Jreije, George. Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile. Harper, 05/2025. 275pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06-338224-4. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL.
Just as his summer in his native Lebanon is ending, Bashir finds a mysterious ring, which he takes with him as his family returns to New Jersey. Strange things begin to happen because of the ring, starting with a being who lives in the ring talking to him and followed by various demonic entities attacking him to get the ring. This eleven-year-old quickly finds himself fighting to save himself and his parents with the help of two teenagers who are the only remaining members of a group called the Magi, which is dedicated to trying to stop Ali Adin, the most powerful demon, from taking over the world. Fast-paced action scenes, including portals to other worlds, mix with occasional humor to create a compelling mythology-oriented story based on the Arabian Nights. Readers of Riordan’s mythology-based series are likely to enjoy this world-hopping story.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library