Call Me Adnan

Reach for this book when your child is navigating the weight of a sudden loss or trying to find their footing after a family tragedy. It is especially resonant for kids who use sports as an emotional outlet but find that their grief makes it hard to focus on the things they once loved. Through the eyes of Adnan, a boy dreaming of a table tennis championship, the story explores how faith and family provide a safety net when the world feels broken. This verse novel follows a Pakistani American family through a devastating transition, balancing the heavy reality of death with the uplifting pursuit of a personal goal. It is perfectly suited for middle grade readers (ages 8 to 12) because it validates their complex feelings without being overly dark. You might choose it to help a child process grief, to provide mirrors for Muslim identity, or simply to show that it is okay to keep pursuing your dreams even while you are hurting.