Marya Khan and the Fabulous Jasmine Garden

Marya Khan #2

by Saadia Faruqi, Ani Bushry (Illustrator)

Marya Khan and the Fabulous Jasmine Garden continues Saadia Faruqi and Ani Bushry’s illustrated chapter book series about an ambitious Pakistani American third grader determined to prove herself—a perfect series for fans of Ivy & Bean and Dory Fantasmagory .

Marya is super excited that her school is creating a community garden to be cared for by the students. Not only will her third-grade class be the first to work on it but also Marya’s mom will be teaching the students all about gardening. Most importantly, one student will be chosen to lead the charge. Marya REALLY wants to be the class leader . . . but so does Alexa, her worst enemy.

Cue Operation Be a Leader! Marya plans to work hard to prove she can be in charge, but nothing she does seems to make a difference. Birds keep destroying the plants, and none of Marya’s classmates want to listen to her. Can Marya bring everyone together and make the most beautiful, fabulous garden the school has ever seen?

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, School

144 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2023

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

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I could understand when the main character Marya was so incredibly insecure in the first book as she didn’t get much to interact with her supposed rival Alexa. However, even after knowing how Alexa really is (nice and she cannot help it if her parents are extravagant) she’s still so insecure the entire time and in a very unhealthy competitive behaviour in most parts of the book.

But still I can understand why and how her character has been built and I know that this kind of complex behaviour is somehow dealt with rather unsatisfactorily in most young reader books like they can be fixed in a jiffy. I really appreciate how the author keeps the characters (both main and side young characters as well as the adult characters) quite realistic in their portrayal as well as their dialogue deliveries.

Well done!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I got very excited about the garden at the school and forgot that Marya is eight. The levels of friend drama and the family interactions are a bit young for middle school readers, but I would definitely buy this series for an elementary school.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enjoyable 144 page early chapter book is the second in the series, but can be read as a standalone as well. I enjoyed the mix of Pakistani American representation in an unapologetic way and the inclusion of salam and hijab regularly woven in. I personally was thrilled to see the young protagonist sketching the Shalimar Gardens. As a child my mother made me research Shah Jahan's gardens before visiting in Lahore, and then made my brother and I sketch the plant layouts from different angles in the hot summer heat while confused gardeners looked on. I know the book is meant for early elementary readers, but it seemed like it could have dug a little deeper at points to be more than just another mildly whiney girl story, thinking: Junie B. Jones, Clementine, Amber Brown, etc.. Some gardening tidbits, cultural foods, and snark was included, but the back and forth tolerance between Marya and Alexa was more enjoyable in the first book, same with the sibling banter. I also felt there were a few tangents that didn't add much to the story: Dadi's mystery book, the netting to keep the plants safe that was there and then not, the birdhouse, but I am clearly an adult reading a children's book, so I doubt any kids will mind. I just wish at the end of the book readers might have subtly learned a little about gardening, been inspired to plant something of their own, been curious to smell jasmine in real life, or look up pictures of Shalimar Gardens, my target aged children were not. I had to ask them about it specifically and guide the interest, and I hope adults that share this book will do the same.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's fiction, early chapter book. Marya's school is creating a community garden and asking for student input on the design. Marya really wants her design to win, and for her to be the leader of the project. But her worst enemy, Alexa, has the same goal. With her mom owning a flower shop, Marya feels like she has the knowledge and connections needed for the job. Can Marya and Alexa put aside their differences for the good of the garden?

I love to read children's books about gardening, so it was exciting to find a first chapter book with that theme. I appreciated how this book had the class, the school, and the family all working together. It was a great example of what community should be. It was also an example of a real-world project-- they planned the garden, researched what the plants needed, and worked together to bring it to fruition. Includes small black-and-white illustrations periodically, along with full page chapter breaks to support the early reader. Though this is second in a series, I didn't have any trouble picking it up as a standalone.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marya is the youngest in her family and is often frustrated about not getting a say in things she has to do or what her siblings have to do. At school she has the same issue as one of the students she refers to as her sworn enemy. This student has an amazing wardrobe, a big house, and always does just as well on schoolwork at Marya which really upsets Marya. When the opportunity for a community garden in her school arrives, Marya is certain she will get to be the leader. Marya learns how to be a fair leader, how to cooperate in group work, and how to be humble during this garden project.

Very cute books. I will add this series to my elementary library.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Marya's first outing. This second one, not so much. I found Marya's ongoing stubbornness as Alexa obviously was trying to build a friendship frustrating. Even at the end, she starts to admit that maybe Alexa isn't her archenemy, but her attitude towards the garden is still selfish. Perhaps realistic, but not necessarily satisfying. Still, those readers who liked the first in the series will want to read this - and then join me in hoping for a more engaging third book.

Review based on an eARC received through Edelweiss+.

[Devin Redmond]

I love Saadia Faruqi’s 𝘠𝘢𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘯 books. She has also written the 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘢 𝘒𝘩𝘢𝘯 series, which is comparable to 𝘐𝘷𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘯 in terms of words per page and the amount of pictures. It features a Pakistani American family. This is the only 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘢 𝘒𝘩𝘢𝘯 book in the series I’ve read, but friends, I didn’t love it.
I didn’t like Marya; I thought she was whiny. I didn’t like her teacher; she was going to send the kids to the principal at any little infraction. I did like the grandma.
I think I need to try another book in the series.
kindergarten +

[Eliza · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Saadia Faruqi, she has written good books like the must love pets series and a thousand questions but this book (no this series) is annoying and repetitive. It is always the same thing,
1. Marya fights with siblings nonstop at home
2. Marya competes with Alyssa on something
3. Marya realizes she was a judgemental jerk at the end but still does the same thing in the next volume.
Marya is a insufferable brat who annoys me so much, Alyssa just tries to be friends with her but she is a competitive jerk

[Shannon (That's So Poe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just so much fun to read! I love Marya and how stubborn and difficult she is, and how she grows a little in each book. This one was focused on the idea of being a leader, what that takes, and how it's not all just about getting to boss other people around with your great ideas. The illustrations are great, and the family dynamics add such heart. I'd very highly recommend this, and can't wait for more books in the series!

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five-star review for this Marya Khan books!
LOVED this one- and as always, the cover, the illustrations, the relatability, the characters- all draw children in to enjoy the wonderful adventures of Marya!

SUCH a great chapter book for early readers- grade 3 especially loves these!

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun installment in the Marya Khan series, perfect for fans of Jo Jo Makoons and Ivy & Bean. This time, an exciting school project has Marya having to compete with her arch-nemesis. But, she realizes maybe her rival isn't as bad as she's making her out to be!

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this with my 7 year old. I loved seeing Pakistani representation. However, it was disappointing how Marya treated Alexa when Alexa was mostly nice. She really didn’t give reason to be an “archenemy” as Marya claimed.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[aazim.epub ✏️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

ARC recieved through Edelweiss Plus.

"Marya Khan and the Fabulous Jasmine Garden" is the second book in the Marya Khan picture book series.

The rivalry between Marya and Alexa hasn't ended. This is a perfect book for children, with adorable illustrations and characters. This book demonstrates the importance of cooperation through a comical story. It also teaches the qualities of a leader.

Alexa and Marya both have a soft spot for each other though they do not want to reveal it. When they came together and led the class, they put together a fabulous garden. That's tolerance. Incredible how such a small story could illustrate so many lessons for children.

[Linda Klinedinst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - it is a very good book.

I highly recommend this book.

I give this book 5/5 Stars

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked this less than the first book. Marya comes across as mean and a bit of a brat whenever Alexa is nice to her.

[Mari]

Kinda like Junie B Jones but not as annoying

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful story with a main character who is very realistic and learns throughout the story.

[Megan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I like the practical, emotional lessons with the lessons about how to properly tend a garden. I thought it was also a great lesson in learning from your mistakes.

[nahes. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5🌟

"Being a leader is more than just bossing everyone around."