A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year - Kid's Indie Next List
- Featured in Today Show's AAPI Heritage Month list - A
Kirkus Children's Best Book of 2021 - A National Council of Teachers
of English Notable Verse Novel - Jane Addams 2022 Children's Book Award
Finalist - 2021 Nerdy Award Winner - Muslim Bookstagram Award Winner for
Best Middle School Book
For fans of Other Words for Home and Front Desk, this powerful,
charming 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." --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.
