Ali El Grande Y El Percance del Mercado - by Saadia Faruqi (Paperback)

About the Book

Ali Tahir pierde algo importante en el mercado: ¡su hermano! ¿Al pensar rápido, Ali salvará el día? Ali Tahir loses something important at the market--his brother! Will Ali's quick thinking save the day?

Book Synopsis

Ali Tahir pierde algo importante en el mercado: ¡su hermano! Ali, su abuelo y su hermano pequeño Fateh se dirigen al mercado del sur de Asia para abastecerse de bocadillos. ¡Tantas cosas que ver! Pero lo que Ali no puede ver es a Fateh... ¿Adónde se fue? ¿Al pensar rápido, Ali salvará el día? Ali el Grande, de la autora de Yasmín, Saadia Faruqi, es una encantadora serie de libros de capítulos sobre Ali Tahir, un estudiante paquistaní-estadounidense de segundo grado. Las grandes ideas de Ali resonarán entre los lectores jóvenes que creen que cada problema tiene una solución creativa: ¡solo hay que encontrarla! Ali Tahir loses something important at the market--his brother! Ali, his grandfather, and little brother Fateh head to the South Asian market to stock up on snacks. So much to see! But what Ali can't see is Fateh.... Where did he go? Will Ali's quick thinking save the day? Ali the Great, by Yasmin author Saadia Faruqi, is a charming chapter book series about Pakistani American second grader Ali Tahir. Ali's big ideas will resonate with young readers who believe that every problem has a creative solution--you just have to find it!

Review Quotes

Employing the feel of a classic aughts family cartoon, Faruqi (the Mayra Khan series) and Rahmalia (Gracie Brings Back Bubbe's Smile) collaborate on a freewheeling series starter that emphasizes a child's creativity and quick thinking. Pakistani American youth Ali Tahir is thrilled when his grandfather, whom he calls Dada, suggests an outing to the local South Asian market to pick up snacks. When Dada and Ali bring along Fateh, Ali's toddler-age younger brother, Dada asks Ali to help him keep an eye on Fateh--after all, "one thing Fateh was good at was trouble." Upon their arrival to the market, Fateh--awed by the many colorful and delicious snacks on offer--nearly knocks down an entire display in his haste to grab a bag of chips. Ali successfully circumvents disaster, but when he loses sight of Fateh, Ali draws upon his problem-solving skills to find his brother and prevent further trouble. Rahmalia's dynamic and brightly colored illustrations portray the myriad emotions Ali experiences during his eventful market adventure. Includes an Urdu glossary, discussion questions, and lists of jokes and cultural snacks. Publishing simultaneously: Ali the Great and the Dinosaur Mistake, Ali the Great and the Eid Party Surprise, and Ali the Great and the Paper Airplane Flop. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)-- "Publishers Weekly"

Fans of Faruqi's popular Yasmin series will be pleased to meet Pakistani American secondgrader Ali Tahir and his family. In this early chapter book, Ali, along with his grandfather and mischief-prone little brother, Fateh, go on a snack run. At the South Asian market, keeping an eye on Fateh is an adventure. Ali's quick reflexes and creative thinking thwart a spicy-chips display disaster as well as a lost-sib debacle. A preface offers an introductory character guide and an Urdu glossary. Three ultra-readable chapters feature large type font, generous line spacing, and short sentences. Indonesian illustrator Rahmalia's dynamic cartoon vignettes are full of energy and personality. Back matter includes "Think Big with Ali the Great" discussion questions, some jokes, and a snack lexicon of Dada's favorite Pakistani tasty treats, like crispy nimko and salty chickpeas. An irresistible series opener that leaves young readers hungry for more.--Linda Ludke "Booklist"

STARRED REVIEW! Readers meet Ali Tahir, a second-grade Pakistani American boy, in Faruqi's newest early chapter book. First, they can explore the guide to Ali's family members and learn some important Urdu words with pronunciation help. Next, readers follow Ali, his little brother Fateh, and grandfather Dada to the South Asian market on a hunt for snacks. While Dada goes to find the items on his list, Ali is tasked with watching his little brother, and "one thing Fateh was good at was trouble." In their short time at the market, Ali avoids chip-display destruction and finds his escape artist of a brother before his Dada finds out about his (nearly) missing sibling. This supermarket adventure is written with large black text, with plenty of spacing and relatively simple vocabulary for newly independent readers. The joyful cartoon -illustrations on nearly every page are simple and not overwhelming. Following the main text is a page of jokes; a description of Pakistani snacks, like crispy nimko and kulfi; and a few discussion questions for readers. VERDICT A strong, charming first purchase for any library.--Kirsten Caldwell "School Library Journal"