Drawing Deena, Hena Khan
Drawing Deena, Hena Khan
List: $18.99 | Sale: $13.29
Club: $9.49

Drawing Deena

Author: Hena Khan

Narrator: Reena Dutt

Unabridged: 5 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/06/2024

Categories: Children's Fiction


Synopsis

From the award-winning author of Amina’s Voice and Amina’s Song comes a “nuanced and quietly powerful” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American artist determined to manage her anxiety and forge her own creative path.

Deena’s never given a name to the familiar knot in her stomach that appears when her parents argue about money, when it’s time to go to school, or when she struggles to find the right words. She manages to make it through each day with the help of her friends and the art she loves to make.

While her parents’ money troubles cause more and more stress, Deena wonders if she can use her artistic talents to ease their burden. She creates a logo and social media account to promote her mom’s home-based business selling clothes from Pakistan to the local community. With her cousin and friends modeling the outfits and lending their social media know-how, business picks up.

But the success and attention make Deena’s cousin and best friend, Parisa, start to act funny. Suddenly Deena’s latest creative outlet becomes another thing that makes her feel nauseated and unsure of herself. After Deena reaches a breaking point, both she and her mother learn the importance of asking for help and that, with the right support, Deena can create something truly beautiful.

About Hena Khan

Hena Khan is a Pakistani American writer. She is the author of the middle grade novels Amina’s VoiceAmina’s Song, More to the StoryDrawing Deena, and the Zara’s Rules series and picture books Golden Domes and Silver LanternsUnder My Hijab, and It’s Ramadan, Curious George, among others. Hena lives in her hometown of Rockville, Maryland, with her family. You can learn more about Hena and her books by visiting her website at HenaKhan.com or connecting with her @HenaKhanBooks.


Reviews

I've been looking forward to picking up another book by Hena Khan and Drawing Deena did not disappoint. It's a coming of age story that is about finding your voice and your passions. Drawing Deenafollows main character Deena as she attempts to navigate her passion for art in a family that considers i......more

Goodreads review by Jasmine

A great read and audiobook! The main character overcame many challenges in this story. She worried when her parents argue often because she doesn't want her parents to divorce. Her mom worried about costs a lot which affects Deena and her interests in expanding her art skills which could cost more m......more

Drawing Deena is a book about a girl named Deena who comes form a Pakistani family. Her parents are constantly fighting over money because money is tight right now. She's been feeling funny every morning and losing her appetite but she's not sure what it is. She also notices the way her mother let's......more

Goodreads review by kate

This was absolutely beautiful. Drawing Deena is the kind of book I wish had been around when I was growing up but it gives me so much joy and hope to know younger readers have books as kind and compassionate as this to turn to. This is an empathetic exploration of mental health (specifically anxiety......more