Join us with the author of Almost Sunset to hear the story of a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life.
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (immediately after the 2:30 p.m. Jumu’ah ends) | MCC Conference Room | Join us in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live
Almost Sunset follows a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life.
Sponsored by Towne Center Books Pleasanton & MCC East Bay.
We are excited to host author of Almost Sunset Wahab Algarmi in conversation with author of Raised by Ghosts, Briana Loewinsohn on Thursday, February 20th at 4 pm (Pleasanton location, 555 Main St). Join us for a lively discussion about their books and how they became authors/artists.
In a contemporary middle grade graphic novel debut that Gene Luen Yang calls “funny, endearing, and an intimate look at a Muslim family,” Almost Sunset follows a young Muslim American boy during Ramadan as he finds the balance between his family traditions and his secular middle school life. Perfect for fans of Swim Team and Chunky.
Wahab Algarmi is a writer and comic artist. He has been creating comics and a community space for other artists in the San Francisco Bay Area for years. Some of his past comic work includes The Society of Unordinary Young Ladies.
Set in the author’s own teenage years, Raised By Ghosts begins in 1991 with semi-autobiographical Briana in middle school. Classes are a bummer, but lunches are worse; either spent alone, or being teased. Traditionally a good student, Briana is not doing well in her academics, but keeps it a secret. Her parents (divorced) are a mess, and largely absent. She spends a lot of time by herself. By high school, she makes friends, and those connections are her only source of happiness as they help each other navigate adolescence. But life at home with each parent remains fraught. When her relationships at school begin to falter, she has no one to turn to, forcing Briana to grapple with her sense of self-worth, her longing for belonging, and her desire for authenticity in her relationships.
Briana Loewinsohn is a cartoonist living in Oakland, CA. These days she teaches high school art and draws comic books. If she doesn’t text you back, she is probably gardening.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org