Reem Faruqi author page

Reem Faruqi biography

Reem Faruqi is a writer of children’s books whose work includes picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels in verse. She is of Pakistani descent and immigrated to the United States from the United Arab Emirates when she was thirteen years old. She is also a teacher and photographer. Her picture book Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story was published in June 2015, and she is described as an ALA Notable author for that book. Her middle grade novel Unsettled was published on 11 May 2021 and received recognition including Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, a National Council of Teachers of English Notable Verse Novel selection and a Jane Addams 2022 Children’s Book Award finalist place.

Faruqi’s later books include Anisa’s International Day, published on 20 September 2022, and Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education, published in January 2023. In 2023 she also published Call Me Adnan, a middle grade novel in verse, and Swimming Toward a Dream: Yusra Mardini’s Incredible Journey from Refugee to Olympic Swimmer, a picture book biography. Her picture book The House Without Lights was published on 3 September 2024. Her novel in verse Zarina Divided was published in May 2025.