Squire

From two incredible rising talents comes the fantasy graphic novel Molly Knox Ostertag calls "instantly compelling." A New England Book Award and Harvey Award winner!

Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. It's the highest military honor in the once-great Bayt-Sajji Empire, and as a member of the subjugated Ornu people, Knighthood is her only path to full citizenship. Ravaged by famine and mounting tensions, Bayt-Sajji finds itself on the brink of war once again, so Aiza can finally enlist in the competitive Squire training program.

It's not how she imagined it, though. Aiza must navigate new friendships, rivalries, and rigorous training under the unyielding General Hende, all while hiding her Ornu background. As the pressure mounts, Aiza realizes that the "greater good" that Bayt-Sajji's military promises might not include her, and that the recruits might be in greater danger than she ever imagined.

In this breathtaking and timely story, Aiza will have to choose, once and for all: loyalty to her heart and heritage, or loyalty to the Empire.

Author: Nadia Shammas, Sara Alfageeh
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Published: 03/08/2022
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.50lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780062945846

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2021 pg. 249
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2022 - Book Of Special Distinction
Booklist 01/01/2022 pg. 59
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2022
Publishers Weekly 04/04/2022
School Library Journal 04/01/2022 pg. 149

About the Author
Shammas, Nadia: -

Nadia Shammas is a Palestinian American writer from Brooklyn, NY. She's best known for creating CORPUS: A Comic Anthology of Bodily Ailments as well as being the writer of Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin. Her work often focuses on identity, memory, and decolonizing genre tropes. When she's not writing, she's trying to perfect her cold brew recipe and win the love of her cats, Lilith and Dash. Visit her online at www.nadiashammas.com

Alfageeh, Sara: -

Sara Alfageeh is a Jordanian American illustrator and creative director from Boston. She's passionate about history, nuances in visual storytelling, and the spaces where art and identity intersect. She's known for her work for Marvel Comics, Star Wars, and children's publishing. While that's cool and all--she really just wants to draw girls with swords. Visit her online at www.sara-alfa.com