Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
Categories
Children’s, Teenage & Educational
Weblink
www.ReemFaruqi.com

UNSETTLED

Reem Faruqi

FRONT DESK meets Veera Hiranandani's THE NIGHT DIARY in Reem Faruqi's debut middle grade novel in verse, UNSETTLED.

When Nurah and her family move from Karachi, Pakistan to Peachtree City, Georgia, she feels like she stands out for all the wrong reasons, especially when all she really wants is to blend in. At school, Nurah's accent, floral print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make her feel ostracized. She eats lunch alone underneath the stairwell, until she meets Stahr when she goes to her first swimming class. Stahr covers her body in the water just like Nurah, but for very different reasons.

But in the water, Nurah doesn't want to blend: she wants to stand out. She wants to win medals like her star athlete brother, Owais, who is going through struggles of his own in America - both in and out of the water. Nurah is learning how to stand up for what she believes in, when sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision not to speak up that leads to a serious hate crime.

Nurah slowly begins to sprout wings in the forms of strong swimming arms, and makes decisions about who she wants to be, which leads her to her first medal in a race, to making amends with her brother, and to her first real friend.

Reem Faruqi is a 2016 ALA Notable Author of the award winning picture book Lailah's Lunchbox. She also has two other picture books coming out in 2021 - Let Me Show You The Way (Eerdmans), and Amira's Picture Day (Holiday House). She too moved to the United States from the United Arab Emirates when she was a young girl. NURAH UNSETTLED is based on Reem's own story.

Available products
Book Published 2021-05-11 by HarperCollins

Comments

This is an insightful and moving narrative that tackles a wide range of salient topics, including ableism, bullying, assimilation, colorism, racial profiling, friendship, miscarriage, and domestic abuse... crafting an unapologetic and authentic look at what it means to grow up Pakistani and Muslim in America... A thought-provoking and engaging coming-of-age story.

UNSETTLED is May/June 2021 Kids' 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

"A 2021 must-read. Immediately captivating Nurah is an inspiring and courageous protagonist. I only wish I could have read a book like this when I growing up. All at once an enlightening and relatable read with a message that cannot be ignored." Stephanie Skees, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, MO

Younger readers, will easily identify or empathize with Nurah as she navigates the tricky art of fitting in while being true to herself.

This story [has] a well-characterized, flawed heroine and a lot of heart.

Faruqi's use of free verse will captivate readers with its metaphors that emphasize feelings and details of daily life.Qureshi's floral and paisley spot art and illustrations of hands with henna designs add delicate beauty. Lyrical. Hopeful. Poignant.

A gorgeously written story, filled with warmth and depth.

Defying cliche, Faruqi paints an unflinchingly honest portrait of a protagonist who makes mistakes - serious mistakes - and whose heroism lies in her ability to own up to her worst errors and do her best to make amends. A story that sends an important message - that people who make bad choices are not bad people.

A lyrical coming of age story exploring family, immigration, and most of all belonging.

Unsettled is the heartfelt story of Nurah, a girl uprooted from Pakistan who must replant herself when her family moves to the United States. Told in beautiful, accessible verse, this is a book about family missed and friendship found, of making mistakes, speaking up, and learning to flourish in the soil of a new home.

This empowering story will resonate with people who have struggled to both fit in and stay true to themselves.

UNSETTLED is a 2021 Nerdie Award Winner 2021 Muslim Bookstagram Award Winner Jane Addams 2022 Children's Book Award Finalist

Nurah's coming-of-age story will inspire readers to step into their own light.

Faruqi's graceful verses shine... as the challenges and successes of each member impact the entire household... Faruqi offers glimpses of her real-life source material, including her family's experiences as Muslim immigrants in September, 2001.