Today, we are celebrating two exciting book releases: Connor Kissed Me by Zehava, illustrated by Sarah K. Turner; and When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi!
Connor Kissed Me by Zehava, illustrated by Sarah K. Turner
In this empowering picture book, Miriam navigates her confusion about an unprovoked kiss—finding her voice and using it to assert her personal boundaries.
Praise for Connor Kissed Me:
“The author tactfully makes the points both that letting adults know something unsettling has occurred is important and that it then may be necessary to go to someone else for help as well. . . this book provides children the opportunity to acknowledge [Miriam’s] determination and follow her lead.” — Booklist
“Zehava’s clear narrative helps children and grown-ups alike learn how to respond, developing shared ideas on not just what consent means–but how it looks and what it sounds like. . . . Along with Sarah K. Turner’s illustrations, author Zehava helps grown-ups understand that what may seem like a tiny deal to adults is a gigantic deal to children, and the blueprint provided for responding to those early, often dismissed “me too” moments, is paramount.” — Kass Minor, Educator, Author of Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools
Watch the Connor Kissed Me book trailer, created by illustrator Sarah K. Turner!
Order a copy:
Lee & Low
Indiebound/Bookshop
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Zehava is an author as well as a former editor and bookseller. She and her family make their home in Montreal, Quebec where she is the head librarian at a school. Connor Kissed Me is her debut picture book. Photo credit: Andrea Wahba.
Sarah K. Turner is a picture book and graphic novel artist. Her biggest goals are to spread love, acceptance, and positivity through her work. Sarah currently lives in the greater Seattle Area. You can see more of her art at sarahkturnerart.com.
When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi
In this searing contemporary YA novel from new voice Aamna Qureshi, a Muslim teen runs away from home only to find herself on a breathtaking journey of healing, self-love, and hope. In the vein of Sabaa Tahir’s award-winning All My Rage, the evocative prose of Aamna Qureshi will hook young adult readers.
Praise for When a Brown Girl Flees:
“An emotional journey of redemption, forgiveness, and moving forward that explores themes of friendship, mental health struggles, and finding oneself.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, When A Brown Girl Flees is a poignant story about how finding your community can help you heal and learn to love yourself.”” — Adiba Jaigirdar, author of author of Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating and The Henna Wars
“Beautifully, bravely, and empathetically rendered, When a Brown Girl Flees is a vital addition to the growing Muslim young adult canon.” — Karuna Riazi, author of The Gauntlet and A Bit of Earth
When a Brook Girl Flees is on virtual book tour! Feast your eyes on these gorgeous posts from Colored Pages Book Tours.
Check out the bookstagrammers from these posts:
✨ 📚 @book_rambler
✨ 📚 @cloudedgalaxyreads
✨ 📚 @recsbyrahma
✨ 📚 @lattefairies
✨ 📚 @bonggirlinabookworld
Order a copy:
Lee & Low
Indiebound/Bookshop
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Aamna Qureshi is a Muslim Pakistani American who adores words. She is the award-winning author of the YA fantasy novel The Lady or the Lion. She grew up on Long Island, New York, in a very loud household, surrounded by English (for school), Urdu (for conversation), and Punjabi (for emotion). Much of her childhood was spent being grounded for reading past her bedtime and writing stories in the backs of her notebooks. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel to new places where she can explore different cultures, or to Pakistan where she can revitalize her roots. She also loves baking complicated desserts, drinking fancy teas and coffees, watching sappy rom-coms, and going for walks about the estate (her backyard). She currently lives in New York. Look for her at aamnaqureshi.com.