Rainbow Fair

Ma, Diana. Rainbow Fair
April 8, 2025 by Clarion Books

E  ARC provided by Netgalley

Sophie is looking foward to the Rainbow Fair at Monroe Middle School in Seattle. It's a yearly event, meant to showcase the school's diversity. Last year, in sixth grade, Sophie worked at the Chinese booth with her longtime best friend Katie, which made her parents very happy. This year, Katie (who has recently come out as bisexual and has very supportive parents) has gotten permission for the very first LGBTQIA+ booth. Because the school rules dictate that students can only work at one booth, Sophie is disappointed that she won't be with her friend. Sophie's long held secret is that she and her family are Muslim, although the only way they preserve this identity is by not eating pork and by the parents occasionally telling her "remember, you're Muslim". After a rare sleepover for Katie's birthday (Sophie's parents think it would put Katie's parents out, but are convinced when Sophie suggests the perfect hostess gift), Katie accidentally "outs" Sophie as Muslim. A teacher who was wishing there would be a Muslim booth finds out and puts Sophie in charge, since there are others to fun the Chinese booth, even though they are more interested in robotics and other topics. Sophie does a lot of research, but doesn't have any first hand experience with the religion or culture, and even her attempts at making some traditional food fall flat. Luckily, a new student, Anna, starts at the school. Since she is Muslim, the two work together. All of the students are a bit upset that people can only work at one booth, and come up with innovative ways to promote intersectionality. Sophie's biggest concern is that her parents will be disappointed that she is not at the Chinese booth, even though she has learned a lot about the family's Hui identity.

Strengths: Sophie's community seems very supportive, and her parents are very mindful of how to address her friends, who also include the nonbinary Shane who uses they/them pronouns. The family's decision to stay quiet about their Muslim identity isn't really explored until the end of the book, but that seems realistic; even though society is more open today, I still agree with my grandmother's assertion that it's not necessary to tell everyone everything. When I was in middle school, my church confirmation classes took us to a wide variety of religious institutions, and that was fascinating. Middle school is an age where many kids are exploring issues of identity, so Sophie's questions, as well as her desire to learn more about Islam from Anna, will resonate with many young readers.

Weaknesses: I don't think today's tweens care what other people eat. Tell them you're allergic to pork. You don't like pork. Your mother won't let you eat it because of hepatitis E concerns. This figures largely in the plot, but seemed like a non-issue. I also would have liked more information about Muslim cultures and identities, as well as the display at the booth. 

What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed this author's The Unbeatable Lily Hong or Ali and Saeed's Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices.