Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

You are invited to the Alexandria Academy . . .

Twelve-year-old Shad Hadid has never quite fit in. The other kids at school don’t understand him, so he spends most of his time alone, cooking for his teta and daydreaming of opening his own Arabic bakery full of tasty treats. But when Shad is attacked by a shadowy monster, he learns his late baba was an alchemist with the ability to mix charms, elixirs, and mists—and he’s one too.Then Shad receives an invitation to the mysterious Alexandria Academy, a fabled school for alchemists, where he hopes he’ll find safety and learn more about the ancient science. But when he arrives, no one at the school seems to know what alchemy is. As Shad digs deeper into the mystery, he discovers a sinister evil lurking in the shadows, and only he holds the key to stopping—or fulfilling—their plans. With danger at every turn and the fate of the alchemy world on the line, can Shad save his friends and defeat this sinister foe?With sweeping stakes and action-packed adventure, George Jreije has created the perfect recipe for magical fun in this hilarious and charming middle grade debut.

About the Author

George Jreije is a Lebanese American author of novels as well as short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF. When not writing, George enjoys trying tasty Arab desserts or messing with new yoga poses. You can find him in the Northeast or in his native Lebanon, scouring the small country for some delicious baklava. Learn more about George at georgejreije.com.