How to Free a Jinn

by Raidah Shah Idil

Overview

Aru Shah meets Aladdin in this fast-paced debut middle grade fantasy about a curious girl who discovers she has the power to control an all-powerful jinn.

Insyirah’s calm, orderly world falls into chaos when her proud nenek (grandmother) has a bad fall, and Insyirah and her mother must move back to Malaysia to take care of her.

Her new home holds wild and dangerous mysteries, and while finding her feet, Insyirah discovers a shocking secret: the women in her family can control jinn—powerful, ancient jungle spirits—and, one day, she will inherit one of her own. What’s more, her new school is haunted by an evil spirit determined to force her out of Malaysia.

As Insyirah discovers the fascinating ways of the seen and unseen worlds, she finds danger around every corner. And when her family situation grows perilous, she must gather all her resilience to overcome unexpected obstacles and make a life-changing decision.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665982641
Publisher:	Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	11/04/2025
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Raidah Shah Idil was born in Singapore; grew up in Sydney, Australia; worked in Amman, Jordan; and now lives in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, with her husband, three children, and mother-in-law. Raidah earned her BA in English and BSc in psychology from the University of New South Wales and her Diploma of Counselling from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. Raidah loves ginger tea and noodle soup and dreams of uninterrupted sleep. How to Free a Jinn is her first book.

Editorial Reviews

"A Malay Muslim tween contends with the consequences of a generational connection with spirits in Idil’s energetic debut...Syirah’s relationship with Malaysian culture, as well as her desire to overcome her perceived limitations to protect herself and her loved ones, adds dimensionality to this bustling mythological adventure." —Publishers Weekly

"A Malay Muslim tween contends with the consequences of a generational connection with spirits in Idil’s energetic debut...Syirah’s relationship with Malaysian culture, as well as her desire to overcome her perceived limitations to protect herself and her loved ones, adds dimensionality to this bustling mythological adventure." —Publishers Weekly

This delightful coming-of-age tale weaves humor, deep family bonds, steadfast faith, and mythology into a wholly believable narrative...An intriguing exploration of mysticism and religion, centering on a strong and deeply relatable girl. —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2025-07-03
In this debut, a young Malay Muslim girl confronts difficult choices as she grapples with her matrilineal legacy—an inherited bond to jungle spirits called jinn.

Twelve-year-old Insyirah Abdullah isnot happy. Her mother’s decision to uproot her from Sydney, Australia, and return to Malaysia is causing her anxiety to peak beyond its normally high level. Nenek, her widowed maternal grandmother, needs more help, which is understandable—but things are already tense between Nenek and Mama, and Kuala Lumpur is insufferably hot and humid. Plus, there’s Nenek’s and Mama’s unnerving talk about “the unseen realm” and spirits that have the power to harm as well as protect. At least school begins well. Syirah makes two new friends who are also outsiders: Nadia (who’s Indian Muslim) and Kai Xin (who’s Chinese Malaysian). But things quickly deteriorate as she discovers that her school is haunted, her mother got entangled with a spirit as a young woman, and Nenek is hiding something serious. With help from Ari, a youthful spirit, and her aikido teacher, Sensei Bilqis, who’s a part-jinn master of exorcism, Syirah steps up to fight for freedom, equality, and peace. In the process, she redefines an ancient bond her family has with a special guardian spirit. This delightful coming-of-age tale weaves humor, deep family bonds, steadfast faith, and mythology into a wholly believable narrative. Cultural elements, including mouthwatering descriptions of Malaysian food, enrich the story.

An intriguing exploration of mysticism and religion, centering on a strong and deeply relatable girl.(Fantasy. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews