First published 2025
Yasmine wanders through the bustling Souk Al-Hamidiyah in Damascus, desperate to find an Eid present for Mama. Since Baba died, money runs short in their household. She carries no coins in her pocket, yet her heart burns with the need to give something meaningful. When Mama asks what Yasmine wants for Eid, the girl draws a blank. She can think only of her mother's needs, not her own desires. An inspiration strikes while Mama negotiates with the bread seller. Yasmine slips away into the maze of market stalls, her plan taking shape. The crowded souq swallows her small figure as she loses her way among the vendors and shoppers. In her confusion and fear, she discovers something more valuable than any purchased gift. The Great Mosque of Damascus stands nearby, a reminder of faith and family bonds that transcend material offerings.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, selfless-protagonist
Setting: Damascus, Souk Al-Hamidiyah, Great Mosque of Damascus
Period: Eid
40 pages · Hardcover · Holiday House