6 Summer Reads to Make Your Heart Smile

Mir Faraz, Year 7, Community Coordinator

Greetings everyone, my name if Mir Faraz. I study in Year 7 and I’m currently the Community Coordinator for my year group. As we begin the summer holidays, I look forward to all the time I will have to explore new books, exotic lands, and intriguing characters, I’ve loved books ever since I remember, and believe that nothing enlightens the mind the way reading does. Books hold the potential to shape our thoughts and values. In this article I’ve shared some books, which I believe will definitely leave an impression on the minds of readers. Though these are books are meant for younger readers, say 12 and under, take my word that older readers will love them just the same for the inspiring worlds they hold within their pages.

My Little World by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai

My Little World is the latest writing venture by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who is a prolific writer. Released during the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2021, this set of 5 books is a must have for any young booklover. His Highness has a very unique style of storytelling, a brilliant way of connecting with the readers which makes them feel as if they are being talked to. Each book of My Little World is centered around a particular subject or incident from His Highness’s childhood which left a lasting influence on his mind and shaped his values. The books have engaging storytelling with keen observations about human relationships. The absolutely stunning illustrations make the stories come to life. My Little World is one for the bookshelf for sure- remember, each word in My Little World is that of one of the most inspiring leaders the world has ever known- revisit them whenever you are looking for motivation.

Amina's Voice by Hena Khan

Amina’s Voice, written by Hena Khan, is a compelling, thought-provoking journey of a young girl who must win the battle within her own mind, face her fears, find her voice, and learn how to use it. Amina, the titular character and protagonist, lives with her parents in an American town called Milwaukee. She is musically gifted and has a beautiful singing voice. But she is too afraid to use it in front of others. With the exception of her family and two best friends, no one knows that Amina sings like an angel. Amina remains sidelined in her school and her fears to let her voice be heard results in many a missed opportunity. On one hand, Amina’s Voice chronicles the journey of a young girl striving to find courage within her own heart, on the other hand, interwoven within the storyline, is the theme of diversityof different cultures, nationalities and ideologies coming together. Amina’s Voice teaches us unforgettable lessons of self-acceptance, courage, giving others and ourselves second chances and above all, to always believe that there is something better waiting for us if only we persevere.

The Parent Agency by David Baddiel

9 years old Barry loves James Bond and football, and with the same fervour, resents his twin sisters, who he feels are favoured over him by his parents. To add to his chagrin, he feels that his parents aren’t cool enough and wishes that he had better parents. He even makes a list of all the things that his parents are not- fit, rich, famous, and lenient, to name a few. In a twist of events, Barry finds himself at a “parent agency” where he gets to choose his parents! He is given 5 sets of parents whom he gets to “trial” for a day each before deciding who he wants to be with for the rest of his life. What follows is a comedy of errors – prospective parents, each eccentric in their own ways, try to convince Barry why he should choose them as his forever parents. This book will make you laugh out aloud and you would not want to put it down. Barry’s encounters with each set of parents are downright hilarious. The book also has a very heart touching message at the end- for that you have to pick up a copy of The Parent Agency. You won’t regret it, that’s a promise.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Some real life stories are grander and more profoundly inspiring than any fictional tale could ever be. Such is the story of William Kamkwamba, who at the age of fourteen, saved his village from falling into utter doom. Kamkwamba was only fourteen years old when his village in Malawi was hit by a debilitating drought. As the crops started withering away, so did the hope for any salvation for the villagers who were largely dependent on their agricultural produce. Lack of funds compelled many children, including Kamkwamba, to miss school. The young boy spent his days in the library reading books in the hope of finding a way to bring electricity to his village. With his innovative skills and ingenuity he built a windmill out of scraps and became “the boy who harnessed the wind”. This book is a tribute to human resilience, grit and perseverance. Add it to your mustread list to fortify your belief that heroes don’t really wear capes- they walk amidst us, they are within us.

“The boy's an absolute menace”

“He's a bully. A lost cause!”

“Why can't he be more like his sister?”

So starts the award winning book The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q. Rauf, who is an Emirates Airline Festival of Literature author. The opening lines explicitly give away the domain of the bookthis is clearly the story of a bully. But so are hundreds of other books. What makes The Night Bus Hero different? Simple, it’s the treatment and perspective. This book has been written from the point of view of the bully himself- it’s a journey through the mind of a young boy named Hector who could not care less about the feelings of others and constantly troubles his classmates and treats a homeless man with utter lack of consideration or respect. But something happens which makes him take a hard look at his behavior. He realizes that all that his identity has been reduced to is that of an insensitive bully. This realization makes him want to change and make everyone believe that he has the potential to be a hero. A heartwarming story that gives the message that empathy and compassion have the potential to change people for better.

Plastic Sucks! You Can Make A Difference by Dougie Poynter

The plastic overload that the planet is facing needs to be addressed with a relentless urgency. And how do you become a part of the solution? By understanding the problem! Right from the evolution of plastics to its modern day overuse and what we can do as individuals to alleviate the problem- it's all there in this one amazing book! For any readers who might hesitate in picking up the book thinking that it might be too boring or factual, here’s the deal- the book has been written in such an easy-to-comprehend manner that it piques one’s interest immediately. There are lots of interesting illustrations and fun facts in the book which ensure that the book does not become a tedious read. Pick up this book and gain an expert level of understanding of the global plastic crisis. Above all, this book leaves you with a sense of responsibility as well as the belief that YOU can make a difference.