Zara's Rules for Record-Breaking Fun

 Zara's Rules for Record Breaking Fun

Growing up, I read many books where characters anxiously awaited new neighbors only to find a forever friend with a basket hanging on a rope tied between two windows to pass notes back and forth or walkie talkies to communicate and make plans for an adventure. But we didn't have a lot of turnover in our neighborhood. And one day, the house directly across the street from our sold and we watched anxiously as new neighbors moved in, with three children, one daughter the same age as me, and one just a year younger than my sister. A perfect match. Cathy is one of those forever friends, where our lives are linked through that common bond, I just got to see her and her daughters this past summer when we hosted a reunion at our swim club. Likewise, I've been able to watch the same scenario play out twice with the home next door to ours and witness my own children make forever friends.

All that to say, reading Zara's Rules for Record Breaking Fun brought back that same feeling, that same emotion, through the unique characters that Hena Khan crafted with Zara and her leadership skills, the twins Gloria and Jade who have their own opinions, Zayd who'd love to join in on the fun (but he IS a little brother after all), and the new neighbors, the Goldsteins. Hena Khan's author's note indicates that she was inspired by the adventures of Ramona Quimby and I think Zara's neighborhood crew does an impressive job of updating that Ramona Quimby narrative for a new and more diverse generation. Readers will love to read about Zara and her record-breaking spirit but might also like to create their own neighborhood record book too!

Title: Zara's Rules for Record Breaking Fun

Author: Hena Khan

ISBN: 978-1-5344-9759-7

Published 2022 by Salaam Reads

This book was borrowed from the public library for purposes of review.