I wrote a story about friendship.

I wrote a story about friendship for English as a Second Language Learners like me.

I wrote a story about friendship for kind and open-minded kids, like my first friend in America.

I wrote a story about friendship based on my American immigrant experience, and I am so grateful to the people who are helping me bring this book into the world: my agent Tanusri Prasanna, the incredible team at Kokila Books, an imprint of Penguin, especially my editor Zareen Jaffery and Art Director Asiya Ahmed thank you for your generous guidance and support.

A special thanks to the Highlights Foundation and Doris Duke Foundation for championing Muslim creators.

And thank you to the friends and creators who have read and critiqued this story in its journey.

Alhamdulillah 💜

In joy,

Natasha