Strongest Heart

<p><b>A Schneider Family Book Award Honoree From beloved middle grade author Saadia Faruqi comes a poignant exploration of the impact of mental illness on families--and the love and hope that it takes to begin telling a different tale. </b></p><p>Mo is used to his father's fits of rage. When Abbu's moods shake the house Mo is safe inside his head with his cherished folktales: The best way to respond is not to engage. Apparently his mama knows that too--which is why she took a job on the other side of the world leaving Mo alone with Abbu.</p><p>With Mama gone the two move to Texas to live with Mo's aunt and cousin Rayyan. The two boys could not be more different. Rayyan is achievement-driven and factual; Mo is a bad kid. Still there is a lot to like about living in Texas. Sundays at the mosque are better than he'd expected. And Rayyan and his aunt become a real family to Mo.</p><p>But even in a warm home and school where he begins to see a future for himself Mo knows that the monster within his father can break out and destroy their fragile peace at any moment...</p><p><br></p><ul><li><b>Coping with a Parent's Mental Illness: </b> A compassionate and honest look at a father's schizophrenia and the impact it has on his son Mo who must learn to navigate the unpredictability of his dad's monster.</li><li><b>Pakistani-American Characters: </b> A heartfelt middle grade contemporary novel that explores cultural identity from Sundays at the mosque in Houston to the cherished desi folktales that help Mo make sense of his world.</li><li><b>Unlikely Cousins: </b> When Mo the self-proclaimed bad kid moves in with his high-achieving cousin Rayyan the two boys must find common ground and forge a bond that could save them both.</li><li><b>Coping with Anger: </b> Explores how Mo channels his own complicated feelings through boxing contrasting his own struggles with his father's terrifying outbursts in a story full of heart and hope.</li></ul>