review: The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class: Fia Hosein Finds Her Beat

(audio version has additional content)

review: The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class: Fia Hosein Finds Her Beat by Tracey Baptiste; illustrated by Kat Fajardo.
date: Little, Brown, 10 Mar 2026
main character: Fia Hosein
early middle grade reader

I haven’t spent much time with early middle grade books but after reading The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class: Fia Hosein Finds Her Beat, I may be reading more. After all, these are the books that introduce young readers to more complex stories, and that really instill that lifelong love of reading. Tracey Baptiste has written across so many genres that she knows a multitude of devices that pull in young readers. In this illustrated work of fiction, she connects with her roots in Trinidad and Tobago to write about the experiences of Fia Hosein whose family just moved to Peppermint Falls.

They cherish their Caribbean culture and really enjoy immersing themselves in their new homeland. Fia is an adventurous, outgoing young girl who can’t wait to play in snow for the first time. But out of nowhere, her friend Olive tells her, “You sound like one of us now…Less…Trini.” Fia spends the bulk of the story struggling with what losing this piece of her identity means to her. The calypso rhythm of her voice is echoed in everything from the video conversations with her grandparents in the Caribbean to the steelpan drums she enjoys playing. She doesn’t want to lose it!

The kids in Mrs Z’s class are so open and accepting of each other because of the way they are supported and nurtured by the adults around them. In no time, without even realizing it they’re reaffirming Fia and helped her get through her crisis.

“But, I’m also not that different from who I was when I left Trinidad and Tobago,” Fia added. “Just a little bit changed. a slightly different Fia Hosein.”
“Is that good?” Ayana asked.
“Yeah,” Fia said. Definitely.
She liked this Fia Hosein. She liked her very much.

Be well and do good

Filed under: Reviews