Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream: Power Forward; On Point; Bounce Back (Hardcover)
Zayd Saleem has serious hoop dreams. He’s going to be a basketball star. A legend. There are only a few small things in his way.
For starters, Zayd’s on the scrawny side and gets stomach aches when he’s nervous. He has to convince his coach that he has what it takes to join his best friend Adam on the elite Gold Team. His mom and dad want him to practice his violin way more than his jump shot. Plus, it doesn’t help that his older sister Zara is amazing at every sport she tries.
But Zayd has a lot going for him, too. His grandmother is willing to supply him with all the mango milkshakes he wants. His grandfather has a few tricks up the sleeve of his velour track suit. And his favorite uncle keeps Zayd laughing, even if it’s sometimes so hard he needs to pee. Zayd’s family, combined with his friends, teammates, and his own determination, means he’s got everything he needs to chase his dream. Will he reach it?
Sally Wern Comport has illustrated numerous picture books and novels, including Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Guiding Beliefs (as told by his niece); Brave Margaret: An Irish Adventure; Hanging Off Jefferson’s Nose: Growing Up on Mt. Rushmore; and the Spy Mice series. She has also translated her picture making skills to various large-scale public, private, and institutional artworks. Sally lives with her husband and two daughters in Annapolis, Maryland, where she operates Art at Large Inc. Learn more at ArtAtLargeInc.com.
Zayd is a sympathetic protagonist, and his story is told with humor and artfully filled with interesting cultural matter...Readers will cheer for Zayd.
— Kirkus Reviews
Features a welcome diverse main character that will appeal to plenty of sports-loving readers.
— Booklist
Readers will enjoy watching Zayd grow in his game, his maturity, and his changing family life...A solid read about being your best self on and off the court, with an appealing Muslim protagonist.
— Kirkus Reviews
Zayd is a welcome character for young readers, who learns that one can be a team player even when facing personal challenges.
— Booklist
With just enough action to keep readers turning the pages and a sprinkle of age-appropriate realizations throughout, this small book is a great pick for elementary-age readers....A delightful follow-up from a writer who understands children, family, and culture.
— Kirkus Reviews
A great balance between sports action and realistic fiction featuring the everyday life of a boy from a traditional Pakistani
family. Readers will look forward to further adventures featuring Zayd.
— Booklist