Barakah Beats By: Maleeha Siddiqui

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grade 5+

Nimra is going into the seventh grade and has always been home-schooled or attended a small Islamic school.  Nimra is both nervous and excited about this new experience and is comforted by the fact that her long time friend, Jenna, goes to the same middle school.  Sadly, middle school is more challenging than Nimra imagined it would be, so when she's invited to join the popular grade eight boys bad, Barakah Beats, she does.  Joining the band improves Nimra's popularity, but the topic of music is a divided one in the Muslim faith and Nimra feels terrible about the secret she is keeping from her parents and her new friends.  As time goes on, Nimra must make the difficult decision to be honest with her friends and family about Barakah Beats.  How will this change her family and friendships?  Read this book about friendships, family, and facing change to find out!