Don't Be Scared

Saadia Faruqi's breakout graphic novel Saving Sunshine received widespread acclaim, including an Eisner nomination, the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan award, and recognition on multiple best books lists. Now she's back with another story that showcases her signature blend of family dynamics, culture, and friendship, all wrapped in engaging and accessible storytelling perfect for a middle-grade audience.

Riz Choudhry lives for two things: movies and anything spooky. His dad? Not so much. While Riz dreams of filmmaking and jump scares, his father envisions a future involving med school and law school — and neither path includes ghosts.

However, the film club is Riz's safe haven, a place where other supernatural-obsessed first-gen kids gather to swap scary stories from their cultures. When the group decides to film a documentary about the creepy old mansion in town, Riz is all in. But there's a problem. His dad wants Riz to quit the club, and the building is about to be demolished. Now Riz and his friends must harness the power of filmmaking to save the mansion... before it vanishes forever.