Making Waves: A Growth Mindset Journey for Young Athletes and Readers in Salma Joins the Team

The Hooked on Books series is back with a book that encourages empathy, highlights the importance of diversity, and promotes a growth mindset. Salma Joins the Team by Danny Ramadan, published by Annick Press, is a heartwarming and inspiring story that empowers kids to believe in their abilities and keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges. Nominated for a Forest of Reading Award in the Silver Birch Express category, for middle-school readers in grades 3 - 4, this engaging chapter book follows Salma, a young girl who learns valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and self-confidence as she joins her school’s swim team. Don’t miss our insightful interview with Vancouver-based author, Danny Ramadan, where he shares his inspiration behind the story and discusses how to navigate personal challenges, both in and out of the swimming pool.

The in-person and online tutoring team at Teachers on Call recommends adding Forest of Reading titles to your library as an essential tool for nurturing both academic and emotional growth in young readers. Silver Birch Express nominee, Salma Joins the Team, is a great resource for helping children build resilience, develop a growth mindset and strengthen their sense of self. This makes it an ideal fit for both independent reading and guided discussion. Perfect for young readers looking to explore important life lessons through an accessible and fun narrative, Salma Joins the Team is a must-read in any classroom or home library. Looking for more Salma? Luckily, there is a whole series to enjoy, including Salma Makes a Home.

Planting the Seeds of a Lifelong Love of Reading with the Forest of Reading Program

Ready to spark your child’s love for reading this year? Teachers on Call’s English and French tutors believe the Forest of Reading program is the perfect way to ignite that passion! As Canada’s largest recreational reading initiative, this program is beloved by parents and educators looking to keep their children excited about books all year long. Run by the Ontario Library Association, the program highlights exceptional works by Canadian authors, illustrators, and publishers. The excitement culminates every year at the Forest of Reading Festival, a vibrant two-day event held in mid-May at downtown Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8), where the nominees and winners are celebrated. As part of our Hooked on Books series, Teachers on Call is thrilled to introduce you to some of the standout nominees for 2025. Keep an eye out for upcoming details—you won’t want to miss out!

Meet the Creators: Author Danny Ramadan & Illustrator Anna Bron

Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author, speaker, and LGBTQ+ advocate. His work is inspired by his experiences as a refugee and his passion for amplifying diverse voices. His debut novel The Clothesline Swing explores themes of love, loss, and the immigrant experience in a poignant, lyrical style. Beyond writing, Danny is a passionate advocate for refugee rights, frequently engaging in public speaking and community outreach. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he continues to create stories that resonate with readers worldwide.

Anna Bron is the illustrator of Salma Joins the Team, as well as the award-winning picture book Salma the Syrian Chef and the middle-grade novel Harvey and the Extraordinary. She studied traditional animation at Sheridan College in Ontario and has worked in animation, design, and directing for commercials and short films. She currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Catch Our Exclusive Interview with Author Danny Ramadan!

The Salma series has become a beloved part of many children's lives. What motivated you to continue Salma's journey in this third book, and what new themes or lessons does this installment explore?

The Salma series has been a wonderful light for me as well. It is so exciting to see how well it has been received. Children know Salma, and love her. They follow her adventures and enjoy her quirky yet self-empowered personality. It is genuinely a joy for me to write more Salma books. 

In this book, Salma is handling another complex feeling: She wants to join the swimming team in her school, just like her idol, Yusra Mardini, a Syrian refugee Olympic swimmer (for extra reading, the Teachers on Call tutoring team recommends checking out the picture book Yusra Swims). However, she feels uncomfortable in the swimming attire, which stands in strong contrast to her values and her upbringing as a Muslim girl. How will Salma be able to balance the two aspirations together?

In Salma Joins the Team, Salma faces new challenges as she integrates into a team. How did you approach writing these challenges in a way that young readers can relate to, especially those who may be navigating team dynamics in their own lives?

It is extremely important to me to write children's books that fosters a child's critical thinking. This age group is in the perfect spot to make a decision: do I accept the world as it is, or do I investigate it, and find its truths for myself, and find who I am while on this journey. I intentionally write the Salma books with that in mind—a bit complex, earnest and unafraid to ask complicated questions. I am also aware that children rarely respond to those talking down to them. That's why I prefer to write a story that meets them at their level, and challenge them a bit upward. Hopefully, that means that children will view the core theme as something they can reflect on, and learn from.

How do you envision Salma Joins the Team being used by parents, teachers, and tutors to foster conversations about collaboration, inclusivity, and building confidence?

That's a great question. The core theme of the book, if we removed the layers of the storytelling, is that a child should be able to create a path for themselves: one that will allow them their own understanding of the world around them. I am hopeful that parents, teachers, and guardians will be able to see the importance of such a message. One that empowers the children, and gives them their agency. Then, hopefully they will work through that lens as they are using this book.

Teamwork is a central theme of Salma Joins the Team. Why do you think it’s so important for children to learn about collaboration at a young age, and how do you see this affecting their relationships and emotional development?

Teamwork is such an interesting concept. I believe in the idea of collaboration, but not assimilation. I think it is wonderful for the readers to learn that teamwork while holding on to your core identities is not only possible, but also preferable. There is nothing more beautiful than bringing your true authentic self into any project you are working on.

Given the themes of teamwork and friendship in this book, what impact do you hope it will have on young readers in terms of building empathy and learning how to support each other in group settings?

I am hopeful that the book will be a guide for those who might struggle balancing parts of themselves to find a true meaningful bridge between their identities. I am also hoping that others around folks with different identities and lived experiences will learn to see this as an opportunity for allyship and empathy, as well as a chance to learn something new and exciting about the world around them.

What can young readers expect next from Salma?

Salma is a real hard worker! She is coming back this September with a new book, Salma Speaks Up, and we are currently cooking TWO new books as well. So, the stories will continue to come as long as you are celebrating Salma and her wonderful experiences.

Vancouver is such a vibrant and diverse city, and your writing often reflects a deep sense of place and community. Are there any specific spots in the city that inspire your creativity or influence the way you approach your stories? How does the city shape your writing process?

Vancouver is a wonderful place to call home. There is joy and culture here. But also there is calmness and softness. I love where I live in the West End, moments away from the ocean. I enjoy the concrete jungle of its core, and the small homes in its suburbs. I think there is something wonderful about Vancouver: the fact that it is somewhere between a small town and a cosmopolitan city. That tension is inspiring and exciting. 

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We hope Salma Joins the Team sparks important conversations about teamwork, inclusivity, and building confidence in young readers. Stay tuned for more exciting interviews in our Hooked on Books series—there’s plenty more to come, featuring some incredible Forest of Reading nominees. And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our past interviews with fantastic authors like Roz MacLean from Vancouver Island, British Columbia in Celebrating More Than Words and the Power of Expression and Wali Shah from Mississauga, Ontario, and Eric Walters from Guelph, Ontario, in Call Me Al – A Red Maple Nominee You Won’t Want to Miss! Get ready to keep your reading adventure going!