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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
What a lovely and warm little STEM book for newly independent readers! Sadiq and his family are Somali Muslims living in Minnesota. Kids can learn some Somali words, what it's like to go to a planetarium, how to start/fund a club at school, and how to make a DIY telescope in this charming, approachable book. Discussion questions and a glossary are included, as well as some facts about Somalia and a nice clear introductory illustration of all the characters. When I say "We Need Diverse Books", I mean like this one!
Ok, Sadiq, how many clubs can you belong to? Each book in this series he and his friends join or create a new club. While that is good to explore interests, having a character be a part of so many clubs makes it look like he is overscheduling himself; well, it would if there was any chronology to this series.
This book is good, but trying to touch so many subjects it became a bit over pack with content. It goes into astronomy, Islamic/Arabic culture (not so sure how to call it... I hope I don’t offend anyone), relation between father and son, and more. It still easy to read, kind of surprisingly for a book that have some much stuff in it. I like it and would recommend it. Writing skill well done here!
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for providing a review copy.
Sadiq and the Desert Star is an early chapter book about Sadiq, a Somali Muslim American boy. Sadiq's third grade class is taking a trip to the observatory, where he and his classmates decide to start a Space Club and raise money for a telescope. There's not much plot to this book, and setbacks (Sadiq didn't hear the instructions at the observatory! Telescopes are very expensive!) all turn out to be very minor, usually resolving within the next line and before Sadiq could have an emotional response to them. I wish we had gotten a bit more of Sadiq showing an emotion besides enthusiasm, but depth in these length chapter books can be difficult to master. I liked the colorful illustrations, the details we get about Sadiq's large family, and the diversity of his friends. I also like the extras at the end, especially the instructions for making your own telescope. Astronomy is a popular subject right now and I'm actively working to diversify my first chapter book offerings, so I'll certainly pick up the first few in the series for our library.
Sadiq and the Desert Star is an early chapter book about Sadiq, a Somali Muslim American boy. Sadiq's third grade class is taking a trip to the observatory, where he and his classmates decide to start a Space Club and raise money for a telescope. There's not much plot to this book, and setbacks (Sadiq didn't hear the instructions at the observatory! Telescopes are very expensive!) all turn out to be very minor, usually resolving within the next line and before Sadiq could have an emotional response to them. I wish we had gotten a bit more of Sadiq showing an emotion besides enthusiasm, but depth in these length chapter books can be difficult to master. I liked the colorful illustrations, the details we get about Sadiq's large family, and the diversity of his friends. I also like the extras at the end, especially the instructions for making your own telescope. Astronomy is a popular subject right now and I'm actively working to diversify my first chapter book offerings, so I'll certainly pick up the first few in the series for our library.