Where to Start Reading Danny Ramadan
Danny Ramadan's writing spans multiple formats, from deeply moving adult novels to heartwarming early reader chapter books and a powerful personal memoir. Because his works are standalone stories, the best entry point depends entirely on what kind of book you want to read:
- For Adult Fiction: Start with his award-winning debut novel, The Clothesline Swing. It introduces you to his lyrical writing style, his use of magical realism, and his talent as a modern-day hakawati (storyteller).
- For Young Readers (Ages 6-9): Start with the picture book Salma the Syrian Chef, which sets up the character of Salma before she transitions to the early chapter book series beginning with Salma Makes a Home.
- For Non-Fiction & Biography: Start with Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir, which provides the real-life context of his journey from Damascus to Canada.
The Salma Books: Reading Order and Structure
The Salma series is unique because it began as a standalone picture book before spinning off into a collection of early chapter books. While each story can be enjoyed independently, reading them in publication order lets readers watch Salma and her family settle into their new lives in Canada step-by-step.
1. The Companion Picture Book
- Salma the Syrian Chef (2020) – A picture book introducing Salma, a young Syrian refugee girl living in Vancouver who decides to cook a traditional Syrian dish to cheer up her homesick mother.
2. The Early Chapter Book Series
- Salma Makes a Home (2023) – The first early chapter book. Salma's father finally arrives in Canada, but Salma worries about whether he will feel at home or miss Syria too much.
- Salma Writes a Book (2023) – Salma prepares for the arrival of a new baby sibling and decides to write a guidebook on how to be a great older sister.
- Salma Joins the Team (2024) – Salma joins her school's swim club and has to navigate body image concerns and self-esteem challenges.
- Salma Speaks Up (2025) – Salma and her best friend join the school's Speech Club, where Salma finds the courage to stand up against criticism of their accents.
- Salma Keeps Her Word (Forthcoming 2026) – Salma connects with her visiting grandmother, exploring ways to communicate when they struggle to find the right words in English and Arabic.
Adult Fiction and Standalone Novels
For adult readers, Danny Ramadan writes rich, emotionally complex novels that examine the legacy of war, the challenges of displacement, and the beauty of queer love. These novels are completely standalone and can be read in any order.
- The Clothesline Swing (2017) – Blends magical realism with the stories of two gay men in Damascus who must deal with the aftermath of the Arab Spring and their journey to Canada.
- The Foghorn Echoes (2022) – A dual-narrative novel that follows two boyfriends separated by war in Syria—one who escapes to Vancouver while the other remains in Damascus, both haunted by their shared past.
- A Saltwater Requiem (Forthcoming April 2027) – An upcoming historical fiction novel that follows a Syrian family aboard the Titanic, mixing Levantine folklore with intergenerational history.
Non-Fiction and Memoirs
- Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir (2024) – A non-fiction account of Danny's early life in Damascus, his work running an underground safe house for LGBTQ+ individuals, his experiences as a refugee, and his eventual resettlement and advocacy in Canada.
Short Stories and Anthologies
- Today I Am: 10 Stories of Belonging (2024) – A middle-grade anthology edited by Jael Richardson. Danny Ramadan contributed a short story titled "A Feathered Sakr" to this collection of stories focused on BIPOC youth finding their place in the world.
What to Know Before You Start
Danny Ramadan's works are heavily informed by his personal history as a Syrian refugee and LGBTQ+ activist. His writing style is deeply poetic, often incorporating traditional Arab oral storytelling traditions. When reading his adult novels, readers should expect raw depictions of war, trauma, homophobia, and the challenges of immigration, though they are consistently balanced with themes of joy, community, and resilient love.