CALL ME ADNAN

Twelve-year-old Adnan Zakir is looking forward to going to Florida to see cousins and participate in a table-tennis competition when tragedy strikes, changing his family forever.

Adnan lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with Abu, Amma (who is pregnant), 13-year-old sister Aaliyah, and 2-year-old brother Riz. He dreams of playing table tennis professionally or maybe becoming a pilot. When Adnan qualifies for the Ultimate Table Tennis Championship Tournament taking place in Orlando over Eid weekend, his family decides to make it a vacation with extended family. What was supposed to be a fun-filled trip turns tragic when Riz drowns in the pool of their rented house. Adnan blames himself: “If I hadn’t gone to Florida to play table tennis, / Riz would still be here.” But with support and guidance from his parents, friends, and table tennis coach, he starts to accept that he is not at fault. Observing his mother channel her grief into educating others about water safety, Adnan finds the courage to return to what he loves. In this verse novel, Faruqi depicts strong community bonds, seamlessly interweaving Adnan’s Pakistani Muslim identity. The story includes details about the family’s time at the masjid (where Adnan also discovered his love for table tennis), Eid rituals, Riz’s funeral, and more. An author’s note discusses a real-life experience that inspired this story.

An emotional tale of a family’s grief and healing, full of courage and hope.