For fans
of Other Words for Home and Front Desk, this
powerful, charming own voices immigration story follows a girl who moves
from Karachi, Pakistan, to Peachtree City, Georgia, and must find her footing in
a new world. Reem Faruqi is the ALA Notable author of award-winning Lailah's
Lunchbox.
""A lyrical
coming of age story exploring family, immigration, and most of all belonging.
Nurah is a compelling main character who I was rooting for all the way
through."" —Aisha Saeed, New York
Times bestselling author of Amal
Unbound
“This empowering story will resonate with people who have struggled to both fit in and stay true to themselves.” —Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor author of The Night Diary
“A gorgeously written story, filled with warmth and depth."" —Hena Khan, author of Amina’s Voice
When her family moves from Pakistan
to Peachtree City, all Nurah wants is to blend in, yet she stands out for all the
wrong reasons. Nurah’s accent, floral-print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make
her feel excluded, until she meets Stahr at swimming tryouts. And in the water
Nurah doesn’t want to blend in. She wants to win medals like her star athlete
brother, Owais—who is going through struggles of his own in the U.S. Yet when
sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision of betrayal
that changes their fates.
Ultimately
Nurah slowly gains confidence in the form of strong swimming arms, and also
gains the courage to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and
find her place.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
Reem Faruqi is the award-winning author of Unsettled, Golden Girl, Anisa’s International Day, Call Me Adnan, Swimming Toward a Dream, Do You Even Know Me?, The House Without Lights, and Zarina Divided. She is also the author of the ALA Notable picture books Lailah’s Lunchbox and Amira’s Picture Day as well as the acclaimed Milloo’s Mind and I Can Help. Of Pakistani descent, Reem immigrated to Peachtree City, Georgia, in the United States from the United Arab Emirates when she was thirteen years old. Reem is also a teacher and photographer who loves to doodle. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and four daughters. Visit her online at reemfaruqi.com.