Tiwa and Said have despised each other for years - since Said went off to his fancy boarding school and became too good for their town and her, and least that's how Tiwa tells it. But before that, they were best friends and with their families both being part of the tight knit Muslim community in their town they had spent countless events and holidays together. This year Said is back early from boarding school because his (and Tiwa's) favorite librarian, Ms. Barnes, has passed away. This gets him in town early enough to celebrate Eid, which Tiwa's family is hosting this year. However, before celebrations can begin the Islamic Center tragically burns down. Tiwa immediately jumps into problem solving mode, determined to have the Islamic Center rebuilt (she already knows the mayor's assistant's favorite dessert) , and unfortunately artist Said is the best person to help Tiwa execute her plan.
Four Eids and a Funeral is a sweet story of friendship, community, and (as the opening pages tell you) love. The novel is interspersed with scenes of Eids past, letting the reader see glimpses of Tiwa and Said's relationship before the split, making the reader root for a reunion from the beginning. Plus, Ms. Barnes leaves her cat Laddoo to both of them, and no one wants a cat to have parents who can't get along.
4/5 Stars