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Start giftingThe Great Banned-Books Bake Sale
Narrator
Dalia Ramahi
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn more
Length
18 minutes
Language
English
Upon learning that the books with kids who look like her have been banned by her school district, Kanzi descends into fear and helplessness. But her classmates support her, and together—with their teacher’s help—they hatch a plan to hold a bake sale and use the proceeds to buy diverse books to donate to libraries. The event is a big success: the entire school participates, and the local TV station covers it in the evening news. Prodded by her classmates to read the poem she has written, Kanzi starts softly but finds her voice. “You have banned important books, but you can’t ban my words,” she reads. “Books are for everyone.” The crowd chants “No banned books! No banned books!,” and the next week, the ban is reversed. Aya Khalil appends a note about how The Arabic Quilt was briefly banned from the York, Pennsylvania school system, and the backmatter also includes a recipe for baklawa, the Egyptian pastry that Kanzi prepares for the bake sale.
Aya Khalil is a freelance journalist and educator who has taught at all levels from preschool to college. Her debut picture book, The Arabic Quilt, is based on events from her childhood when she immigrated at the age of one to the U.S. from Egypt with her parents and siblings. She currently resides with her husband and their three children in Toledo, Ohio.
Dalia Ramahi is a bilingual voiceover actress that speaks both English and Arabic fluently. In addition to acting, she mentors young women who are striving to find their voices. A huge advocate of learning, personal development, and growth, her vision is to live joyfully every day and inspire others to find their everyday joy too.