BASHIR BOUTROS AND THE JEWEL OF THE NILE

In this duology opener, an 11-year-old Lebanese American boy must travel to other realms and fight monsters and demons as he tries to save his parents—and possibly the world.

Seventh grader Bashir Boutros and his best friend, Farrah, love spending summers in Lebanon with their families, just as they have every year since they were babies. On the day before his return home to Boston, Bashir’s cousin accidentally pushes him into the Mediterranean Sea. He finds a golden ring in the seabed, which awakens a jinn named Yani. On the flight home, Bashir encounters a witch, just one of many monsters who want the ring. Panicked, he discovers that he’s unable to remove the ring; he and Yani are bonded. When Ali Adin, or Aladdin, one of the four Demon Lords, kidnaps Bashir’s parents and demands the ring in return, Bashir joins forces with 12-year-old Alina and high schooler Ziad, members of the Magi, who protect the human realm. They travel through a portal to recruit Farrah’s help. If he’s to rescue his parents, he must learn to harness the power of his aura—but can shy Bashir accomplish his goal while remaining true to his pacifist principles? His action-packed journey contains both a surprise plot twist and real character growth as Bashir’s self-esteem, confidence, kindness, and care for his family, friends, and all living creatures grow stronger.

An effective blend of excitement and strong characterization, with a message of remaining true to one’s values.