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Farah Rocks #3
Farah Rocks New Beginnings
Farah Hajjar is just starting sixth grade at the Magnet Academy when something terrible happens—her house burns down. Even worse, the house fire may be her fault. When her family moves to temporary housing, Farah feels the guilt piling up. Luckily Farah finds comfort in writing, and she channels her energy into starting a creative writing club at her new school. But can Farah convince her new science-focused school to support it?
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2021
1 person is currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Susan Muaddi Darraj
37Ìýbooks253ÌýfollowersSusan Muaddi Darraj won the 2016 American Book Award for her novel-in-stories, A Curious Land: Stories from Home.
Her new novel, Behind You Is the Sea (Harper Collins, 2024) is set in Baltimore and follows the stories of a Palestinian American immigrant community.
Her previous short story collection, The Inheritance of Exile, was honored by the U.S. State Department’s Arabic Book Program.
She was named a 2016 USA Ford Fellow, and she has received awards for her writing from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
Her new children's chapter book series, FARAH ROCKS, was published from Capstone Books in January 2020. It is the first children's book series to feature an Arab American protagonist.
A Philadelphia native, she currently lives in Baltimore. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @SusanDarraj.
Her new novel, Behind You Is the Sea (Harper Collins, 2024) is set in Baltimore and follows the stories of a Palestinian American immigrant community.
Her previous short story collection, The Inheritance of Exile, was honored by the U.S. State Department’s Arabic Book Program.
She was named a 2016 USA Ford Fellow, and she has received awards for her writing from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
Her new children's chapter book series, FARAH ROCKS, was published from Capstone Books in January 2020. It is the first children's book series to feature an Arab American protagonist.
A Philadelphia native, she currently lives in Baltimore. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @SusanDarraj.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 9, 2025
I didn’t rate this one as highly because it contradicted information that had been given in the previous books, such as:
- Farah saying that her Mum's car makes a sound every time she turns it on: the Hajjars getting a new secondhand car was a MAJOR plot point in the last book so this made no sense and the family only has one car so how can it be "Mum's car"?
- Farah saying that she didn't want other people's clothes from a clothing drive: in the last book Farah mentioned that most of her clothes come from yard sales so why does she suddenly care about wearing other people's clothes?
- Farah saying that she and Allie have matching Halloween costumes every year: I think it was book one where Farah said that she has to use Halloween costumes for two years in a row to save money AND in book two she said that last Halloween she'd dressed as a farmer with Samir and his friend Ana
- Farah saying that her Mum's car makes a sound every time she turns it on: the Hajjars getting a new secondhand car was a MAJOR plot point in the last book so this made no sense and the family only has one car so how can it be "Mum's car"?
- Farah saying that she didn't want other people's clothes from a clothing drive: in the last book Farah mentioned that most of her clothes come from yard sales so why does she suddenly care about wearing other people's clothes?
- Farah saying that she and Allie have matching Halloween costumes every year: I think it was book one where Farah said that she has to use Halloween costumes for two years in a row to save money AND in book two she said that last Halloween she'd dressed as a farmer with Samir and his friend Ana
February 4, 2021
I received this book as part of Multicultural Children's Book Day ( #ReadYourWorld), and I'm very happy with the choice this year. In this volume of the Farah Rocks series, a sixth grade girl, Farah Hajjar, makes a mistake and must deal with her own guilt while beginning at a new school and navigating the social minefields there. Through this, her family's traditions and Orthodox faith both support her and add to her guilt. Farrah must find her own way of interacting with her community, her family and herself.
This text doesn't shy away from the repercussions of Farah's actions, but neither does it linger on melancholy. I appreciated Farah's inner conflicts and the way she processes her emotions.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Eight years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about its mission & history at .
This text doesn't shy away from the repercussions of Farah's actions, but neither does it linger on melancholy. I appreciated Farah's inner conflicts and the way she processes her emotions.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Eight years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about its mission & history at .
January 29, 2021
I was so happy to be gifted Farah Rocks New Beginnings to review for Multicultural Children’s Book Day.
"FARAH ROCKS New Beginnings" by Susan Muaddi Durraj, illustrations by Ruaida Mannaa, published by Stone Arch Books is a chapter book about a Palestinian American girl, Farah Hajjar who is just beginning sixth grade at Magnet Academy when her house burns down. While she settles into temporary housing with her family and learns the ropes at a new school, Farah is also plagued with a secret. The fire may actually have been her fault.
I loved reading about a science-loving, writer girl from a loving Palestinian American family. The thing I found most refreshing and relatable about Farah is that she battled with guilt and honesty and didn’t solve all of her challenges in a tidy bow.
While not every reader has the chance to attend a school for gifted kids like Farah does, every reader does face issues like guilt and truth.
I also loved the English and Arabic glossaries and the writing prompts at the end of the book. I can totally see Farah Rocks New Beginnings inspiring readers to write their own stories.
"FARAH ROCKS New Beginnings" by Susan Muaddi Durraj, illustrations by Ruaida Mannaa, published by Stone Arch Books is a chapter book about a Palestinian American girl, Farah Hajjar who is just beginning sixth grade at Magnet Academy when her house burns down. While she settles into temporary housing with her family and learns the ropes at a new school, Farah is also plagued with a secret. The fire may actually have been her fault.
I loved reading about a science-loving, writer girl from a loving Palestinian American family. The thing I found most refreshing and relatable about Farah is that she battled with guilt and honesty and didn’t solve all of her challenges in a tidy bow.
While not every reader has the chance to attend a school for gifted kids like Farah does, every reader does face issues like guilt and truth.
I also loved the English and Arabic glossaries and the writing prompts at the end of the book. I can totally see Farah Rocks New Beginnings inspiring readers to write their own stories.
May 5, 2023
This one was harder to read, and a little sad. I hope Farah gets to go to therapy, because I couldn't imagine having that on my conscience! Kidding, a little. But the fire was dealt with well; she held it in because she felt bad, the way many kids would, I think. So that was relatable. But then just when you can't stand her holding it in anymore, she tells her parents, and they're mad temporarily but forgive her, of course. And then she takes the lead in another way, and its so rewarding to see her succeed through the challenges. Love that a STEM kid gets a creative outlet through writing too; that was also fun to overcome! Love these books; I read them awhile ago and I see there's a new one! Looking forward to it.
April 12, 2021
Farah’s not only smart and responsible, but a loving big sister to her adorable brother Samir. She faces several new beginnings: new magnet school, new house, and starting a new writing club. On the outside everything seems fine, but on the inside Farah is consumed with guilt over her secret.
Author Susan Muaddi Darraj depicts preteen life, friendships, and the worries that go with it in an authentic and relatable way for kids while interspersing the theme of family and love throughout its pages. Ruaida Mannaa’s sketches are a nice touch to each chapter.
Extras included are Farah’s Writing Prompts, a glossary of definitions and a glossary of Arabic words.
Author Susan Muaddi Darraj depicts preteen life, friendships, and the worries that go with it in an authentic and relatable way for kids while interspersing the theme of family and love throughout its pages. Ruaida Mannaa’s sketches are a nice touch to each chapter.
Extras included are Farah’s Writing Prompts, a glossary of definitions and a glossary of Arabic words.
January 31, 2021
Starting at a new school is never easy, but when you’re carrying a giant stone of guilt, it’s really a challenge. Farah Hajjar (“rocks� in Arabic) wants to be excited about all the cool things at her new middle school, but instead she is distracted by the house fire her family just experienced. Especially when she realizes that she probably caused it! Farah, along with the rest of her Palestinian American family, has to get through living in temporary housing while waiting anxiously for the insurance money to arrive. Friends, new and old, and family will help Farah deal with feeling guilt about the fire and anger about having to take handouts from a mean girl. She might even start a new club at her school along the way. This realistic fiction book is the third in a series, but I didn’t have any trouble understanding it as a stand-alone book. Susan Muaddi Darraj started writing this series because she didn’t see many book with characters who are Palestinian American. She does a great job of introducing us to Farah and her family. I think anyone starting at a new school or holding onto a guilty secret might enjoy Farah Rocks New Beginnings!
May 17, 2021
I just discovered the "Farah" books. They are a real find. Wonderful, realistic stories about a Palestinian-American girl who has lots of drive and a positive outlook despite family finance problems and mean girls in her class. I was happy to note that there are several books in this series.
Target audience Gr. 3-6
Target audience Gr. 3-6
June 19, 2021
Cute quick lunchtime read. This is book 3 in the series. Some drama and bulking but Farrah and her BFF are strong female characters. Good for 4th.
August 30, 2022
My 6yo and I listened to the audio book, she really enjoyed the story.
April 5, 2024
Enjoyed this series very much & it got me out of my reading slump
May 5, 2024
We really love this series! Great characters, great lessons, great storyline.
December 20, 2023
4.5. Farah has to deal with big, complicated emotions in this book, including a lot of anger and guilt. I appreciated this deeper dive into her character, but wished that she was the one to confess about the fire as this would have strengthened her character development.
This story stresses that people can have nuance. Loving science doesn’t mean you can’t love arts, and valuing science doesn’t mean arts can’t be valued too. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, but instead are irrevocably intertwined.
Once again, Darraj includes great anti-classism messaging. Also, the gentle parenting of Farah’s parents is just the sweetest. They are so kind and forgiving.
Rep: Palestinian-American MC and SCs, Armenian-American SCs, Chinese-American SCs
This story stresses that people can have nuance. Loving science doesn’t mean you can’t love arts, and valuing science doesn’t mean arts can’t be valued too. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, but instead are irrevocably intertwined.
Once again, Darraj includes great anti-classism messaging. Also, the gentle parenting of Farah’s parents is just the sweetest. They are so kind and forgiving.
Rep: Palestinian-American MC and SCs, Armenian-American SCs, Chinese-American SCs
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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