Press & Media Kit

“Packed with action and delivered with heart, this rollicking adventure conceals a timely message in between kick-butt battles against bullies both human and magical. Bashir is a worthy hero, and I was breathlessly enthralled from beginning to end.”

— Jessica Khoury, Bestselling Author of The Mystwick School of Musicraft

“With an epic quest, a prison break, and a whole lot of good food, Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile is a fantastic story that explores what it truly means to be a hero. This book is all kinds of fun!”

— Kalyn Josephson, NYT-bestselling author of the Ravenfall series.

"His action-packed journey contains both a surprise plot twist and real character growth as Bashir’s self-esteem, confidence, kindness, and care for his family, friends, and all living creatures grow stronger. An effective blend of excitement and strong characterization, with a message of remaining true to one’s values."

— Kirkus Reviews

"Those who have previously read Jreije's Shad Hadid series will already know they are in for a treat, but those starting with his Bashir books will also be pleasantly surprised. This little gem of a book is sprinkled with adventure and delights, and reminders that in the midst of the distractions of our everyday personal struggles, we can still make choices that help change the world around us in powerful, positive ways."

— Michelle Souliere, Green Hand Books (Portland, ME)

"A refreshing new fantasy with a perfect mix of modern humor and Arabian mythology. Perfect for Percy Jackson fans looking for something fresh and new but with the same snarky sense of humor and fast, quirky friends."

— Chris Abouzeid, Belmont Books (Belmont, MA)

Praise for the Shad Hadid series

“A heart-warming, mouth-watering tale packed to the brim with humor, action, and culinary delights. Alchemizing the magic school trope with traditional Lebanese culture, author George Jreije creates a rich one-of-a-kind world that readers won’t want to leave.”

— Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil series

"A heartfelt adventure rooted deeply in culture, Shad Hadid tugged at my heartstrings, made me laugh, and dazzled me!"

— Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Widow and Zachary Ying series

"Alexandria Academy offers a fresh take on magic schools with dark secrets, and Shad and his friends, most of whom are Middle Eastern and North African, are engaging. A refreshing adventure featuring family, friendship, and the power of creating new recipes."

— Kirkus Reviews

“This fast-paced middle-grade fantasy introduces an immediately likable protagonist in Shad, whose humor and love for his family resonate throughout the novel and whose interest in baking is delightful as well as useful. . . Readers will long to return to the Alexandria Academy.”

— Booklist

“A warm addition to the magical school genre, this duology opener foregrounds developing friendships among the mostly Arab or North African student body, Shad’s pride in his heritage and talents, and above all, his funny, sensitive voice.”

— Publishers Weekly

"Shad pulls readers in with his sharp wit and delicious baked goods, taking them on an action-packed adventure filled with intrigue and hijinks. Get ready to dive into the immersive world of alchemy!"

— Adrianna Cuevas, author of the Pura Belpré Honor book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez

"In this action-packed, funny, heartfelt story, Shad stands up to everyone from middle school bullies to necromancers. Here comes a brave new hero that kids will adore!"

— Katie Zhao, author of The Dragon Warrior and the Winnie Zeng series

— Chris Abouzeid, Belmont Books (Belmont, MA)

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