I recently read Sadia by Colleen Nelson and immediately knew it needed a place on every middle school classroom bookshelf. This award-winning Canadian novel is an excellent example of inclusive young adult fiction. It explores themes of identity, friendship, belonging, and standing up for what’s right—all through the eyes of a determined teen girl navigating life as a Muslim student-athlete in Winnipeg.
If you’re building your inclusive classroom library, be sure to browse my Equity-Inclusive Picture Book Guide. While Sadia is geared toward older readers, the same principles of representation and identity apply.
🏀 What Is Sadia About?
Sadia is a hijabi high school student who loves basketball. She dreams of playing on the varsity team and winning a scholarship—but her school team’s new uniform policy means she may have to choose between her hijab and her passion.
Alongside this personal struggle, Sadia becomes involved in supporting a newly arrived Syrian refugee family. As she learns more about their trauma and transition, she starts questioning what it really means to advocate for change—and what courage looks like both on and off the court.
The book blends current social issues with relatable teen experiences, offering a timely lens into what it means to be visibly Muslim in Canada today.
💬 Why Teachers and Librarians Should Read Sadia
Sadia is a perfect text to support middle-grade discussions about equity, newcomer experiences, and media bias. The protagonist faces microaggressions, Islamophobia, and gendered expectations—all written in a way that’s accessible for students in Grades 6–10.
This book pairs well with classroom conversations around:
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Identity and self-expression
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Cultural misunderstandings and media stereotypes
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Empathy for refugees and newcomers
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Women in sport and modesty in athletics
It’s a great complement to curriculum expectations around critical literacy and social justice. You might also want to explore The Proudest Blue for a younger audience—see my book review here.
📘 Curriculum and Classroom Extensions
Want to use Sadia in your classroom? Here are a few extension ideas:
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Media literacy: Compare how Sadia is treated in person vs. how she’s portrayed in the media after speaking out.
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Debate prep: Hold a classroom debate on dress codes or representation in sports.
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Creative writing: Have students write a letter from Sadia to her future self.
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Community connection: Bring in a local athlete or community leader to discuss diversity and resilience.
For more Canadian books with classroom impact, check out CBC’s Books for Young Readers or browse Colleen Nelson’s work at https://colleennelsonauthor.com.
📚 Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a thoughtful, authentic read to introduce themes of identity, activism, and resilience, Sadia is it. Colleen Nelson does a beautiful job of writing a story that’s both honest and hopeful.
You can find Sadia on Amazon, Indigo, or request it through your local library.
And if you’re adding this to your teaching toolkit, don’t forget to download my free Picture Book Response Page or get in touch for a custom novel study resource!