yapha's review
4.0
Grown ups always say that they are against bullying, but what happens when they don't believe it is actually occurring. Especially when the bully is sneaky and knows exactly how to hide what she is doing? How can Farah protect herself and her younger brother Samir when nobody believes her. A good read with very realistic issues. Recommended for grades 4 & up.
jennybeastie's review
4.0
Things I really liked -- Farah is an engaging and big-hearted character, who clearly loves her younger brother and wants to look out for him.
She does try to approach adults before taking things into her own hands, but I also like that the message is about trying more than once/ choosing your adults wisely, and about microaggressions. Altogether, a pretty balanced story -- balance in consequences, in compassion, in self-confidence. Love that Farah is invited to come and speak to her teachers afterwards as a group, to point out where things went wrong.
I feel like the bullying girl is a bit too broad strokes. Farah ends up having some sympathy for her (divorce) but she's kind of a throwaway bad guy, who conveniently leaves at the end of the book.
Another cool thing -- Farah refers to herself as an Arab, her family is Arabic speaking, but they attend St. Jude's, an Orthodox church -- I don't think I've seen a character who is of Arab Christian background before.
She does try to approach adults before taking things into her own hands, but I also like that the message is about trying more than once/ choosing your adults wisely, and about microaggressions. Altogether, a pretty balanced story -- balance in consequences, in compassion, in self-confidence. Love that Farah is invited to come and speak to her teachers afterwards as a group, to point out where things went wrong.
I feel like the bullying girl is a bit too broad strokes. Farah ends up having some sympathy for her (divorce) but she's kind of a throwaway bad guy, who conveniently leaves at the end of the book.
Another cool thing -- Farah refers to herself as an Arab, her family is Arabic speaking, but they attend St. Jude's, an Orthodox church -- I don't think I've seen a character who is of Arab Christian background before.
sparkingwonder's review
4.0
Good: Big print but upper elementary middle school plot makes a good choice for ESL students. The names and bits of Arabic are great.
Meh: Another bullying plot with a simple ending. It was fine - just feel like a lot of diversity books are about bullying. Needs covered, but also I've read a lot here.
Bad: A couple characters don't speak standard English and that required a lot of decoding their dialogue. May end up be confusing for ESL.
Overall 3.5 but think this will be a good series as it goes on.
Meh: Another bullying plot with a simple ending. It was fine - just feel like a lot of diversity books are about bullying. Needs covered, but also I've read a lot here.
Bad: A couple characters don't speak standard English and that required a lot of decoding their dialogue. May end up be confusing for ESL.
Overall 3.5 but think this will be a good series as it goes on.
kay_reads_'s review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a quick read and I was consistently impressed with the story. It's depiction of a straight A student who loves her family, but struggles with where she fits in and how to deal with a bully, felt realistic to me.
barberchicago_1129's review
5.0
Loved Farah, her loyalty to her brother, and her recognition that sometimes it’s important to ask for help. The bullying in the story goes on partly because adults don’t notice, and this happens - particularly to students of color - more often than we think. This book is a reminder that adults need to hear kids when they’re reporting a problem.
I hope this book becomes a series! Farah Rocks is out 1/1/20. Thank you, Capstone, for sharing a copy with #bookexpedition.
I hope this book becomes a series! Farah Rocks is out 1/1/20. Thank you, Capstone, for sharing a copy with #bookexpedition.
serinde4books's review
4.0
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. It will be published January 1, 2020
The main character is Farah Hajjar which is Arabic for Rocks. She is in 5th Grade. Her brother Samir is in kindergarten and has some disabilities, he was a preemie baby and that seems to have affected his speech. Allie Liu is Farah’s best friend and is Chinese.
Farah and Allie are applying to attend Magnet Academy, a special public school with a focus on math and science. Both the girls have been in advanced “gifted” classes since 2nd grade. There is a new girl on the bus Dana Denver, she is a transfer student from Texas, and she is really tall. The first time we meet her she is mean to Samir. Dana trips over Samir's feet getting on the bus, then he pulls her hair, I think because it is red and he meant to just stroke it. But this upsets Dana and the feud begins.
I really liked the way this book handled bullying. That it can be a quiet and subtle thing, not overt. I truly felt like it was written from a 9/10/11 year old’s perspective. My son is 10, and in fifth grade, and Farah’s decisions fall right in line with his decision-making patterns. I also liked that the characters had variety, Farah being Arabic, her best friend Chinese. It didn’t make race an issue but it acknowledged that sometimes if we look different than everyone else that we can get made fun of, or have problems related to that. It wasn’t “The Theme” of the book, but it was there as an undertone. I also think the idea that adults don’t take kids seriously or understand when they say something is wrong, is true. Kids get brushed aside, because it’s no big deal, but I liked how this book addressed that and said yes but keep trying, someone will eventually listen if you just give them a chance.
I had my 10-year old son read the book too. As a disclaimer, I bribed him with unlimited tablet time today if he read the book. It took him about an hour to read. I have never seen him read a book so fast.
Son’s Comments: The words sound weird to me when I pronounce them because they speak a different language. It was pretty good there were a lot of simile’s which I liked. The part where she purposely got bad grades was weird, when she wanted to protect her brother from Dana. Dana is going through a divorce. The story itself had a pretty good layout. I didn’t understand Arabic words. He thought Farah was pretty nice to protect Samir. It really stuck with him that Farah kept saying she was Samir’s hero.
He liked that Farah was in fifth grade because he is in fifth grade, and he liked that she stood up for her little brother. He said he would recommend it, it is a good book.
#FarahRocksFifthGrade #NetGalley
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com
The main character is Farah Hajjar which is Arabic for Rocks. She is in 5th Grade. Her brother Samir is in kindergarten and has some disabilities, he was a preemie baby and that seems to have affected his speech. Allie Liu is Farah’s best friend and is Chinese.
Farah and Allie are applying to attend Magnet Academy, a special public school with a focus on math and science. Both the girls have been in advanced “gifted” classes since 2nd grade. There is a new girl on the bus Dana Denver, she is a transfer student from Texas, and she is really tall. The first time we meet her she is mean to Samir. Dana trips over Samir's feet getting on the bus, then he pulls her hair, I think because it is red and he meant to just stroke it. But this upsets Dana and the feud begins.
I really liked the way this book handled bullying. That it can be a quiet and subtle thing, not overt. I truly felt like it was written from a 9/10/11 year old’s perspective. My son is 10, and in fifth grade, and Farah’s decisions fall right in line with his decision-making patterns. I also liked that the characters had variety, Farah being Arabic, her best friend Chinese. It didn’t make race an issue but it acknowledged that sometimes if we look different than everyone else that we can get made fun of, or have problems related to that. It wasn’t “The Theme” of the book, but it was there as an undertone. I also think the idea that adults don’t take kids seriously or understand when they say something is wrong, is true. Kids get brushed aside, because it’s no big deal, but I liked how this book addressed that and said yes but keep trying, someone will eventually listen if you just give them a chance.
I had my 10-year old son read the book too. As a disclaimer, I bribed him with unlimited tablet time today if he read the book. It took him about an hour to read. I have never seen him read a book so fast.
Son’s Comments: The words sound weird to me when I pronounce them because they speak a different language. It was pretty good there were a lot of simile’s which I liked. The part where she purposely got bad grades was weird, when she wanted to protect her brother from Dana. Dana is going through a divorce. The story itself had a pretty good layout. I didn’t understand Arabic words. He thought Farah was pretty nice to protect Samir. It really stuck with him that Farah kept saying she was Samir’s hero.
He liked that Farah was in fifth grade because he is in fifth grade, and he liked that she stood up for her little brother. He said he would recommend it, it is a good book.
#FarahRocksFifthGrade #NetGalley
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com
bookishtrina's review
5.0
Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj was a superb read. It's so appropriate for young readers. My daughter is in 5th grade and she loved it; however, her 3rd-grade sister also liked it. This story teaches why telling the truth is important and that family and friends can help you with any challenges if you just let them. It's right on message with the current climate of the challenges faced by youngsters today.
Synopsis www.amazon.com
Farah and her best friend, Allie Liu, are getting excited to turn in their applications to the Magnet Academy, where they both hope to attend sixth grade. But when new girl Dana Denver shows up, Farah's world is turned upside down. As Dana starts bullying Farah's little brother, Samir, Farah begins to second-guess her choice to leave him behind at Harbortown Elementary/Middle School. Determined to handle it on her own, Farah comes up with a plan--a plan that involves lying to those closest to her. Will her lies catch up with her, or can Farah find a way to defeat the bully and rock fifth grade?
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Synopsis www.amazon.com
Farah and her best friend, Allie Liu, are getting excited to turn in their applications to the Magnet Academy, where they both hope to attend sixth grade. But when new girl Dana Denver shows up, Farah's world is turned upside down. As Dana starts bullying Farah's little brother, Samir, Farah begins to second-guess her choice to leave him behind at Harbortown Elementary/Middle School. Determined to handle it on her own, Farah comes up with a plan--a plan that involves lying to those closest to her. Will her lies catch up with her, or can Farah find a way to defeat the bully and rock fifth grade?
I received an advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
shayemiller's review
4.0
Holy Hummus!! This was a great middle grade story centering around bullying and (lack of) communication with adults. Farah Hajjar (which is Arabic for rocks) is a brilliant 5th grader, very hopeful to be accepted to a local magnet school with her best friend, Allie. However, she’s also fiercely protective of her little brother, Samir. So when the new bus bully begins poking fun at both her and Samir, Farah decides to overhaul her life plans to make sure she’ll be at the same school next year — close to her brother so that he can be safe. This was one of those stories I kept thinking, “Just go tell your parents. Tell a teacher. Go to the office and tell one of the administrators!!” But no. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work out the way you hoped. Sometimes kids sometimes have to learn about communication the hard way. And as we witness in Farah Rocks Fifth Grade, sometimes the adults have to learn the same lesson about communication. With a positive, feel-good ending, this story will pull at the heartstrings. I was very pleased to know there’s a book #2 coming out. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Oh, and don’t miss the back pages where you’ll find Farah’s hummus recipe. I love hummus, so I just HAD to try it out. I like mine a little stronger in taste, so I added a large helping of garlic to mine. But this simple and mild recipe would be a fun way to introduce hummus to young readers who’ve not tried it, yet. NOTE: My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
neuravinci's review
4.0
A cute and cultural middle grade story about Farah Hajjar (rocks), a smart girl who wants nothing more than the best for her family.
READ IF YOU…
* Enjoy multicultural books
* Want a cute, middle grade read
* Want a book about growing up Arab-American
A cute read I wish I had growing up. The book follows Farah Hajjar, or Farah "Rocks" as she is called, because hajjar in Arabic means "rocks." I LOVED how Farah's Palestinian family is portrayed - exactly how my family is. it's a true testament to how growing up in an Arab-American immigrant family is like, and likely similar to growing up in another immigrant groups to the US.
I especially loved how Arabic was interwoven in the writing. It wasn't overt, wasn't confusing, and instead added color and dimension to the story. I enjoyed how Farah's parents' accents weren't ridiculed, but instead, seen as part of the norm and was playfully described. This is the kind of book you want your child, whether they come from an immigrant background or not, to read and be exposed to.
Though the book is middle grade and I zipped through it in likely less than an hour, I plan on reading the other books in the series.
READ IF YOU…
* Enjoy multicultural books
* Want a cute, middle grade read
* Want a book about growing up Arab-American
A cute read I wish I had growing up. The book follows Farah Hajjar, or Farah "Rocks" as she is called, because hajjar in Arabic means "rocks." I LOVED how Farah's Palestinian family is portrayed - exactly how my family is. it's a true testament to how growing up in an Arab-American immigrant family is like, and likely similar to growing up in another immigrant groups to the US.
I especially loved how Arabic was interwoven in the writing. It wasn't overt, wasn't confusing, and instead added color and dimension to the story. I enjoyed how Farah's parents' accents weren't ridiculed, but instead, seen as part of the norm and was playfully described. This is the kind of book you want your child, whether they come from an immigrant background or not, to read and be exposed to.
Though the book is middle grade and I zipped through it in likely less than an hour, I plan on reading the other books in the series.