Note: I received an F&G of this book at an ALA conference. ( )

Recommended by Matt de la Pena: https://www.npr.org/2019/12/16/788399531/kids-books-to-read-again-and-again-and-....

A lovely story about the difficulty of moving, adjusting to a new place and new rules, and making new friends.

Rashin is excited about her first trip to the beach from her new home - she and her family are going to Coney Island. The family moved from Iran, and used to take trips to the Caspian Sea. The story moves back and forth between the two types of trips, showing what's the same and what's different. At Coney Island, there is an ice cream seller, just like at the Caspian Sea - but they don't have Rashin's favorite flavor, saffron. This is too much, and she starts to cry. Another little girl in line suggests that Rashin try her favorite flavor, chocolate crunch...and it's good! The two play together on the beach, and Rashin asks her the rules for the beach before they play together. ( )

A young girl goes to the beach for the first time since moving to New York from Iran. She is worried about what rules there are in Coney Island and she misses her best friend. This is a good book to expose kids to a different culture with a simple story everyone can relate to. ( )

comparing beach experiences from a child's perspective ( )