A Zibby Summer Reads pick: Middle Grade Novels! Hena Khan, DRAWING DEENA

Zibby interviews award-winning Pakistani American author Hena Khan about DRAWING DEENA, a nuanced and quietly powerful middle-grade novel about a young artist determined to manage her anxiety, help her parents, and forge her own creative path. Hena delves into Deena's stresses, from her difficulty finding her artistic style to her parents’ arguments and financial concerns. She also shares talks about THE DOOR IS OPEN, the warm-hearted collection of interconnected stories she recently edited that celebrates the diversity of South Asian experiences in a local community center. 

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4dxAI5r

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights, which includes a free weekly newsletter, event livestreams, most anticipated book lists, personal essays, and a new essay platform with stories from all of you about what chapters you're in (inspired by my upcoming book Between Chapters: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot, 9/22/26). And follow me on Instagram @zibbyowens. But really, keep listening here. If you love my show, please tell a friend!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.