Farida and Stella are best friends forever, and they always enjoy spending time together. However, as they grow and develop into adolescence, Islamophobia comes knocking at their front door.

Farida is Muslim, and kids give her flack for that. Now, as Stella attempts to win the race for class president, students deface her campaign materials and call her a terrorist because her friend is from Iraq. The tension is explosive, to the point that people paint graffiti on the outside of Stella's home. 

It does not help that Stella's brother, Rob, is not doing well. He has recently returned from the war in Afghanistan, and learned that a war buddy killed himself. This nearly causes him to unravel. He is an emotional mess, and needs help from Veterans Affairs soon.

Stella and her folks worry about Rob's future if mental health professionals are not available to avert this crisis. To make matters worse, when Rob encounters a teenager who taunts him at the local mall, Rob breaks his nose in frustration and anger, and criminal charges ensue shortly thereafter. The media is all over the incident, like moths drawn to raging flames. Even the local mayor weighs in on the subject, opining that Rob is sympathetic to the Taliban, a notion far from the truth and discriminatory towards veterans.

Stella is desperate to save her brother's sanity and her friendship with Farida. She continues striving to achieve a political office through which she can work to improve the world. She grapples with the enormity of all the wanton hatred and strife in her local community. She wants to understand the insanity that she is living through. 

Anything But Okay by Sarah Darer Littman, 2018

Sarah Darer Littman is brilliant. I love the culture and religious diversity in this timely work of fiction, a great story of an influential and diverse friendship. 

Sarah Darer Littman's website

Books about the Iraq War

Books about veterans
 

Aurora (Rory) has always been a bit unusual. She tends to tap on things, and fidgets when she gets nervous. She sits by herself at lunch.

The love of her life is Duck, her black, 62-pound dog. He is her constant companion, even sleeping with her. She cannot imagine life without him. 

Then, tragedy strikes. A fire breaks out in the attic of her house, and some belongings are lost. Neither Rory nor her parents are harmed. However, one horrible ramification of the fire is that Duck is nowhere to be found and the firefighters prevent Rory from entering the smoldering building in search of her canine. Rory's mother promises they will look for him in the morning, but this is small consolation for the growing hole in her heart. 

With still no sign of Duck the next morning, Rory is late to school. Luckily, her teacher, Mr. Taylor, says he will not allow one tardy morning to mar her otherwise-perfect attendance record. All the kids are super nice to Rory: Amidst all the commotion of the fire, Rory forgot to pack lunch, leading one kid to offers half a sandwich. A boy named Brian Tucker even gives her his fruit rollup. Aurora soaks up the kindness while it lasts.

Soof by Sarah Weeks, 2018

It's interesting to read about someone who has social challenges but does not have a diagnosed, clinical condition.

Sarah Weeks' website
 

Fort Patrick is the new home of army kids Tom, Charlotte, and Rosie. They have their own adventures and Cupcake, their pooch, always finds a way to insert herself into the fun. Their mother trains spies while their Dad provides advice and commentary on their activities.

Tom strives to find his way in his new school. Unfortunately, Chase, a kid in his class, bullies him relentlessly. This makes the boy's life incredibly challenging. Frequently fighting back tears, Tom struggles to deal with the cruel treatment: Chase not only physically hurts him, but also taunts him, gets him into trouble, and takes humiliating photos of him that he then posts online. 

Charlotte is doing her best to make friends in her new town. She loves socializing with the other girls, and is excited about the possibility of befriending Sophia and Maria, two of the coolest, most popular kids in her grade. The 10-year-old also enjoys going to the beach with her friend, Tash. The biggest, most mortifying experience in her life seems to be fending off unwelcome participation in her excursions by her younger sister.

Rosie is young, curious, and extremely determined to pursue her self-appointed missions. She is proud that she was adopted from China. Her father seems preoccupied with finding friends for her, but her most pressing concern is uncovering the mystery of the missing pooches in her neighborhood. She is very dedicated to Cupcake and wants to find canine friends for her. Rosie's father manages to snag a playmate for her named Victor, a young boy eager to help Rosie with her search and rescue activity.

Army Brats by Daphne Benedis-Grab, 2017

I love this story about three siblings, and I'm very lucky to be part of such a group.

Daphne Benedis-Grab's website

Books about army kids