This book is quite serious although it's both easy and compelling to read.
Salahudin is dealing with a very sick mom, a despondent and alcoholic dad, a family business that is not staying afloat, 6 months into a fight with his best friend, and just generally struggling in all areas of life
Noor is on the other side of the best friend fight, which leaves her not only without Salahudin, but also without his mom, who is basically a mom to her. Noor and Salahudin are both Pakistani, two of very few in their town. Noor came to live with her uncle in America when she was 6, after an earthquake killed everyone in her family except her. Her uncle despises Pakistani culture and the Muslim religion, effectively banning it from his home and looking down on anyone who practices. Noor used Salahudin's family as a way to be close to that heritage. Her uncle gave up his education to take care of her, a fact she is constantly reminded of, and he doesn't want her to go to college as a form of petty revenge. She's been applying behind his back and is awaiting her results.
This is one of those books that is more of a slice of life story than really about any specific plot necessarily. It follows Noor and Salahudin through a few months of their lives - bad things happen, but at least the bad things bring them back together as friends. Salahudin becomes involved with some shady ways of keeping the family business afloat, Noor has her own very serious struggles with her uncle, and their story is really just about how they get through their issues both separately and together. The story DEFINITELY culminates into a pressure point, and we also delve heavily into the fallout from that. I'm intentionally being vague just because I went into the book blind about the content and I think it was a great way to go. However, be mindful of content warnings, which the author lists at the beginning of the book.
Interwoven with the kids' storylines are passages from Salahudin's mom, Misbah, about her life in Pakistan from meeting Salahudin's dad onto living in America, buying the hotel they owned, having Salahudin, and onward. I really liked the addition of her storyline and the eventual way it tied in with the kids'.
There is a lot covered in this book, but none of it is in a teachy way, just narrative. It offers teens an avenue to come to their own conclusions about the subject matter at hand. I think that helps a story be told FOR teens instead of TO teens.
I know Sabaa Tahir has had a history of writing fantasy, but I think she might be onto something with her contemporary adventure. Some of the prose is really profound, but none of it is so complex that it becomes difficult to read or understand. Definitely recommend for both teens and grownups.
Salahudin is dealing with a very sick mom, a despondent and alcoholic dad, a family business that is not staying afloat, 6 months into a fight with his best friend, and just generally struggling in all areas of life
Noor is on the other side of the best friend fight, which leaves her not only without Salahudin, but also without his mom, who is basically a mom to her. Noor and Salahudin are both Pakistani, two of very few in their town. Noor came to live with her uncle in America when she was 6, after an earthquake killed everyone in her family except her. Her uncle despises Pakistani culture and the Muslim religion, effectively banning it from his home and looking down on anyone who practices. Noor used Salahudin's family as a way to be close to that heritage. Her uncle gave up his education to take care of her, a fact she is constantly reminded of, and he doesn't want her to go to college as a form of petty revenge. She's been applying behind his back and is awaiting her results.
This is one of those books that is more of a slice of life story than really about any specific plot necessarily. It follows Noor and Salahudin through a few months of their lives - bad things happen, but at least the bad things bring them back together as friends. Salahudin becomes involved with some shady ways of keeping the family business afloat, Noor has her own very serious struggles with her uncle, and their story is really just about how they get through their issues both separately and together. The story DEFINITELY culminates into a pressure point, and we also delve heavily into the fallout from that. I'm intentionally being vague just because I went into the book blind about the content and I think it was a great way to go. However, be mindful of content warnings, which the author lists at the beginning of the book.
Interwoven with the kids' storylines are passages from Salahudin's mom, Misbah, about her life in Pakistan from meeting Salahudin's dad onto living in America, buying the hotel they owned, having Salahudin, and onward. I really liked the addition of her storyline and the eventual way it tied in with the kids'.
There is a lot covered in this book, but none of it is in a teachy way, just narrative. It offers teens an avenue to come to their own conclusions about the subject matter at hand. I think that helps a story be told FOR teens instead of TO teens.
I know Sabaa Tahir has had a history of writing fantasy, but I think she might be onto something with her contemporary adventure. Some of the prose is really profound, but none of it is so complex that it becomes difficult to read or understand. Definitely recommend for both teens and grownups.