Another amazing Orca Echoes title. Genie Meanie by Mahtab Narsimhan and Michelle Simpson is an empowering story about standing up to a bully.

Kiara and her best friend Bai have been the target of bully Matt’s wrath for fall too long now. This year they have decided it needs to stop, they need to stand up to him. Things don’t go so well and even threatens their friendship. On top of that, Kiara discovers a genie named Zayn in the things her grandmother left her but he has decided to be on vacation and is seemingly not helping with the Matt situation.

This book will empower readers to stand up to the Matt’s in their lives. It will also open a door to conversation with a trusted adult if they are facing a bully like Matt. The Bee really enjoyed this story and it was an excellent way to talk to her about bullying and what to do if she’s in a situation like Kiara or if she sees someone being hurt like Kiara and Bai. We both really enjoyed how Zayn, the genie, didn’t solve Kiara’s problem for her but showed her the tools she has within herself to stand up to Matt. I also love how both Bia and Kiara are fiercely proud of their cultural heritage and have a friendly competition over which country is best China or India. It’s a fun little game they play but it also shows readers that they too can have pride in their history, in the places they or their ancestors arrived from.