Common Sense Media Review
By Jasmine Baten
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kid reporter's big story, first fast in sweet Ramadan tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In NADIA ISLAM, ON THE RECORD, Nadia is headed to Bangladesh for the summer with her family for Ramadan, ruining her plans of fasting for the first time with her best friend. Her plans for finding the story that will land her editor-in-chief of the school newspaper are also up in the air. But there's more to Bangladesh (and fasting) than she thought. Nadia gets to assist her aunt, a grown-up journalist, on an article about people who have lost their homes to flooding and climate change, and every day brings new information and lessons. Even though Nadia feels herself becoming a better journalist, she's also fasting for the first time…and trying to show her cousins and her big brother that she's not too young to do it! It's all harder than she thought, but Nadia's determination to find a good story and to fast brings her to the things that matter most.
Is It Any Good?
This heartfelt and well-crafted novel makes for a fun read that combines the lighthearted struggles of a first Ramadan fast with the gravity of global issues. Adiba Jaigirdar's Nadia Islam, on the Record is a fantastic blend of family squabbles, personal growth, and information about problems in the world that are bigger than any one person. Young Muslim readers will see themselves in Nadia as she fasts, Bangladeshi readers will see themselves lovingly and authentically represented, and aspiring journalists will learn much from Nadia's reporting project. Nadia is a bright and passionate main character, and she'll have you cheering as she learns and realizes what's most important about Ramadan and her journalism dreams.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of issues like climate change in Bangladesh, as explored in Nadia Isalm, On the Record. Nadia sees people living in a shelter after their homes have been destroyed by floods. What is the purpose of talking about these subjects through young people's experiences?
Nadia and Khalamoni are both journalists. What do they show us about what it's actually like to be a journalist? How are they role models for readers who want to be journalists or are South Asian and/or Muslim? Why do these characters write about the countries their families are from?
In this story, Nadia learns to focus on what is most important to her from compassionate adults and friends in her life. What does having compassion shown to her teach Nadia? How else does Nadia learn about compassion?
Why might it be helpful to readers to see Nadia going through the challenges of Ramadan and fighting with her cousins? What obstacles have you overcome?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Avani Dwivedi
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Activism ( Climate change ) , Family Stories , STEM ( Nature ) , Travel
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Quill Tree Books
- Publication date : January 13, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 319
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : February 18, 2026
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