A review by helenareadsbooks
Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata

emotional hopeful lighthearted

5.0

Nayra and the Djinn is a delightful middlegrade graphic novel written and illustrated by Iasmin Omar Ata. Nayra is dealing with a lot—pressure from her family to do well in school, classmates bullying her for being Muslim, and a demanding friendship. Nayra is overwhelmed with her life when she meets a mysterious djinn named Marjan asking for help. They make a pact that helps Marjan stay in the human world, and the djinn begins to guide Nayra through her difficult situation. But Marjan is running from their own issues and if they don’t face their past, it could put Nayra in danger. 

 

This is a gorgeous graphic novel about friendship and identity. Nayra and her struggles are relatable, and Marjan was so caring. I enjoyed watching Nayra and Marjan face their problems head on while also forming a friendship of their own. I love that Nayra is such a dork and I think her personality makes the story more joyful. 

 

The book also spotlights Nayra’s friend Rami as well as the student who bullies them. Telling these stories together created a well-rounded and multifaceted story, and it gave me a greater appreciation for Nayra’s story and the overall themes of the book. 

 

The art is so playful and vibrant, it’s fantastic to look at! Just flipping through the pages makes me smile. 

 

I think fans of Séance Tea Party will love this.  If you love stories about the power of friendship, this book is for you :’)