As a book reviewer, I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation, and all opinions are always 100% my own.
The day that Saida arrives at her new American school, she seems to have lost all her words. A classmate decides to help her look for them. And what follows is a delightful tale of welcome, hospitality, and friendships across borders.
Saida can speak and read Arabic, but English is new for her. So our unnamed protagonist begins to make connections for her. Her parents explain to her that in Morocco, her words wouldn’t work either. So she decides to have Saida teach her some Arabic words while she teaches Saida some English ones.
The girls learn by repeating words to each other by pointing, writing, and drawing. They share meals. And they become good friends.
I honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough! I raised my children in Morocco and I remember how hard it was sending them to school that first day when they didn’t know anyone or have any words. Now I work with refugees, and I see the same thing from the other side. The Day Saida Arrived is a wonderful, warm book about connections and how, sometimes, friendships that take a little work up front end up being the most rewarding.