Debby Rahmalia

Heading to the local pool should be a breeze when you are ready to show off your fantastic aquatic skills. Second grader Ali Tahir is incredibly excited to demonstrate his swimming expertise to his little brother, Fateh. Ali is confident he has all the right moves, but things start to go sideways the moment they arrive at the water. First, Ali realizes he forgot to pack some essential gear. Then, to make matters completely humiliating, little Fateh immediately takes to the pool like a natural born fish! Ali feels his pride deflate as he watches his little brother paddle around with ease. It is tough being the older brother when the younger one seems to need no help at all. But as the day goes on, Ali discovers that even the most independent little swimmers still need their big brothers in the end. Dive into a delightful story about sibling dynamics, bruised egos, and the creative solutions that always bring family back together.

The month of Ramadan has finished, and that means it is time for the best day of the entire year! Ali Tahir is absolutely thrilled to celebrate the festival of Eid with his family. There are so many fun activities and delicious foods waiting for them at the big holiday party. But before the celebrations can truly begin, Ali has to keep an eye on his little brother, Fateh. Unfortunately, Fateh is in a terrible mood. He is acting incredibly cranky, throwing tantrums left and right, and threatening to ruin the special day for everyone. You will join Ali as he puts his clever mind to work, trying to figure out exactly how to turn his brother's terrible frown upside down. Can Ali use his big ideas and creative thinking to save the family party? Step into the festive excitement of Eid and discover how a little bit of patience and a lot of brotherly love can fix even the biggest holiday meltdowns. Get ready to celebrate and see if Ali can bring the joy back to this wonderful family tradition!

Grab your magnifying glass and step outside, because it is a perfect day for exploring the park! Second grader Ali and his mother are going on an exciting nature walk, and Ali is totally prepared to discover all kinds of fascinating insects. He expects to be the one doing the hunting, tracking down creeping caterpillars and buzzing beetles. But the moment they step into the grass, things take a very strange turn. Instead of Ali finding the bugs, it feels like the bugs have found Ali! With insects swarming and crawling all around him, he starts to panic and feels like these tiny creatures are actually out to get him. You will see how Ali handles this creepy crawling situation and learn an important lesson about sharing the outdoors. With a gentle reminder from his mother, Ali realizes that he is actually a guest visiting the bugs in their own natural home. Join this smart Pakistani American student as he changes his perspective, calms his nerves, and finds a creative way to appreciate the tiny world buzzing right beneath his feet!

Building complex machines is incredibly exciting, but letting a fierce competitive streak take over can quickly short circuit the fun. When Ms. Alex rolls the makerspace cart into the classroom, Ali and his friends are absolutely thrilled to start building their very own robots. Always eager to prove he is the best, Ali immediately tries to turn the fun, collaborative project into a high stakes contest. He is determined to build the fastest, strongest robot in the room. But as his complicated design starts falling apart and the pieces refuse to fit together, Ali's frustration boils over into a total meltdown. His hot temper not only ruins his project, but it also threatens to drive away his best friends. Sitting amidst the scattered robot parts, Ali realizes that winning is not everything. Can he cool off, apologize, and discover a brilliant teamwork solution before the bell rings? Find out how a frustrating school project transforms into a valuable lesson about patience and the power of working together.

Spending time in the kitchen with Dadi is always the absolute best part of the week! Second grader Ali is incredibly excited for cooking day, ready to mix spices and create something completely delicious with his grandmother. But there is a tiny, energetic obstacle standing in his way. His little brother, Fateh, is running around the kitchen and getting into absolutely everything! From making messes to blowing directly into Ali's face, Fateh is being incredibly annoying and distracting Ali from his important culinary duties. It feels like this cooking day is going to be a total disaster. But when Dadi finally brings out the finished treats, Ali is in for a very big surprise. You will see how this frustrating afternoon turns around as Ali realizes his pesky little brother might actually be a lot smarter than anyone thought. Grab an apron and discover how family teamwork, a little bit of patience, and a lot of sweet treats can solve even the most annoying sibling squabbles!

Ali Tahir has big dreams of becoming a scientist, and he is absolutely certain that scientists do not need to worry about something as boring as spelling. Amma has a different perspective. She knows that precision matters in the lab, and she is determined to show Ali exactly why spelling is a critical tool for any great mind. The clock is ticking down to the big class spelling bee, and Ali suddenly finds himself with a lot of catching up to do. Will he be able to put his creative problem solving skills to the test and master his vocabulary words before he takes the stage? This engaging chapter book follows the everyday adventures of a young Pakistani American boy who brings big ideas and an unstoppable spirit to every challenge he faces. Whether you are aiming for a blue ribbon or just trying to navigate second grade, Ali proves that with a little practice and a lot of heart, every problem has a brilliant solution waiting to be discovered.

Reaching the one hundredth day of school is a massive milestone that calls for a spectacular celebration. Yasmin and her classmates are buzzing with excitement as they prepare to commemorate one hundred days of learning, growing, and having fun together. The only problem is figuring out exactly what to wear for such a unique and special event. Yasmin wants her outfit to be absolutely perfect, but she is completely out of ideas. When she sits down to explain the school tradition to her grandparents, her Nani steps in with a brilliant spark of inspiration. Together, they brainstorm a creative project that will make Yasmin stand out in the best way possible. Join Yasmin as she crafts a one of a kind outfit that perfectly captures her personality and celebrates her vibrant family heritage.

The morning of Eid has arrived, and Yasmin and her family are rushing to get ready for prayers at the mosque. There is just one problem. Yasmin cannot find her brand new shalwar kameez anywhere! As her family searches high and low for the special outfit, time starts running out. Soon, Yasmin learns an important lesson about the meaning of sacrifice and why giving up something special is a core part of this Muslim holiday. She might have to wear something else to the mosque today, but perhaps the true spirit of Eid is about more than just what you wear. Follow along as Yasmin figures out how to celebrate her favorite holiday, even when things do not go exactly according to plan.

Claiming the title of ultimate dinosaur expert is a huge responsibility, especially on the day of a massive class field trip. Second grader Ali Tahir is absolutely buzzing with excitement as his class heads off to explore the wonders of the natural history museum. Eager to impress everyone, Ali loudly brags to his friends that he knows absolutely everything there is to know about prehistoric creatures. He is ready to lead the way and identify every fossil in sight. But as they move through the towering exhibits, Ali starts confidently mixing up his facts. When his mistakes are pointed out in front of the entire group, his grand reputation crumbles, leaving him blushing and deeply embarrassed. Being a self proclaimed pro is much less fun when you get the facts wrong! However, as the museum tour continues, Ali begins to realize that nobody knows everything. Discover how a humbling moment turns into a valuable lesson about accepting mistakes, asking questions, and keeping your curiosity alive in this charming school day adventure.

Stepping up to the front of the classroom is the perfect moment to dazzle everyone, as long as your act actually works. Ali Tahir has been practicing tirelessly and is absolutely convinced he will have the greatest show and tell presentation in the history of second grade. He is ready to blow his classmates away with a series of mind bending magic tricks. But as soon as the spotlight hits him, everything starts to unravel. One after another, his carefully planned illusions fail spectacularly, leaving him completely flustered and blushing with embarrassment in front of his friends. Standing there feeling like Ali the Goof instead of Ali the Great, he realizes that pulling off a perfect performance is harder than it looks. Fortunately, even the most legendary magicians sometimes need a reliable assistant to help them get the act back on track. Discover how Ali turns a disastrous performance into a brilliant triumph in this heartwarming story about overcoming mistakes and the magic of friendship.

Second grader Ali Tahir is a boy with massive ideas and an unstoppable spirit! His absolute biggest hero in the world is the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, and he cannot wait to learn how to fight just like the great champion. He is thrilled to finally start his very first martial arts class, but his excitement quickly fades when he arrives at the dojo. Instead of jumping right into advanced moves, he is handed a beginner white belt and placed in a group with the youngest kids. Suddenly, Ali feels much more like a chump than a heavyweight champ. He wants to be a superstar immediately, but mastering martial arts requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Will Ali be able to find the patience he needs to practice his skills and slowly work his way up from a total beginner to someone truly great? Join Ali as he learns that every difficult challenge has a creative solution if you are willing to find it.

Walking through the aisles of the local South Asian market is an amazing experience for the senses! Second grader Ali, his grandfather, and his little brother Fateh are on a fun mission to stock up on all of their favorite tasty snacks. There are so many bright colors, interesting sounds, and delicious smells to explore. But while Ali is distracted by all the amazing treats, something terrible happens. He suddenly realizes that little Fateh has completely disappeared! Losing your younger brother in a massive, crowded grocery store is incredibly scary. With tall shelves and busy shoppers everywhere, Ali has to jump into action immediately. You will follow along as he uses his sharp eyes and quick thinking to track down the missing toddler. Can he figure out where Fateh wandered off to before his grandfather notices? Step into the bustling market and see how this clever young boy stays calm under pressure, proving that every tricky problem has a creative solution just waiting to be found!