Aarzu All Around

Marzieh Abbas

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Hardback

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English

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
28 August 2025

“Heartfelt and triumphant.” —Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor–winning Author of Red, White, and Whole

A cricket-loving Pakistani girl stifled by patriarchal expectations disguises herself as a boy to get a job to pay her sister’s medical bills in this “lyrical action-packed debut full of determination and grit” (Reem Faruqi, award-winning author of Golden Girl).

Living with her aunt and patriarchal uncle in Karachi, Pakistan, recently orphaned twelve-year-old Aarzu detests the way she and her younger sister get treated like extras and excluded from all the fun stuff. Aarzu dreams of playing cricket, just like her male cousins and the neighborhood boys in the streets, but her uncle will hear nothing of it. According to him, girls ought to master the art of making round rotis, not play sports.

When her sister requires urgent medical treatment but finances are tight, Aarzu decides to earn money herself. She hears of a part-time job at a bungalow near her school—but it’s only open to boys. Aarzu has no choice but to disguise herself as a turban-wearing boy to get the gig.

Now, Aarzu must find a way to balance school, work, chores, and secret cricket practices—all without burning out or getting caught by her uncle—or else her dreams of making the girls cricket team and her quest to save her sister will crumble around her.

By: Marzieh Abbas
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 17mm
ISBN: 9781665970419
ISBN 10: 1665970413
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 28 August 2025
Recommended Age: From 8 to 12 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Marzieh Abbas is a baker turned award-winning author. She loves adding magic to her creations, from a seven-layered rainbow cake to the books she writes for children all over the world. Her work is inspired by her Pakistani culture and Muslim heritage. Marzieh is a member of Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 Picture Book Challenge and a graduate of the Lyrical Language Lab and Children’s Book Academy. She is the author of the popular chapter book series Nadia and Nadir and the middle grade novel Aarzu All Around. A Dupatta Is… is her debut picture book and she has several upcoming board and picture books. She occasionally writes under the name Marzieh A. Ali. Marzieh enjoys learning new skills, jumping rope, sipping chai, and observing nature. She dreams of owning a talking parrot someday. But until then, she lives in Pakistan with her husband and children who inspire her daily. You can find her on the web at MarziehAbbas.com.

Reviews for Aarzu All Around

Heartfelt and triumphant. Like a sharply bowled cricket ball, Aarzu All Around spins the story of an orphaned Pakistani girl’s efforts to overcome societal expectations and save her sister. -- Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-Winning Author of Red, White and Whole As skillful as an all-rounder, Abbas delivers a lyrical action-packed debut full of determination and grit. Underneath beautiful sensory details lies an empowering message: Never give up or take no for an answer. As a cricket fan, I’ve been searching for a feel-good story like Aarzu’s all my life! -- Reem Faruqi, Award-winning author of Unsettled, Golden Girl, Call Me Adnan, and upcoming Zarina Divided * *