Rockstar Book Tours presents... DRAWING DEENA by Hena Khan - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

I am thrilled to be hosting a kickoff spot on the DRAWING DEENA by Hena Khan Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review post, make sure to enter the giveaway, and be sure to visit the other sites participating as the tour continues for more bookish fun!

 

Title: DRAWING DEENA

Author: Hena Khan

Pub. Date: February 6, 2024

Publisher: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 240

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/DRAWING-DEENA

From the award-winning author of Amina’s Voice and Amina’s Song comes a tenderhearted middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American artist determined to manage her anxiety and forge her own creative path.

Deena’s never given a name to the familiar knot in her stomach that appears when her parents argue about money, when it’s time to go to school, or when she struggles to find the right words. She manages to make it through each day with the help of her friends and the art she loves to make.

While her parents’ money troubles cause more and more stress, Deena wonders if she can use her artistic talents to ease their burden. She creates a logo and social media account to promote her mom’s home-based business selling clothes from Pakistan to the local community. With her cousin and friends modeling the outfits and lending their social media know-how, business picks up.

But the success and attention make Deena’s cousin and best friend, Parisa, start to act funny. Suddenly Deena’s latest creative outlet becomes another thing that makes her feel nauseated and unsure of herself. After Deena reaches a breaking point, both she and her mother learn the importance of asking for help and that, with the right support, Deena can create something truly beautiful.

 

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My thoughts...

Deena was such a special young lady. She was trying to get through the hardship that can be middle school, find herself, discover her future, and manage her home life unknowingly to her parents. Curious about that last part? It's a common struggle taken on by many young hearts while the parental units don't quite realize their burdens are being shouldered inadvertently elsewhere when the discussions turn to raised voices, the concerns turn to worries, and the hesitations turn into missed chances. We're talking about that thing that makes the world go round... money. 

In family units, it's generally the adults responsible for the procurement of and continual monitoring of the finances, but sensitive hearts, and open ears can take in much leading to shared worries, and sometimes those intrusive thoughts can magnify themselves into physical reactions and anxiety. Deena was a superstar in trying to help others, and keep the peace, but it took some severe interruptions to her life to get her to realize she can't shoulder the world’s cares, or even her family's, all by her self. Watching things spiral broke my heart, but seeing the outreach take effect, and the results of accepted helping hands, was heartwarming. When the problem was acknowledged, change happened, in all aspects if their lives, and very much for the better. 

This is a great story filled with heart that puts a voice to feelings and situations that younger readers may not understand, but gives them a way to reach out for the help they need, the assistance they deserve. Deena was a talented young girl with so much promise, and surrounded by so much love, that when the time came for the focus to be on her, for better or worse, her audience was more than willing to share the worries as well as the joys to get back to a place of harmony. 

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About the author...

Hena Khan is a Pakistani American writer. She is the author of the middle grade novels Amina’s Voice, Amina’s Song, More to the Story, and the Zara’s Rules series and picture books Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, Under My Hijab, and It’s Ramadan, Curious George, among others. Hena lives in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland, with her family. You can learn more about Hena and her books by visiting her website at HenaKhan.com or connecting with her @HenaKhanBooks.

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of DRAWING DEENA, US Only.

Ends February 6th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/22/2024	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
1/22/2024	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
1/23/2024	Little Red Reads	Excerpt/IG Post
1/23/2024	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
1/24/2024	Kountry Girl Bookaholic	Excerpt/IG Post
1/24/2024	@darkfantasyreviews	IG Post
1/25/2024	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
1/25/2024	Callisto’s calling	IG Review
1/26/2024	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
1/26/2024	AJ Johnson	IG Review

Week Two:

1/29/2024	@enthuse_reader	IG Review/TikTok Post
1/29/2024	@paperwitches	Review/IG Post
1/30/2024	The Guild	Review
1/30/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
1/31/2024	@anitralovesbooksanddogs	IG Review
1/31/2024	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
2/1/2024	@dharashahauthor	IG Review/TikTok Post
2/1/2024	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
2/2/2024	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
2/2/2024	@froggyreadteach	IG Review