Drummer Girl - by Hiba Masood (Hardcover)

About the Book

Year after year in Ramadan, little Najma has happily arisen to the drum beat of her neighborhood's musaharati. He walks through the streets of her small village, waking each family for the pre-dawn meal before the long day of fasting. Najma wants nothing more than to be a musaharati herself one day, but no girl has ever taken on the role before.

Book Synopsis

Year after year in the blessed month of Ramadan, little Najma has happily arisen to the drum beat of her neighborhood's musaharati. He walks through the streets of her small Turkish village, waking each family for the pre-dawn meal before the long day of fasting. Najma wants nothing more than to be a musaharati herself one day, but no girl has ever taken on the role before. Will she have what it takes to be the drummer girl of her dreams? Find out in this inspirational story of sincerity, determination, and believing in yourself.

Review Quotes

Drummer Girl is a joyful story, sweetly told, about a little girl's desire to help her community during the sacred month of Ramadan. With beautiful illustrations and lithe story-telling, it challenges gender stereotypes while sharing a glimpse into the culture of the Muslim-majority world.

--Yvonne Mesa Elashmawi, Assistant Professor of Middle and Secondary English Education at Loyala University Chicago

Drummer Girl invites us all to stand up and heed the call to our own wishes and talents by being in service to our communities. Beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Hoda Hadadi contribute to this immersive story experience. Anyone wishing to wander the roads of a little village in Turkey during the most holy time of the year need only turn the page.

--Valarie Budayr, Award Winning Author, Creative Director at Jump into a Book and Co-Founder of Multicultural Children's Book Day

The universality of Najma's quiet determination is used to take the reader's hand and lead them into her wonderful world. Part girl-power story and part Ramadan tale, Drummer Girl both entertains and builds bridges. It is the sort of book that is so direly needed in the world.--Amy Brabenec, Children's Bookseller at Brookline Booksmith, independent bookstore in Brookline, MA

This heart-warming tale of one father's support in making his daughter's dream come true despite the doubts of others is a timeless gem.--Tayyaba Syed, Award-Winning Author and Freelance Journalist