Right away the colours in this book add to the mystical story. The pastels are dreamlike as Nayra navigates school and home, turning even more vibrant when she journeys with the shadow djinn, Marjan, to the world of the djinns. Muted colours and darkness overlay the pastels in moments of cruelty, hardship, and hurt. But, when Nayra and Rami finally confront what is happening to their friendship the panels become the brightest they have ever been. Really highlighting the power of love, forgiveness, and solidarity. Nayra and Rami have differing opinions on how to handle the bullies. Rami stays neutral, hides, does not engage with the bullies, allowing them to ridicule her and sometimes hurt her. Whereas, Nayra fights back with her words, with her honesty, with her anger. Because of their differing opinions on what to do in the face of meanness, they begin to drift apart. Rami wants to stay in the background, hiding from the bullies with Nayra, never moving out of the past, whereas Nayra wants more. She wants to finally push back, either by leaving the school or by stopping the bullies from hurting her any longer. Her speaking up for herself attracts other students to her side, and it pushes Rami even further away, as she selfishly wants all of Nayra's time. This book deals heavily with the feeling of being an "outsider." Nayra is one of only two Muslim students in her school and is constantly being bullied because of it. She hates the feeling, she wants to transfer schools, she distances herself from reminders of her otherness (like her friend Rami). Marjan, is also an "outsider," as the only shadow djinn of their world, they have a lower rank and therefore are assigned dish cleaning duty (with no other shadow djinn for company). They are befriended by a very powerful djinn, Zirkouniya, and they become fast friends. Unfortunately, their friendship is tested by an all powerful rock. But it is Marjan's friendship, love, and humility that saves them. Both characters are working through feelings of loss, of misunderstanding from those close to them, of friendship that can at times feel stifling. But, they must be honest, they must confront the ones who bully and belittle them, who want to keep them as only theirs, who do not want to listen to them. It is through honesty that they can finally rid themselves of the feelings of otherness and embrace their true selves. A very moving story. I did think it could have used a bit more explanation throughout, but overall it was a vivid story of finding your place and your people while defeating bigotry and hate. A great story for those in middle grade!
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