Unsettled

by Reem Faruqi (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

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

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.

Select format:
Paperback
$9.99

Kirkus

Starred Review

 Lyrical. Hopeful. Poignant.

 

ALA/Booklist

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

Copyright 2021 Booklist, LLC Used with permission

School Library Journal

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.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission

Reem Faruqi

Reem Faruqi is the award-winning children's book author of Lailah's Lunchbox, which is based on her own experiences as a young Muslim girl immigrating to the United States. She also wrote Amira's Picture Day and I Can Help, and two middle grade novels, Golden Girl and Unsettled. Her award-winning books have received many starred reviews and appeared on various "Best of" lists, including Amira's Picture Day, which was selected as an ALA Notable Book for 2022. After surviving Atlanta traffic and the school drop off, Reem spends her days trying to write, but instead gets distracted easily by her camera and buttery sunlight. She lives with her husband and three daughters. You can find her at www.ReemFaruqi.com.

Asma Enayeh, like Yusra, grew up in Damascus, Syria, and is honored and thrilled to illustrate a story so close to her heart. A full-time children's book artist, Asma has illustrated several previous books including Olive and Charlotte, a tale of two princess sisters, and The Unbreakable Thread about the bond between a mother and child. Besides creating art for her next book, Asma enjoys crafting sweet treats in the kitchen and playing her sport of choice: tennis. An enthusiastic traveler, Asma has visited more than 27 countries, and currently lives in Dubai with her husband and two daughters. Find her online at www.asmaoriginal.com.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063044715
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
September 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV039250 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
JUV030110 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Middle East
JUV032060 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Water Sports
JUV070000 - Juvenile Fiction | Poetry (see also Stories in Verse)
Library of Congress categories
Fiction
United States
Family life
Novels in verse
Muslims
Swimming
Pakistani Americans
Immigration

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!