Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story

This book is told from the perspective of Lailah, a Muslim girl preparing to celebrate Ramadan. While she sorely misses her friends back in the Middle East, she is excited to finally share in her family’s observance of the month-long fast called Ramadan. As Lailah prepares to begin the fast, her mother sends a note to her teacher excusing her from lunch. Lailah is afraid that she will be treated differently or will be misunderstood and decides not to give the message to Mrs. Penworth. When students kindly offer to share their meals with Lailah, she politely declines. he almost considers breaking her fast but comes up with a solution. Lailah confides in the librarian, Mrs. Carman, who provides her with advice to help.  Lailah decides to her mother’s note with her teacher and adds some information about herself. Lailah uses the opportunity to educate her new classmates and community about being Muslim and observing Ramadan.