Farah Rocks Fifth Grade - by Susan Muaddi Darraj

About the Book

Fifth-grader Farah Hajjar and her best friend Allie Liu are hoping to go to the Magnet Academy for their middle school years, instead of Harbortown Elementary/Middle School; but when a new girl Dana Denver starts tormenting Farah and her younger brother, Samir, she decides she can not leave Samir to face the bully alone, especially since the adults and even Allie do not seem to be taking the matter seriously--so Farah comes up with a plan, one which involves lying to those closest to her.

Book Synopsis

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?

Review Quotes

A children's book about standing up to bullying compounded with the struggles of fitting into fifth-grade by Baltimore-based Susan Muaddi Darraj and Ruaida Mannaa.--John-John Williams IV "The Baltimore Sun, "Beach Guide""

Darraj writes a strong character who must take on a lot as a fifth grader. Intimate cultural details--Farah's dad says "bancakes" because "in Arabic, the letters p and v don't exist"; the family has the surname Hajjar due to their Jerusalem stonecutter origins--add to the authenticity of the portrayal of the family's Palestinian ethnicity. . . .Readers will be eager for this empathetic protagonist's next appearance.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Farah Rocks is a 4-book early reader chapter book series published by Capstone Books. Farah Hajjar, known as Farah Rocks to her friends, is a smart, funny, and brave Palestinian-American girl. She loves her little brother Samir, Greek mythology, and--yes--her rock collection! Farah faces all of life's challenges: bullies, school drama, and even problems with her best friend.--Hannah Moushabeck "We Need Diverse Books, "12 Children's and YA Books by Palestinian Authors""

This fun series of chapter books by award-winning writer Susan Muaddi Darraj is for readers aged 8-12. The books follows Farah Hajjar, known to her friends as "Farah Rocks", for the literal translation of her last name. Farah is a smart, courageous Palestinian-American girl who faces common issues like bullies, fights with her best friend, and school anxiety, while also honouring her Palestinian identity - there's even a hummus recipe at the end. This is a four-book series, and readers can find Farah in Farah Rocks Fifth Grade (2020), Farah Rocks Summer Break (2020), Farah Rocks New Beginnings (2021), and one more forthcoming Farah book from Capstone Publishing.--M. Lynx Qualey "Middle East Eye, "17 new books by Palestinian writers that are worth reading""

In her children's book debut, Darraj introduces a sympathetic Arab American protagonist who will help fill a glaring hole in representation. . . .While the bullying story line presents a much gentler experience than the real world might offer, this work is more concerned with modeling good behavior than depicting brutal harassment. A useful window for early chapter book readers and a precious mirror for Arab American kids.-- "Booklist"

STARRED REVIEW! Darraj shines a light on sibling relationships, and the malicious, repetitive behaviors of bullies that often go unchecked. Farah is a well-rounded character with ambitions and struggles; readers will identify with her challenges and root for her to succeed. A first purchase for upper elementary readers.-- "School Library Journal"