Marjana and her little brother, Jamal, who have been slaves of Ali Baba's cruel brother ever since their mother died, are kidnapped by the Forty Thieves one night. They are able to escape, but Marjana is worried for Jamal, as he becomes drawn to their lifestyle and joins a street gang. When Marjana meets Saja, a slave who works at the bathhouse who's also concerned about her little brother, Badi, becoming involved with the street gangs, Saja and Marjana try to get their brothers to become friends and, in turn, become friends themselves, despite Marjana's initial reluctance.
Marjana's mistress, however, is more worried about what her husband's fortune will be and convinces Marjana to spy on him when the fortune-teller Abu-Zayed visits. Abu-Zayed predicts that Ali Baba will end up far richer and greater, which sends Marjana's master into a panic, especially when he learns that Ali Baba has found the secret of the Forty Thieves' cave, which indicates that the fortune is coming true. Can Marjana save her brother from joining the street gangs, all the while helping Ali Baba from the wrath of the Forty Thieves?
Topics Ali Baba (legendary character). Brothers and sisters. Slavery. Gangs. Tenth-century history of Baghdad, Iraq. Legends, myths, and fables. Action and adventure. Historical fiction. Asia. Friendship. Sufi women. Muslim women. Classic story retellings.
Lexile 760L
Trim Size 8 1/4" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2019-09-30
JLG Release Date Feb 2020
Minimum grade 3
Maximum grade 5
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Fantasy/Science Fiction Elementary Plus (Grades 3-5)
Fantasy/Science Fiction Elementary Plus
Fantasy/Science Fiction Elementary Plus (Grades 3-5)
For Grades 3-5
Are your elementary readers captivated by new futures, fantasy realms, and alternate realities? Look forward to discovering a new world monthly with the 14 books in this category.