Almost Sunset
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Walker Books Australia
Age 8+
Comic Strip Fiction / Graphic Novels
Navigating a month of school, an upcoming soccer championship while fasting for Ramadan, can be tough. Luckily, Hassan has a winning combo of family, friends and faith - and his goals in sight!
It’s almost sunset, and Hassan has been dreaming about eating since the sun rose this morning. He’s facing a hectic month of homework, gaming and soccer, all while fasting every day for the holy month of Ramadan. Not eating until sundown intensifies Hassan’s already stretched days – his teachers and friends barely understand Ramadan and its traditions, and it’s especially tough keeping up with soccer practice, as the team’s first game looms in a few weeks.
At the same time, Ramadan brings Hassan’s family and community closer together, from waking up at 4am every morning to feasting and attending mosque in the evenings. Throughout this epic month, while the secular world flows on a different path, Ramadan becomes a steadying force in Hassan’s life while illuminating surprises about his family, his faith – soccer too! – and most importantly, Hassan’s own path ahead.
Creators
Wahab Algarmi is a writer from the San Francisco Bay Area, specialising in visual storytelling. He graduated from the Academy of Art University after studying with Pixar Studios story artists, and has written role-playing games for Night Owl Workshop and been a Story Artist for Floating World Animation. Wahab currently writes and teaches for StoryboardArt.org, an online art school, and his previous comics work includes the webcomic The Society of Unordinary Young Ladies, a story of female spies made up of TV sitcom characters.
Reviews
Relatable, clever, and authentic! Hassan’s story will resonate with every Muslim.
HATEM ALY, New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Proudest Blue
One of the year’s best graphic novels.
JASON SHIGA, creator of Meanwhile and Adventuregame Comics
A heartfelt and hilarious story about a kid who’s just trying to follow the rules.
PEDRO MARTÍN, creator of Newbery Honor–winning Mexikid
Your heart will melt and your mouth will water as you follow Hassan, who balances faith, grades, soccer, and an empty stomach during Ramadan.
TERRI LIBENSON, author of the New York Times bestselling Emmie & Friends series
This uplifting story highlights the struggles of some fasting Muslim kids, but Algarmi focuses on Hassan’s perseverance and ability to own up to his mistakes and turn things around. Action-packed panels showing Hassan’s school days contrast with quieter moments with family. Many wordless sequences offer glimpses of the Yemeni community. An inspiring look at the challenges and courage needed to be true to one’s faith.
Kirkus Reviews
