Zara and Zeeshan go with their physician parents to Florida so that their mother can accept an award for her pediactric work. They sqabble constantly and their parents eventually take away phone privileges. Zara is obsessed with animal rescue and finds a sick Loggerhead Turtle on the beach. Zeesh is obsessed with space/nasa. They both have particular triggering micro/macro aggressions -- Zeesh's is being asked where he is from, Zara's is being picked on for wearing a hijab.

In general I really like Saadia Faruqi's work, and this is no exception, but I didn't really connect with these characters. I think a middle grade audience will devour it and ask for more, but I prefer the depth she can offer in the prose format over the graphic novel. ( )

Twins tweens Zara and Zeeshan are always "at loggerheads" with each other.
They have very divergent interests (animal conservation and space exploration) and each feel that their twin does not support them, especially when each experiences bullying about their ethnicity and religion.
During a family trip to Florida, their incessant fighting comes to a head and their parents take away their phones (horrors!).
They are forced to spend time together, especially trying to save a loggerhead turtle which Zara nicknames Sunshine, hence the title of this lovely Juvenile graphic novel. ( )

Am I to assume that was a veggie burger our self-described "animal rights activist" was eating at the resort? ( )

Really good. I think this story will especially resonate with immigrant and 2nd generation children. There's so much subtext weaved in subtly/masterfully about xenophobia and ignorance.

The twins are at an awkward growing stage. Zeeshan wants to desperately fit in. He feels othered and like he's always being called to prove his Americanness. His parents also don't seem to value his hobbies as much as Zara's from his perspective. Zara is more confident in herself and in belonging but doesn't feel like she receives any protection or understanding from her brother. She's ambitious, passionate, and bright-eyed about animal activism and her parent's support.

As a mild criticism, I don't think all of Zeeshan's arc got resolved. But the ending has a sort of air that maybe eventually he'll find his sort of people and that his parents do support him as well.

SN: Hotel concierge was beautiful, but some suspension of belief is needed. Those ppl (usually) don't care on that level of service lol ( )