2021), Bhai For Now (Scholastic 2022), and Any Way You Look (Scholastic 2024). By day, Maleeha works as a regulatory affairs professional in the biotech industry. She grew up and continues to reside with her family in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
July 20, 2022
For everyone who asks me about halal, age-appropriate books for young Muslim boys... THIS IS IT. THIS IS THE ONE!!!
Twin brothers separated at birth bump into each other for the first time at school - and complicated shenanigans ensue! Ashar and Shaheer must navigate their new relationship, while trying to forge a new future with their *whole* family. Their family relationships - full of love and complexity - are written so beautifully.
This book has unapologetically Muslim and Islamic references and values throughout, which truly makes it shine. I am so incredibly impressed that @kidspress @scholasticinc published this amazing story!
I am so grateful to have received an ARC, and I'm telling y'all to preorder it ASAP for yourselves!
5/5 🌟
#Bookstagram #muslimbookstagram #MuslimMG #MuslimFiction #MuslimFiction #WeNeedDiverseBooks #OwnVoices #muslimrepresentation #authenticrepresentation #MuslimWomenWriters #MuslimWriters #MyMuslimShelfSpace
Twin brothers separated at birth bump into each other for the first time at school - and complicated shenanigans ensue! Ashar and Shaheer must navigate their new relationship, while trying to forge a new future with their *whole* family. Their family relationships - full of love and complexity - are written so beautifully.
This book has unapologetically Muslim and Islamic references and values throughout, which truly makes it shine. I am so incredibly impressed that @kidspress @scholasticinc published this amazing story!
I am so grateful to have received an ARC, and I'm telling y'all to preorder it ASAP for yourselves!
5/5 🌟
#Bookstagram #muslimbookstagram #MuslimMG #MuslimFiction #MuslimFiction #WeNeedDiverseBooks #OwnVoices #muslimrepresentation #authenticrepresentation #MuslimWomenWriters #MuslimWriters #MyMuslimShelfSpace
November 1, 2022
If you have watched and loved The Parent Trap starring Lindsey Logan (identical twins, didn’t know the other twin existed, met at school/academic scenario, parents living separately miles away, the twins plan to switch places acting as the other and everything ends well), don’t bother except that the identical twins are boys in this one.
June 25, 2022
BHAI FOR NOW by Maleeha Siddiqui is UTTERLY DELIGHTFUL. I had been in a reading rut, but this book sucked me in and I finished it in a day. The book had me chuckling throughout the story (spinach and pineapple toppings on pizza LOL!) but also hit me emotionally.
I loved the boy protagonists (Ashar and Shaheer!) who had distinct and appealing personalities, the loving Dada, their parents, and how my faith and Pakistani culture were woven through seamlessly.
The twists and turns of the book kept me reading and I liked how it had a Parent-Trap vibe but also was realistic in its handling!
The title of the story is perfection and the cover by Javeria Talha is gorgeous and I can't wait for readers of all ages to fall in love with this story. I loved BARAKAH BEATS and this story as well! Siddiqui's prose flows effortlessly like a movie you don't want to stop watching - now if these 2 books could be adapted to Netflix, my life would be made.
I loved the boy protagonists (Ashar and Shaheer!) who had distinct and appealing personalities, the loving Dada, their parents, and how my faith and Pakistani culture were woven through seamlessly.
The twists and turns of the book kept me reading and I liked how it had a Parent-Trap vibe but also was realistic in its handling!
The title of the story is perfection and the cover by Javeria Talha is gorgeous and I can't wait for readers of all ages to fall in love with this story. I loved BARAKAH BEATS and this story as well! Siddiqui's prose flows effortlessly like a movie you don't want to stop watching - now if these 2 books could be adapted to Netflix, my life would be made.
January 25, 2025
➸ 4 | ⋆˚˖🥅 ‧｡⋆📕 ⋆˚˖ 🕌 ‧｡⋆🏒
⋆˚ ༘♡.thoughts
╰✎ definitely a good start to the year. i loved the premise since i’ve actually never seen the parent trap. i also love middle grade books because they’re so fast paced.
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡ ࣪characters
⤷ asher: this kid was so chaotic. he was also selfish, a sterotypical jock, but he had a big heart. i’m glad he got some character growth and the his ending just made the story feel complete.
⤷ shaheer: he’s so me. such an introvert. i’m glad he found his own thing, that he was able to define myself like his twin.
✩‧₊˚quotes
“His desire to stick with us needs to be greater than his fear of losing us.”
“That’s a horrible idea. Do you really think we’d be able to trick them?” Ashar furrowed his eyebrows. “We’re identical twins!”
“Shaheer let his silence do all the talking now.”
˚⊹ 𐦍༘⋆spoilers
^ྀ WHY WAS THEIR DAD SUCH AN ASSHOLE? I GENUINELY COULD NOT BELIEVE THE CHARACTER TURN AROUND - HE WAS SO EVIL AND ALWAYS FELT THE NEED TO SUPERIOR EVEN TO HIS OWN FATHER. THAT SHIT WAS CRAZY.
⋆˚ ༘♡.thoughts
╰✎ definitely a good start to the year. i loved the premise since i’ve actually never seen the parent trap. i also love middle grade books because they’re so fast paced.
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡ ࣪characters
⤷ asher: this kid was so chaotic. he was also selfish, a sterotypical jock, but he had a big heart. i’m glad he got some character growth and the his ending just made the story feel complete.
⤷ shaheer: he’s so me. such an introvert. i’m glad he found his own thing, that he was able to define myself like his twin.
✩‧₊˚quotes
“His desire to stick with us needs to be greater than his fear of losing us.”
“That’s a horrible idea. Do you really think we’d be able to trick them?” Ashar furrowed his eyebrows. “We’re identical twins!”
“Shaheer let his silence do all the talking now.”
˚⊹ 𐦍༘⋆spoilers
^ྀ WHY WAS THEIR DAD SUCH AN ASSHOLE? I GENUINELY COULD NOT BELIEVE THE CHARACTER TURN AROUND - HE WAS SO EVIL AND ALWAYS FELT THE NEED TO SUPERIOR EVEN TO HIS OWN FATHER. THAT SHIT WAS CRAZY.
July 31, 2022
I’ve been getting a lot of requests lately for age appropriate books for young kids and this is it!! This is a cute retelling of the Parent Trap but instead it features two twin boys names Ashar & Shareer. I adored how fast-paced it is and that it lived up to the hype. I highly recommend this.
Rep: South Asian (specifically Pakistani) , Muslim
I can only speak about the Muslim rep. I’m South Asian but not Pakistani. I adored the Muslim rep in this. I’ll have a book review on this closer to release date on pop-culturalist or Islamic Horizons. This was so cute and I highly recommend it. Teachers should definitely pick this up for their classroom libraries.
Disclaimer: thank you so much to Maleeha for a copy of this book. I can’t wait to keep it in my classroom library once I start teaching next year iA. I also plan on featuring this on my bookstagram page- link in bio or go to @meetcuteromancebooks.
Rep: South Asian (specifically Pakistani) , Muslim
I can only speak about the Muslim rep. I’m South Asian but not Pakistani. I adored the Muslim rep in this. I’ll have a book review on this closer to release date on pop-culturalist or Islamic Horizons. This was so cute and I highly recommend it. Teachers should definitely pick this up for their classroom libraries.
Disclaimer: thank you so much to Maleeha for a copy of this book. I can’t wait to keep it in my classroom library once I start teaching next year iA. I also plan on featuring this on my bookstagram page- link in bio or go to @meetcuteromancebooks.
June 28, 2024
This book is one of the greatest middle grade books of all time. Shaheer, Ashar, and Zohra are the best trio ever (they beat the golden trio by far) and Maleeha Siqqique is the best middle grade author ever
July 21, 2022
We tend to love people and books that do things first, for good reason, they raise the bar, set the standard, and pave the way for all those that come after. And no, this is not the first middle grade traditionally published book to have Muslim characters having a completely non-Islamic-identity-centered plot, BUT it might just be the best one I've read. The amount of Islam woven into the characters and storyline is absolutely incredible and seamless. The writing quality keeping dual male point of views separate, engaging, and unique without judgement, is nearly flawless. The emotional connection of the writing and characters and plot had me both laughing out loud and crying unapologetically within the span of the 276 pages of the book. This book is a treat for the readers and everyone eight and up I'm quite nearly certain will enjoy this Muslim authored, unapologetically Muslim approach about two 8th grade strangers realizing they are twin brothers and getting to know each other.
SYNOPSIS:
Shaheer lives with his dad and paternal grandfather. They are well-to-do with his father being an ER physician, but they move around a lot, and never stay in one place long enough to make friends, unpack boxes, or feel like they have a home. Ashar has lived in Virginia since he was four. He and his mom recently moved out of living with her brother and his family, but they are next door so even though money is often tight, family and love are always present.
The first day of eighth grade finds the two boys at the same school, staring at each other and wondering how they can maybe find the pieces of themselves that have always been missing. The idea is good, but the reality is complicated. Ashar and Shaheer's parents have refused to even acknowledge each other to the boys over the years, extended family plays along, and the boys have to decide if they can even forgive their parents for doing this to them. Throw in a cousin who knows the boys are switching places, hockey practices, a masjid remodel, and the ever looming threat that Shaheer will be moving yet again and the stage is set for a lot of laughs, tears, and characters that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
WHY I LIKE IT:
The retelling of "The Parent Trap" is not predictable, nor does it talk down to the reader and tie everything up in a nice unrealistic bow. There are twists and disappointment and hope and joy, not just for the characters, but for the readers as well. The side characters are even fleshed out and memorable, not just as foils for the protagonists (I loved cousin Zohra), but as characters with a vested interest in how it all plays out. I was surprised how clearly different the characters are, even when imitating one another and how nuanced their differences are. They are not simply opposites: one is not good the other bad, one outgoing one an introvert, rather they are just different, as any two siblings undoubtedly would be.
I absolutely love how Islam is so much a part of the story, a part of the characters, a part of the details, but is not the whole story. There is no Islamophobia, internal or external, there is no religious othering, it is masterfully done and Muslims and non Muslims alike will benefit from the real tangible expression, growth, and presentation of faith for the characters.
Similarly, culture is presented as a part of the characters in various forms without overly explaining or white centering. This is who the characters are and their present predicament, as crazy as it is, could happen to anyone, of any culture or of any faith, the two are not corollary. But because it is happening to Ashar and Shaheer, the reader is brought into their world where namaz, azan, mosques, hockey, entrance exams, volunteer work, finances, naan, pineapple on pizza, donuts, and nihari are all present and all unapologized for. Well, except for the pineapple on pizza.
The best part of it all, is that it is also clean.
FLAGS:
There is mention of Shaheer putting his headphones on and listening to music. Zohra plays flute in the band and it mentions when she has practice or that the family all goes and supports her. Male cousins and female cousins interact with each other freely.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
If my middle school book club is mostly 6th graders in the fall, I think I will feature this book as soon as it is released on October 4th. Even if it is a bit below "reading level" the writing is engaging and I don't think even the most cynical book club member will be sorry they spent time with this book. It would be a quick read for them, but an enjoyable one for sure.
SYNOPSIS:
Shaheer lives with his dad and paternal grandfather. They are well-to-do with his father being an ER physician, but they move around a lot, and never stay in one place long enough to make friends, unpack boxes, or feel like they have a home. Ashar has lived in Virginia since he was four. He and his mom recently moved out of living with her brother and his family, but they are next door so even though money is often tight, family and love are always present.
The first day of eighth grade finds the two boys at the same school, staring at each other and wondering how they can maybe find the pieces of themselves that have always been missing. The idea is good, but the reality is complicated. Ashar and Shaheer's parents have refused to even acknowledge each other to the boys over the years, extended family plays along, and the boys have to decide if they can even forgive their parents for doing this to them. Throw in a cousin who knows the boys are switching places, hockey practices, a masjid remodel, and the ever looming threat that Shaheer will be moving yet again and the stage is set for a lot of laughs, tears, and characters that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
WHY I LIKE IT:
The retelling of "The Parent Trap" is not predictable, nor does it talk down to the reader and tie everything up in a nice unrealistic bow. There are twists and disappointment and hope and joy, not just for the characters, but for the readers as well. The side characters are even fleshed out and memorable, not just as foils for the protagonists (I loved cousin Zohra), but as characters with a vested interest in how it all plays out. I was surprised how clearly different the characters are, even when imitating one another and how nuanced their differences are. They are not simply opposites: one is not good the other bad, one outgoing one an introvert, rather they are just different, as any two siblings undoubtedly would be.
I absolutely love how Islam is so much a part of the story, a part of the characters, a part of the details, but is not the whole story. There is no Islamophobia, internal or external, there is no religious othering, it is masterfully done and Muslims and non Muslims alike will benefit from the real tangible expression, growth, and presentation of faith for the characters.
Similarly, culture is presented as a part of the characters in various forms without overly explaining or white centering. This is who the characters are and their present predicament, as crazy as it is, could happen to anyone, of any culture or of any faith, the two are not corollary. But because it is happening to Ashar and Shaheer, the reader is brought into their world where namaz, azan, mosques, hockey, entrance exams, volunteer work, finances, naan, pineapple on pizza, donuts, and nihari are all present and all unapologized for. Well, except for the pineapple on pizza.
The best part of it all, is that it is also clean.
FLAGS:
There is mention of Shaheer putting his headphones on and listening to music. Zohra plays flute in the band and it mentions when she has practice or that the family all goes and supports her. Male cousins and female cousins interact with each other freely.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
If my middle school book club is mostly 6th graders in the fall, I think I will feature this book as soon as it is released on October 4th. Even if it is a bit below "reading level" the writing is engaging and I don't think even the most cynical book club member will be sorry they spent time with this book. It would be a quick read for them, but an enjoyable one for sure.
May 28, 2022
Twin brothers Shaheer and Ashar are not much alike other than in appearance. Shaheer is quiet and withdrawn, preferring to unplug from his surroundings with his AirPods in his ears. Ashar loves playing hockey and is determined and confident. Oh, and neither knows the other exists until after Shaheer’s dad moves them (AGAIN) and when he attends his new school, runs into his twin. BHAI FOR NOW is funny, touching, and a heartwarming “parent-trap” story that I did not want to put down. Maleeha Siddiqui is quickly becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors!
July 7, 2022
I'm so excited to share my second MG contemporary with you, friends! Here are just a few things you can expect to find in this book:
- Parent Trap-inspired retelling
- Desi Muslim twin boys! (Dual POV)
- Hate-to-Bromance (if that's what you wanna call it lol)
- Family drama/cousin friend
- Brother story
- A loving grandfather
- HGTV/reno love!
- Ice hockey!
Is it different from BARAKAH BEATS? Yes. Does it still have a whole lot of heart? Also yes :) I can't wait to introduce the world to Ashar and Shaheer in the fall. BHAI FOR NOW is out on October 4th, 2022!
- Parent Trap-inspired retelling
- Desi Muslim twin boys! (Dual POV)
- Hate-to-Bromance (if that's what you wanna call it lol)
- Family drama/cousin friend
- Brother story
- A loving grandfather
- HGTV/reno love!
- Ice hockey!
Is it different from BARAKAH BEATS? Yes. Does it still have a whole lot of heart? Also yes :) I can't wait to introduce the world to Ashar and Shaheer in the fall. BHAI FOR NOW is out on October 4th, 2022!
May 14, 2024
I enjoyed lots of things about this Pakistani American Parent Trap. The growing sibling bonds were great, Dada was delightful, and I especially loved the ending
A couple of things bothered me. A minor quibble:
A major concern:
FLE is Family Life Education, in other words Sex Ed. Ashar's mother, a teacher at the same school, doesn't allow him to take standard Sex Ed classes because she's "more traditional". Firstly, it is worrying to me that anyone can opt out of basic health care education for any reason, and even more so for religious reasons. Secondly, the text is completely uncritical about Zareena's choice here, there is no pushback or even much of a reaction. Ashar is just never going to get sex ed?? Is Jawad, a doctor, going to be okay with that? Will Shaheer have to drop this class as well now? This, more than anything else they fight about, is a relationship destroying conflict. I'm really unhappy with how the book frames it as a valid decision and a non-issue. In pushing to (rightly) normalise Muslim lives and culture to combat Islamophobia, idealising the more fundamentalist aspects of this or any religion is concerning and deserves more thought than the author has given it here. This mix of neoliberal identity politics and superficial choice feminism is not for me.
A couple of things bothered me. A minor quibble:
A major concern:
“They’re taking FLE classes. Mom doesn’t let me take FLE, so I would’ve just been sitting in the library.
--
Wait, Mom doesn’t let you take FLE?”
---
“Yeah, Mom doesn’t let me take FLE. I guess she’s a little more traditional.”
“Explains a lot about your emotional maturity, actually,” said Shaheer, and turned to the items on the counter.
FLE is Family Life Education, in other words Sex Ed. Ashar's mother, a teacher at the same school, doesn't allow him to take standard Sex Ed classes because she's "more traditional". Firstly, it is worrying to me that anyone can opt out of basic health care education for any reason, and even more so for religious reasons. Secondly, the text is completely uncritical about Zareena's choice here, there is no pushback or even much of a reaction. Ashar is just never going to get sex ed?? Is Jawad, a doctor, going to be okay with that? Will Shaheer have to drop this class as well now? This, more than anything else they fight about, is a relationship destroying conflict. I'm really unhappy with how the book frames it as a valid decision and a non-issue. In pushing to (rightly) normalise Muslim lives and culture to combat Islamophobia, idealising the more fundamentalist aspects of this or any religion is concerning and deserves more thought than the author has given it here. This mix of neoliberal identity politics and superficial choice feminism is not for me.
November 19, 2022
A fantastic, fun, whole-hearted middle grade story, I can see this being an easy sell to my students on so many levels.
September 16, 2023
Lolo , they so funny 😆.
December 23, 2022
I read this book to my 9 year old son at bedtime. He is a biracial/bicultural-his dad is from India and I'm from the US.
For him, it was great to read about other boys with South Asian heritage (books about girls seem to be more common). He wanted me to keep reading because he said, "It was interesting." He also wanted me to change the review from 4 to 5 stars.
As a divorced parent, I liked how the relationship between the parents was realistic. There wasn't an overly sweet conclusion and yet it remained age-appropriate. The family dynamics in the book were sometimes frustrating, sometimes funny-just like real life.
For him, it was great to read about other boys with South Asian heritage (books about girls seem to be more common). He wanted me to keep reading because he said, "It was interesting." He also wanted me to change the review from 4 to 5 stars.
As a divorced parent, I liked how the relationship between the parents was realistic. There wasn't an overly sweet conclusion and yet it remained age-appropriate. The family dynamics in the book were sometimes frustrating, sometimes funny-just like real life.
July 6, 2022
OMG this book made me cry and reminded me why the MG category will just always be my favorite book genre🥰❤️❤️
Genre: MG
Ages: 9-12
Available: preorder before the October release date (preorders support authors!!)
Shaheer and Ashar are twins…but they have never met. Shaheer moves around a lot with his dad, and Ashar and his mom have only recently moved out of his Uncle’s house. When they crash into each other at school, they hatch a plan to switch places and maybe, just maybe, their parents might decide to stay in the same place so the boys can stay together.
This book was so FUN to read, with school, funny kid statements, sports, and so much more MG coolness!
This is a retelling of the popular movie PARENT TRAP but absolutely stands on its own and is just an amazing book on the importance of faith and family❤️
Oh man this book made me cry! The emotions of the boys and how they dealt with the very real hardships of a tumultuous divorce between their parents are so sad, but also so necessary! So many children need to be able to read these stories, and these types of books will help children learn to cope and even if they aren’t in this situation, they will learn empathy and love for their siblings and family members. I felt the positive messaging was very age appropriate and it truly is such a NECESSARY book!
I loved how this book showed two very different Muslim families, and even if they practiced differently, ISLAM was shown as their uniting factor and way of finding peace in the end! I loved how the final scene was at the Masjid!
So much Islam- Masjids, Salams, praying, wudu, jummah, charity, and soooo much more- I was genuinely so impressed and felt so seen by this book!
Truly books like this showing Muslim kids that love their faith, love their families, and have real life stories show positive Islam messaging and help Muslim kids feel like they belong!
Def a Must HAVE❤️
Genre: MG
Ages: 9-12
Available: preorder before the October release date (preorders support authors!!)
Shaheer and Ashar are twins…but they have never met. Shaheer moves around a lot with his dad, and Ashar and his mom have only recently moved out of his Uncle’s house. When they crash into each other at school, they hatch a plan to switch places and maybe, just maybe, their parents might decide to stay in the same place so the boys can stay together.
This book was so FUN to read, with school, funny kid statements, sports, and so much more MG coolness!
This is a retelling of the popular movie PARENT TRAP but absolutely stands on its own and is just an amazing book on the importance of faith and family❤️
Oh man this book made me cry! The emotions of the boys and how they dealt with the very real hardships of a tumultuous divorce between their parents are so sad, but also so necessary! So many children need to be able to read these stories, and these types of books will help children learn to cope and even if they aren’t in this situation, they will learn empathy and love for their siblings and family members. I felt the positive messaging was very age appropriate and it truly is such a NECESSARY book!
I loved how this book showed two very different Muslim families, and even if they practiced differently, ISLAM was shown as their uniting factor and way of finding peace in the end! I loved how the final scene was at the Masjid!
So much Islam- Masjids, Salams, praying, wudu, jummah, charity, and soooo much more- I was genuinely so impressed and felt so seen by this book!
Truly books like this showing Muslim kids that love their faith, love their families, and have real life stories show positive Islam messaging and help Muslim kids feel like they belong!
Def a Must HAVE❤️
May 1, 2025
I loved this book. It did a great job of being a retelling of the movie Parent Trap all the while having its own plot and characters. There are so many good lessons in this book and I really liked the ending and how things all came together.
Read For
✓ Secret Twin
✓ Muslim MCs
✓ Middle Grade
✓ Family Drama
✓ Parent Trap Vibes
𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊
Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧💧
Plot: 9/10
Pace: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Enjoyability: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Ashar and Shaheer
Favorite Quote: ❝Besides, what was the point of a home if the people who should care about you didn't show up for you?❞
POV: Duel, Third Person
Pages: 288
Format: Audiobook
Language: English
Release Date: 04, October 2022
Rep/Extras: Pakistani (main characters)
September 2, 2023
it's all over 😭 !! and I miss shaheer and ashar already! ❤
i love love this book!
would I read it again? yes I would !
•i admired it right away when I noticed the characters are pakistani. I always enjoy a good book that's similiar in culture , makes it so relatable and funny. the moments with dada were always so 😂 Anda salan and nihari killed me looool I would remember the nihari moment during a random point in my day and start laughing haha
•the relationship building between the brothers was super cute, made me emosh at two points. wish I could read more about them.
•very easy to read and gets straight to the point in plot . I can't wait for more books by Maleeha.
i love love this book!
would I read it again? yes I would !
•i admired it right away when I noticed the characters are pakistani. I always enjoy a good book that's similiar in culture , makes it so relatable and funny. the moments with dada were always so 😂 Anda salan and nihari killed me looool I would remember the nihari moment during a random point in my day and start laughing haha
•the relationship building between the brothers was super cute, made me emosh at two points. wish I could read more about them.
•very easy to read and gets straight to the point in plot . I can't wait for more books by Maleeha.
August 31, 2024
I read this book because it was on our state's middle grade award list. I adore The Parent Trap and this was a fun reimagining of it. It was very interesting to learn more about the Islamic Faith and Urdu while reading about everyday life with these two families. The tale was fast-paced and it felt like a very quick read. It is a very refreshing story to have a main character who was a Muslim and the story wasn't about racism or anti-Muslim ideas and the protagonists overcoming the situation. I thought the climax of the story was a bit like a corny rom-com and a bit much for teenage boys. And the parents were a bit ridiculous in their reactions and their actions of 13 years ago.
Content notes: arguing parents, divorced parents, arguments between brothers
Content notes: arguing parents, divorced parents, arguments between brothers
June 8, 2022
Ashar and Shaheer are shocked to meet on the first day of school and discover they are carbon copies of each other. They aren't related ... or are they? Soon the boys realize that they are twins separated by their divorced parents, raised apart. Now each would like to meet the other parent. Ashar is striving to get into a prestigious high school and Shaheer is tired of moving around so much. Will all of that change when the boys switch places? I thought this was very inventive story and really enjoyed the book. I think readers who are of Muslim faith will love seeing themselves in the books. Readers who aren't of Muslim faith will also enjoy, and get a glimpse of another religion/culture. I definitely will share this with young readers when its published.
October 1, 2024
What a fun middle grade read. I can see why all the kids love it. Some humor, some relatable moments. The characters and their challenges are all familiar. Great growth with a complex plot.
Teacher thoughts: this could be a good read aloud. It has plenty of character development for analysis. No content issues.
Teacher thoughts: this could be a good read aloud. It has plenty of character development for analysis. No content issues.
October 14, 2022
This was amazing! A sweet story about two twin brothers meeting Parent Trap style with a twist. I loved both Ashar and Shaheer, and found myself feeling so emotional reading this! There were so many wonderful moments in this book, very wholesome and entertaining. Highly recommend!
April 21, 2023
Adorable! A Muslim families version of the parent trap. Added to my classroom library.
June 22, 2023
This was such a delightful read! I loved reading about Shaheer and Ashar as they connected with each other and the rest of their family. Zohra and Dada were so wonderful and wholesome - the perfect supporting characters! I also loved the Muslimness of the whole story - it was great to see everyday aspects of Muslim life represented so casually and naturally, and the masjid plot thread with Shaheer was one of my favourite parts (among so many others)!
I don't know if Maleeha Siddiqui has plans to write a sequel, but I'm craving more time with these characters. Great book!
I don't know if Maleeha Siddiqui has plans to write a sequel, but I'm craving more time with these characters. Great book!
May 30, 2025
Such a cute book, a Muslim twist on parent trap.
December 24, 2022
This story of twins trading places turned out to be a tear jerker! The themes of family, belonging, and confidences can all be discussed. Boys would enjoy reading with male main characters and hockey action. I appreciate that this is another of the author’s clean novels that I will recommend for our school library. Thanks for a happy ending!
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Shareer Atique lives with his father, a doctor, and his grandfather, whom he calls Dada. His father changes jobs a lot, so the men live in nondescript apartments, and Shareer is not thrilled to have to start a new school in northern Virginia. He never knew his mother, since his parents divorced when he was very young, and his father refuses to talk about her. Ashar Malik is very interested in playing hockey, and is studying to take an entrance exam to a private high school with a really good hockey team. Money is tight, so he hopes he can get a scholarship. He and his mother, a high school math teacher, have recently gotten their own town house after years of living with his uncle's family. His cousin, Zohra, is a bit irritated with him because she misses having him nearby. His mother refuses to talk about his father. When Shareer starts at his new school, he is immediately mistaken for Ashar, and when the two meet, they are shocked to see how identical they are. After some discussion, they realize that they are twins, and try to figure out the best way to tell their families. Because they are 8th grade boys, they decide the best plan of action is to pretend to be the other person, and spend time with their counterpart's family that way. Ashar enjoys going on walks with his grandfather, and goes on a lot of errands and outings with his father, and Shareer goes to a new local mosque with his mother and helps get it ready for opening. Zohra realizes early on what the two are up to, and helps out when they are almost discovered. Shareer has some difficult hockey practices, and Ashar has to get to know a lot of extended family, but they are glad to be together after so many years. When Shareer's father decides to apply for another job far away, the boys decide they must do something. Will they be able to bring their mother and father together long enough to insure that they can stay together even if their parents are apart?
Strengths: Don't all middle school students secretly wish they had a twin? I know I did. And the twins I knew in school definitely switched places from time to time! Shareer and Ashar are similar enough to get along, but their lives have been very different. This makes for a fun and engaging plot that scaffolds a humorous story while also delivering helpful lessons about family and life choices. Middle grade readers also like to investigate personal identity, so it's fun to see Saheer embrace interior design, and to see Ashar struggle with how important hockey is to him. Aside from the well paced plot, I enjoyed the well developed characters. Zohra was an essential helper when the boys traded places, Dada was wiser than the boys expected, and even the mother and father were interestingly drawn. It was painful to read about the parents fighting when they meet up again, but also unfortunately realistic. This is a great book to hand to readers who enjoyed Pancholy's The Best At It, Burke's An Occasionally Happy Family, and Burt's The Right Hook of Devin Velma.
Weaknesses: As an adult, I found it almost impossible to believe that both parents managed to successfully keep the boys in the dark, especially since there were other relatives around, but young readers will have no trouble believing this. I was also bemused by the depiction of the 64 year old grandfather as old and somewhat frail. 64 is pretty young to have a middle school aged grandchild, and most people don't start to slow down until at least their 70s. I was surprised that Dada didn't still have a job! (Again, young readers are not going to see this.)
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, since this was an amusing realistic book with some great cultural connections to Pakistani Muslim family life. Readers who enjoyed Khan's Zayd Saleem when they were younger will love this one, especially with the little bit of hockey playing.
Shareer Atique lives with his father, a doctor, and his grandfather, whom he calls Dada. His father changes jobs a lot, so the men live in nondescript apartments, and Shareer is not thrilled to have to start a new school in northern Virginia. He never knew his mother, since his parents divorced when he was very young, and his father refuses to talk about her. Ashar Malik is very interested in playing hockey, and is studying to take an entrance exam to a private high school with a really good hockey team. Money is tight, so he hopes he can get a scholarship. He and his mother, a high school math teacher, have recently gotten their own town house after years of living with his uncle's family. His cousin, Zohra, is a bit irritated with him because she misses having him nearby. His mother refuses to talk about his father. When Shareer starts at his new school, he is immediately mistaken for Ashar, and when the two meet, they are shocked to see how identical they are. After some discussion, they realize that they are twins, and try to figure out the best way to tell their families. Because they are 8th grade boys, they decide the best plan of action is to pretend to be the other person, and spend time with their counterpart's family that way. Ashar enjoys going on walks with his grandfather, and goes on a lot of errands and outings with his father, and Shareer goes to a new local mosque with his mother and helps get it ready for opening. Zohra realizes early on what the two are up to, and helps out when they are almost discovered. Shareer has some difficult hockey practices, and Ashar has to get to know a lot of extended family, but they are glad to be together after so many years. When Shareer's father decides to apply for another job far away, the boys decide they must do something. Will they be able to bring their mother and father together long enough to insure that they can stay together even if their parents are apart?
Strengths: Don't all middle school students secretly wish they had a twin? I know I did. And the twins I knew in school definitely switched places from time to time! Shareer and Ashar are similar enough to get along, but their lives have been very different. This makes for a fun and engaging plot that scaffolds a humorous story while also delivering helpful lessons about family and life choices. Middle grade readers also like to investigate personal identity, so it's fun to see Saheer embrace interior design, and to see Ashar struggle with how important hockey is to him. Aside from the well paced plot, I enjoyed the well developed characters. Zohra was an essential helper when the boys traded places, Dada was wiser than the boys expected, and even the mother and father were interestingly drawn. It was painful to read about the parents fighting when they meet up again, but also unfortunately realistic. This is a great book to hand to readers who enjoyed Pancholy's The Best At It, Burke's An Occasionally Happy Family, and Burt's The Right Hook of Devin Velma.
Weaknesses: As an adult, I found it almost impossible to believe that both parents managed to successfully keep the boys in the dark, especially since there were other relatives around, but young readers will have no trouble believing this. I was also bemused by the depiction of the 64 year old grandfather as old and somewhat frail. 64 is pretty young to have a middle school aged grandchild, and most people don't start to slow down until at least their 70s. I was surprised that Dada didn't still have a job! (Again, young readers are not going to see this.)
What I really think: Definitely purchasing, since this was an amusing realistic book with some great cultural connections to Pakistani Muslim family life. Readers who enjoyed Khan's Zayd Saleem when they were younger will love this one, especially with the little bit of hockey playing.
April 1, 2023
The Parent Trap is a movie I've always liked, and rewatched plenty of times (I've even seen the old one from 1961). While this book doesn't have any of the hijinks those twins got up to, it has a lot of heart. I really liked that the focus wasn't on bringing the divorced parents back together, but instead on the two brothers. They have very distinct personalities, and both of them grow over the course of the story. Ashar learns that he needs to think of other people instead of always making decisions based on what is good for him, and Shaheer allows himself to finally be honest with his father, and talk about what he wants. I do wish there had been more time for Ashar and Shaheer to really get to know each other. The interactions they have are very focused on the switching, and not necessarily on developing a bond as brothers, until much later in the book.
The Muslim representation was really good. Even though the parents themselves don't seem to be very religious, they both encourage their kids to involve themselves with the local mosque and the Muslim community, which I appreciated seeing. There were casual mentions of getting up to pray and eating halal food, and it all felt very natural.
One thing I will mention is that some of the references are very US-specific, and readers from outside the US might have trouble understanding them. For example, Ashar refers to an FLE class, and it took some extra Googling to figure out that this means Family Life Education.
The Muslim representation was really good. Even though the parents themselves don't seem to be very religious, they both encourage their kids to involve themselves with the local mosque and the Muslim community, which I appreciated seeing. There were casual mentions of getting up to pray and eating halal food, and it all felt very natural.
One thing I will mention is that some of the references are very US-specific, and readers from outside the US might have trouble understanding them. For example, Ashar refers to an FLE class, and it took some extra Googling to figure out that this means Family Life Education.
May 8, 2023
8/10 — A Muslim/Pakastani version of the Parent Trap
Last year I read Maleeha Siddiqui’s book Barakah Beats and my main thought was, “This book is great I just wish she didn’t mix Quran and music” but I still had hope for her future books. I was right keep a lookout because Siddiqui is a very talented author.
You know that a book is very entertaining and great when it’s not for your age group yet you throughly enjoyed it. This middle-grade novel had two awesome lead characters who were well developed, both Shaheer and Ashar’s points of view were entertaining and fun to read.
It’s great to see some book content with male Muslim leads. Unlike Barakah Beats, I feel like there are less gripes I had with the Islamic parts, Alhamdulilah. The boys both had their own journeys with how they practised Islam and it was done amazingly. Not as much boy-girl mixing as the previous books (Zohra their cousin hangs out with them a lot though but they’re still pretty young).
All in all, a great and fun bookish experience; a perfect book to have on your shelf. Don’t feel shy to read this if you’re older— you’ll enjoy it nonetheless. I really hope Siddiqui starts writing YA. I’ll continue keeping a lookout for her other novels.
Last year I read Maleeha Siddiqui’s book Barakah Beats and my main thought was, “This book is great I just wish she didn’t mix Quran and music” but I still had hope for her future books. I was right keep a lookout because Siddiqui is a very talented author.
You know that a book is very entertaining and great when it’s not for your age group yet you throughly enjoyed it. This middle-grade novel had two awesome lead characters who were well developed, both Shaheer and Ashar’s points of view were entertaining and fun to read.
It’s great to see some book content with male Muslim leads. Unlike Barakah Beats, I feel like there are less gripes I had with the Islamic parts, Alhamdulilah. The boys both had their own journeys with how they practised Islam and it was done amazingly. Not as much boy-girl mixing as the previous books (Zohra their cousin hangs out with them a lot though but they’re still pretty young).
All in all, a great and fun bookish experience; a perfect book to have on your shelf. Don’t feel shy to read this if you’re older— you’ll enjoy it nonetheless. I really hope Siddiqui starts writing YA. I’ll continue keeping a lookout for her other novels.
April 4, 2023
Ashar and Shaheer are nothing alike. Ashar is an ice hockey star, desperate to get into the local school with the best team, as a stepping stone to the NHL. Problem is, he's not the best student, and his mom can't afford both new skates for his growing feet, and a tutoring course so he can ace the entrance exam. But other than that, he's got friends and family at the ready, he's got strong ties to his religion, and he's extroverted and cheerful and happy with his life. Shaheer has been moving around and around with his father and grandfather his whole life, every time his doctor-father gets the itch to move. Shaheer desperately wants a real home, but he's given up on that idea, which means giving up on trying to make friends at every new school or keeping up any ties to his religion. His only real passion is watching the Property Brothers on HGTV. But at the latest new school, he runs into Ashar, and for both boys it's like looking into a mirror. It doesn't take a lot of detective work by Ashar's cousin Zora to figure out that the boys are identical twins, split up when their parents divorced. Shaheer is willing to let it go, because why would he want to get to know a mother who abandoned him, but Ashar is insistent on trading places so he can get to know Dad. Grudgingly, Shaheer agrees. Do things go as planned? Of course not!
I enjoyed this take on "Parent Trap" with a Muslim family. The world was well-built, and I enjoyed all the details of the rink and the masjid, but the real focus of this is the characters. The twins are really different, as is their cousin, and they are all believable--including the feuding parents who really should have tried a little harder to stay in touch with their kids. I did think that there were some opportunities lost here, because there were so few issues with the switching except that Shaheer stunk at hockey; why did that only come up once, when he subbed for Ashar multiple times? Did he get better? I thought there were more opportunities for drama there. I also thought Ashar's friends would be less clueless--it was hinted they might be, but that also could have been more developed. Overall, though, I can see a lot of kids really liking this one.
I enjoyed this take on "Parent Trap" with a Muslim family. The world was well-built, and I enjoyed all the details of the rink and the masjid, but the real focus of this is the characters. The twins are really different, as is their cousin, and they are all believable--including the feuding parents who really should have tried a little harder to stay in touch with their kids. I did think that there were some opportunities lost here, because there were so few issues with the switching except that Shaheer stunk at hockey; why did that only come up once, when he subbed for Ashar multiple times? Did he get better? I thought there were more opportunities for drama there. I also thought Ashar's friends would be less clueless--it was hinted they might be, but that also could have been more developed. Overall, though, I can see a lot of kids really liking this one.
January 5, 2025
I thought that BHAI FOR NOW was a fun read that would definitely be thoroughly enjoyed by any middle school child that would have loved seeing THE PARENT TRAP from a boy's perspective.
One of the things I really liked about this book was the exploration of culture and how both boys were brought up differently in regards to their culture. It was nice seeing them both have that opportunity to learn more about who they were through each other.I especially liked how one of the brothers was able to discover a part of himself during these moments of growth.
The dynamic between the two brothers was great--both in the sibling way, but also in the "I don't really know you" way. The author did a good job in balancing those things out. Watching their relationship grow and shift was fun because at one point I thought, "Wow, they're really acting like brothers now."
One of the things I wasn't a big fan of was how quick the pacing was. Everything happened so quickly that it was almost unbelievable that these two could form such a connection in such a short amount of time. I think this type of pacing was something that reminded me how young the characters were.
Another thing were the parents themselves. These two were incredibly immature--to the point where the mom says something to her kid that really made me angry: "You're a kid, so you won't understand." Seriously, what is it with parents patronizing their children just because they're kids? Kids are smarter than people think. It's one of the things I dislike about this age category and I've seen this kind of parent in a lot of middle grade novels. It also worries me because kids will read that and assume that that is the correct mentality to have. But I know this is the consequence of having an adult write a book geared towards kids.
Overall, the story was fun, not wholly original, and great if you want something quick and interesting. If you like books that explore other cultures and their religions, and complex familial relationships (in middle grade), then this might be the book for you!
Happy reading!
One of the things I really liked about this book was the exploration of culture and how both boys were brought up differently in regards to their culture. It was nice seeing them both have that opportunity to learn more about who they were through each other.I especially liked how one of the brothers was able to discover a part of himself during these moments of growth.
The dynamic between the two brothers was great--both in the sibling way, but also in the "I don't really know you" way. The author did a good job in balancing those things out. Watching their relationship grow and shift was fun because at one point I thought, "Wow, they're really acting like brothers now."
One of the things I wasn't a big fan of was how quick the pacing was. Everything happened so quickly that it was almost unbelievable that these two could form such a connection in such a short amount of time. I think this type of pacing was something that reminded me how young the characters were.
Another thing were the parents themselves. These two were incredibly immature--to the point where the mom says something to her kid that really made me angry: "You're a kid, so you won't understand." Seriously, what is it with parents patronizing their children just because they're kids? Kids are smarter than people think. It's one of the things I dislike about this age category and I've seen this kind of parent in a lot of middle grade novels. It also worries me because kids will read that and assume that that is the correct mentality to have. But I know this is the consequence of having an adult write a book geared towards kids.
Overall, the story was fun, not wholly original, and great if you want something quick and interesting. If you like books that explore other cultures and their religions, and complex familial relationships (in middle grade), then this might be the book for you!
Happy reading!
June 17, 2022
When you have a twin brother and you meet him one casual day, a complete stranger, different personality can truly happen because of Dua. Get ready to laugh and wipe away some tears.
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Bhai for now written by @malsidink and published by @scholasticcda releasing soon. Preorder your copy now.
Note: Mentions of flute, concert, songs, jinn, Pakistani drama, Girlfriend etc.
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Ashar and Shaheer, twins by birth and separated at a young age, never knew till the age of 12 when they met each other and took some time to accept this reality, later work on it.
Parents aren't perfect yet they want us to be the best and are always there to encourage and support us.
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Having different personalities and religious beliefs can sometimes to Divorce but it does affect children. But it's never too late to fix your mistakes, and come back to good terms at least for your kids because it's not their fault after all that they were born in such circumstances where their birth became one major reason for divorce.
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Where I loved seeing both brothers working on themselves to learn each other's personalities, interests, families, relatives with the help of Zohra their cousin, I also appreciate the struggle of their parents at the end to create soft corner for their missing child.
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Halal food, praying Jummah in masjid, reading Quran and doing volunteer work at the masjid with lots of Urdu words made this novel home for me. I'm sure this book can help youth due to increased divorce rate during covid.
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Though mom is shown religious but there isn't any mention of hijab in it.
Author's note is worth reading at the end and I'm Glad that she made with so many obstacles in her way. Yes, it's not easy to write down the 2nd book after your 1st one.
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I will suggest using Abu instead of Dad, because Dad and Dada look same, I mixed them a lot.
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Amazing summer read.
.
Bhai for now written by @malsidink and published by @scholasticcda releasing soon. Preorder your copy now.
Note: Mentions of flute, concert, songs, jinn, Pakistani drama, Girlfriend etc.
.
Ashar and Shaheer, twins by birth and separated at a young age, never knew till the age of 12 when they met each other and took some time to accept this reality, later work on it.
Parents aren't perfect yet they want us to be the best and are always there to encourage and support us.
.
Having different personalities and religious beliefs can sometimes to Divorce but it does affect children. But it's never too late to fix your mistakes, and come back to good terms at least for your kids because it's not their fault after all that they were born in such circumstances where their birth became one major reason for divorce.
.
Where I loved seeing both brothers working on themselves to learn each other's personalities, interests, families, relatives with the help of Zohra their cousin, I also appreciate the struggle of their parents at the end to create soft corner for their missing child.
.
Halal food, praying Jummah in masjid, reading Quran and doing volunteer work at the masjid with lots of Urdu words made this novel home for me. I'm sure this book can help youth due to increased divorce rate during covid.
.
Though mom is shown religious but there isn't any mention of hijab in it.
Author's note is worth reading at the end and I'm Glad that she made with so many obstacles in her way. Yes, it's not easy to write down the 2nd book after your 1st one.
.
I will suggest using Abu instead of Dad, because Dad and Dada look same, I mixed them a lot.
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Amazing summer read.
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