Beautifully crafted and a fantastic representation of how creative work can get twisted with business and a child's role in the home.

I requested this for consideration for Book Riot's All the Books podcast for its release date. After sampling several books out this week, I decided to go with a different book for my review.

This is the kind of book I wish little me had read.

"Art is hope and the creative process is a sanctuary. And although we may be censored, or banned, or portrayed a certain way by others, art gives us space to claim our narratives, to speak our truths, and to inspire change."

A story about our anxious little artist called Deena and how she struggles to maintain her mental health while helping her mother with her small business amongst many other things. This is a beautifully written narrative about art, family, anxiety, and being a middle-grade kid.

It has the kind of things little kids need to read about, I wish somebody had told me more about anxiety when I was young instead of simply telling me not to worry. As a young artist from a not-so-well-off family, it was easy to find myself in Deena. Whether you relate to her or not, it's easy to love Deena, this precious and adorable child trying to make everything right for her friends and family and cause the least amount of trouble instead of simply being and living through a happy-go-lucky childhood.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the plot was great as well, with a couple of things I didn't see coming that only made the narrative stronger. Overall this was a very immersive book and I'd definitely recommend it for readers of all ages, but especially to younger audiences.

My thoughts...

Deena was such a special young lady. She was trying to get through the hardship that can be middle school, find herself, discover her future, and manage her home life unknowingly to her parents. Curious about that last part? It's a common struggle taken on by many young hearts while the parental units don't quite realize their burdens are being shouldered inadvertently elsewhere when the discussions turn to raised voices, the concerns turn to worries, and the hesitations turn into missed chances. We're talking about that thing that makes the world go round... money.

In family units, it's generally the adults responsible for the procurement of and continual monitoring of the finances, but sensitive hearts, and open ears can take in much leading to shared worries, and sometimes those intrusive thoughts can magnify themselves into physical reactions and anxiety. Deena was a superstar in trying to help others, and keep the peace, but it took some severe interruptions to her life to get her to realize she can't shoulder the world’s cares, or even her family's, all by her self. Watching things spiral broke my heart, but seeing the outreach take effect, and the results of accepted helping hands, was heartwarming. When the problem was acknowledged, change happened, in all aspects if their lives, and very much for the better.

This is a great story filled with heart that puts a voice to feelings and situations that younger readers may not understand, but gives them a way to reach out for the help they need, the assistance they deserve. Deena was a talented young girl with so much promise, and surrounded by so much love, that when the time came for the focus to be on her, for better or worse, her audience was more than willing to share the worries as well as the joys to get back to a place of harmony.

Hena Khan never misses! Am I way passed the age for middle grade books? Yes. Do I still heartily enjoy them and wish I had these when I was in grade school? Also yes.

Deena’s family is Pakistani-American and this story is about her navigating anxiety, confidence, familial and financial struggles. I could see elements from my own life in hers. Middle grade books exploring concepts of mental health like anxiety brings me pure joy. More kids learn to recognize those feelings in themselves and be able to put a name to it. They'll be able to speak up for themselves like Deena whether through words or creative outlets. I appreciate that you never forget how young Deena is and tough it can be to at that young age when life feels so confusing. I hope more adults read this book as well and that it serves as a reminder that the children in your lives have big feelings that they're learning to navigate the way you once did. Just like you did, they also require that space and support to heal and grow.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and SimonKids for an eARC and finished copy for review!

Art + middle school + identity + family struggles + friends + growth of so many characters = a book that I couldn’t put down.

As a mental health advocate and someone who believes we should all share our struggles public much more than we do, Drawing Deena is a book that went straight to my heart.

Deena has so much going on. She is truly just trying to hold it together, but it is all too much. However, if you look on the surface, she looks like any other pre-teen and she has learned to mask all of her emotions. But that is what makes the book so insightful. This is how most of our students who are suffering from mental illness deal on a day to day basis–the best they can and often they make it so outside people wouldn’t notice. But throughout the book, she learns to find her voice: her advocacy voice, her friendship voice, her stern voice, her artist voice… She learns that her voice matters.

There is a part of the press release I had to share that pulls it all together: “According to the CDC, anxiety affects approximately one in 11 children aged 3-17. A panel of experts recently recommended that all children 8 and older be screened for anxiety. Thus, Khan hopes to help address America’s mental health crisis among children through her work. Deena is a lovable and relatable character, a young artist who struggles with anxiety, who wants her parents to stop fighting and having money woes, and dreams of being a painter like her idol Vincent van Gogh. She learns to stand up against bullies of all ages and that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.”

What does Deena have to be stressed about? Middle school…life. As a mother of four, sometimes I forget how hard growing up can be. Our children have the weight of the world on their shoulders and that feeling deep in the pit of their stomach is not normal, it is anxiety. This book does a wonderful job describing the external and internal struggles and feelings for anxious children as Deena navigates turmoil with middle school, family, and life overall. Drawing Deena is a beautiful, culturally rich middle grade novel that narrates with an honest voice of young girl. There are a million amazing amazing things to say about this book and so I might as well give a guest spotlight to A, age 11.

🌻 I think that Drawing Deena is an inspiring tale of an artist with a huge heart and the smartest mind. This book includes big decisions in life. This book is a must read and you will hold it close forever. 🌻

There are a lot of aspects of this book that we can talk about and praise: the importance of creativity; perceptions of other people; family dynamics and the immigrant experience. But what I really want to focus on is Deena as a character. Khan has found the perfect balance in Deena, making her a universal character while keeping her Pakistani culture an essential element. Many kids will relate to her anxiety and fear, not knowing how to advocate for herself and needing to put up a front of being okay. While the specifics of the expectations upon her are defined by her experience, the general themes will be understood by a wider variety of readers.

This is a well-paced roller coaster of a ride, a great glimpse into what a middle grader goes through nowadays. And with Pakistani American rep. And art being at first unfavored over science or law. And social media as a tool, or a danger?
Deena draws, and very well. Art is a great tool for managing anxiety but that’s not what her story is about. Her story is one of resilience and self discovery in the current society we have created for these young generations. Where a friend will change and become moody with their social media growth. This isn’t my opinion, and I’m glad this author, and other brilliant authors are doing the work they’re doing.

3.5 stars
Deena has a lot going on. Her classes are all pretty tough this year, even her favorite, art. She loves studying the art of masters like Van Gogh and following their styles, but she works hard to put realism into her work like her teacher expects her to. Her parents are arguing a lot over finances, and Deena feels badly when she becomes stressed enough to need an expensive mouth guard to sleep in.. She wants to help her mom with her clothing business, but when everyone suggests taking to social media and creating an account, Deena feels overwhelmed. And one day at school, she just can’t handle everything, or anything, anymore…
Good, relatable middle-grade read about pressures that young teens face in today’s society, and the physical problems that can result.
I do wish that the author has included a glossary for unfamiliar words and phrases; it would have made the book more understandable.

I absolutely adored this book! Deena is the girl you quickly love. The character growth throughout the story is remarkable as she grows into herself and takes charge of her life. The rise of social media has cursed all of us but imagine being a young girl, unsure of yourself, and having Western standards bombarding you. Enter the rebel who reminds us beauty is more than a filter. Her mom’s support of therapy is a blessing and reiterates the fact that everyone needs help at one time or another. Remarkable.

This is the story of Deena Rahman, a middle school girl who loves art; Van Gogh being her favorite artist. Deena is a fairly normal tween, dealing with her own personal struggles. She’s worried by her parents' constant fighting over money, afraid it could lead to their divorce. She's also under pressure to maintain good grades while helping with her mom's fashion business. Her mom always seems to have something to complain about. She’s always moaning about the price of things, including Deena's much needed dental care. Unbeknownst to her mother, Deena blames herself for needing a custom made mouth guard to prevent her grinding and damaging her teeth in her sleep. She has a younger brother, whom she dearly loves, but it seems he gets more opportunities than Deena. Musa is only a year younger and his soccer seems to outweigh anything Deena does. But please note while not perfect, her parents are loving and devoted parents.

Always the thinker, Deena comes up with a new way to promote her mom's boutique on social media using her own artistic skills. This task begins to weigh on her as does her troubled relationship with her best friend and cousin Parisa. Her friendships are falling apart and her parents still fighting, school, money… will Deena be able to hold everyone together, even though it feels like she can't eat or breathe from worrying about them all? All this is working on her body mentally and physically.

As a retired teacher I was impressed with the way the author portrayed the support system of school for Deena and her struggles. It warmed my heart when her mother innocently asks the school counsellor how much treatment would cost for her daughter, and Mr Lin told her it was free.

Drawing Deena іs a beautiful story оf a young Pakistani American girl who loves creating art. She faces anxiety with courage and grace. Drawing Deena addresses the topics оf friendship, social media, and cultural identity.
I highly recommend this book and thus author tо readers оf all ages.

Okay so this middle grade YA took me by surprise! I haven't read any of Hena Khans books and I must say this is delightful! Deena is funny, honest, kind, sensitive, oh so relatable! Using the power and beauty of her Pakistani American culture, Deena gets creative and finds solutions to big family problems. Problems kids really shouldn't have to be in the center of!

One of the things I remember most from AMINA’S VOICE and AMINA’S SONG is the way that the author creates these rich family connections and still keeps the story centered on its kid characters. Deena has complex relationships with both her parents, where sometimes she feels like they don’t see or hear her, yet it’s clear they love her, and she loves them, and they have a good relationship in other ways.

In this book, Deena explores both her artistic style and talent, learning about other artists, especially Vincent Van Gogh, whose work she feels a connection with. She also wrestles with feelings of anxiety that build to a panic attack. Like lots of people, she can’t tell at first what’s happening to her body. She only knows she feels nauseated and tense. At first, she doesn’t even connect those feelings to any particular fears or worries.

I liked the way that process played out and the way people in Deena’s life responded to her once they understood what was going on. That part felt really realistic, and I couldn’t help celebrating with Deena as she finds her voice and speaks up for what she needs.

I also really enjoyed the descriptions of artwork in the story. It made me want to visit a museum– and especially to look up the names of the artists mentioned in the book.

Fans of Hena Khan’s earlier books will love this one, and readers who enjoy books about artists will also find lots to love here.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Deena is a young Pakistani-American girl with one overarching goal: don't be a burden on her parents. Finances are tight, and Deena's recent dental woes threaten to make them tighter. That's when she comes up with a bright idea: build a social media presence for her mother's traditional clothing business. The resulting uptick in business spurs the girl's love for art, and soon she begins diving deeper into drawing for friends, studying the works of Vincent Van Gogh, and even networking with local artists.

But under this otherwise straightforward story of a young girl chasing her dreams lurks another, equally relatable theme: anxiety. Much like the condition itself, the specter of anxiety starts small — tooth issues here, morning nausea there — until it becomes inescapable. But rather than being a separate story, this concern is what links all of Deena's other experiences together. Her exploration of her personal and cultural identity, her family's financial concerns, and the ups and downs of her school and social life all become part of the same experience: one for which she now has a name.

It can be risky to show parents as anything but fully supportive in youth literature, but DRAWING DEENA paints a realistic picture of all sides of anxiety. From coping with it to explaining it to loved ones who may still see mental health issues as shameful, it doesn't shy away from what it's like to be in Deena's position. But it also offers hope, helpful advice, and positive examples of how to communicate as a family. While kids will definitely benefit from seeing themselves in Deena's story, this is one parents should also take time to read and understand on their own.

Such a cute and encouraging MG book. I will definitely be recommending this to families. There's lot of great steps to look into taking and how to identify potential triggers for anxiety and how to get your family and educators involved.

Drawing Deena, the latest masterpiece from the talented Hena Khan, is a beautifully crafted middle-grade novel that skillfully navigates the delicate balance between creativity, anxiety, and the strength that lies within familial bonds.

The protagonist, Deena, is a young Pakistani American artist facing the universal struggles of adolescence compounded by the weight of her parents’ financial woes. Khan’s writing deftly captures the nuances of Deena’s emotions, describing the familiar knot in her stomach that plagues her during moments of tension and uncertainty. This tangible portrayal of anxiety adds a layer of authenticity to Deena’s character, making her journey all the more relatable for readers of all ages.

The narrative unfolds with a perfect blend of sensitivity and humor, as Deena turns to her passion for art to cope with life’s challenges. The ingenious idea of using her artistic talents to support her family’s business adds a unique and refreshing twist to the story, providing young readers with a valuable lesson in resilience and resourcefulness.

Khan not only explores the power of art as a therapeutic outlet but also delves into the complexities of friendships and family dynamics. Deena’s relationship with her best friend and cousin, Parisa, takes a compelling turn as success and attention bring unforeseen challenges. The author handles these themes with grace and empathy, allowing readers to witness the characters’ growth and self-discovery.

What truly sets Drawing Deena apart is its ability to impart meaningful life lessons without sacrificing the enchantment of the storytelling. The narrative unfolds with a gentle rhythm, capturing the reader’s attention and heart from start to finish. The diverse cast of characters adds depth to the narrative, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives that will resonate with readers from various backgrounds.

Ultimately, Drawing Deena is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the transformative power of art. Hena Khan has once again proven her prowess in crafting emotionally resonant stories for young readers. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and the unwavering strength found in family and friendship.

Middle grade contemporary that follows a young Pakistani American artist navigating family struggles and anxiety. I enjoyed this book! I loved seeing Deena’s growth throughout the book. She was brave in standing up for the people she loves and she became more confident in herself and pursuing her passion for art. I definitely recommend this one!

A heartwarming and relatable story that tackles the struggles of a young girl named Deena.. I loved how personal and authentic the book feels, allowing me to connect deeply with Deena's emotions and experiences. The way the author explores Deena's artistic talents as a means of self-expression and helping her family is inspiring. The characters are well developed and admirable. The story teaches important lessons about seeking help during tough times and finding beauty in our struggles. I highly recommend this heartfelt and inspiring read to everyone.

Every now and then I enjoy letting myself read a middle-grade book; they're fun and creative. I also like how much more culturally relevant a lot of middle grade stories are allowed to be now, as opposed to when I was a kid - when the choices were much more limited. Children have so many more options, and it gives me a lot of happiness to say that Drawing Deena is a good one among them. That and the topic of anxiety and art it focuses on is a perfect blend for me.

Deena, in and of herself, a well fleshed out character with a good handle on the portrayal of struggles with mental health. It never turns into complete ‘inspiration dopamine’ like a lot of other stories that discuss this topic. Deena is given enough control and obstacles, but does not fall victim to the mentality of all her struggles disappearing. She really has to repetitively control her anxiety, and learn to grow with it - as opposed to ‘get over it.’

Overall I enjoyed this story so much!