The Lines We Cross

Gr 9 Up--Mina, her mother, and her stepfather, Afghani refugees in Sydney, Australia, are moving out of multicultural Auburn into a more homogenous, wealthy neighborhood to open a halal restaurant. Michael is the obedient son of the founder of Aussie Values, an anti-immigration group. The two teens meet at Mina's new school, where she is on scholarship. Michael is immediately smitten with witty, self-possessed, intelligent Mina. He falls hard and has to figure out what he believes, because if he is anti-immigration, he is anti-Mina. Mina struggles with trusting Michael, whose family is clearly no ally to hers and whose best friend is a complete jerk. Told from the protagonists' alternating perspectives, this work presents a multifaceted look at a Muslim teen. Mina and Michael's relationship is threatened by direct attacks perpetrated by Aussie Values on Mina's family's restaurant. Their love develops amid (mostly) well-meaning but flawed family and friends. Abdel-Fattah explores teen nerdiness, sexuality, cruelty, compassion, family pressure, neglect, and loyalty. She is a master at conveying themes of tolerance, working in humor, and weaving multiple emotionally complex points of view. VERDICT A timely and compassionate portrait of the devastating losses of refugees, political conflicts within a family and a nation, and the astounding capacity of young people to identify hate and yet act with empathy and love. A must-purchase for all collections.--Sara Lissa Paulson, City-As-School High School, New York City

Originally published in Australia, Abdel-Fattah's novel about a blossoming teenage romance could hardly be more timely; although set in Sydney, the book is acutely relevant to American readers. Michael's first glimpse of Mina is from the opposing side of a protest: she is demonstrating for refugees' rights, and he is with Aussie Values, a nationalist group founded by his father. Smitten, Michael is surprised to find that Mina is a new student in his prestigious and predominantly white high school. Their testy first exchange sets the stage for a typical opposites-attract story, except that it reveals their deep-seated differences about Mina's presence in Australia. An Afghan refugee who arrived by boat ("jumping the queue," according to Aussie Values) more than 10 years earlier, Mina has left her diverse neighborhood and school thanks to a scholarship. As she adjusts to her new environment, Michael struggles to align his evolving feelings with his family's outspoken principles. Abdel-Fattah (Where the Streets Had a Name) delivers an engaging romance within a compelling exploration of the sharply opposing beliefs that tear people apart, and how those beliefs can be transformed through human relationships. Ages 12-up. (May)

Praise for The Lines We Cross:

* [T]his book could not be more necessary. Deserving of wide readership and discussion. — Booklist, starred review

* A meditation on a timely subject that never forgets to put its characters and their stories first. — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Abdel-Fattah (Where the Streets Had a Name) delivers an engaging romance within a compelling exploration of the sharply opposing beliefs that tear people apart, and how those beliefs can be transformed through human relationships. — Publishers Weekly

Abdel-Fattah . . . is a master at conveying themes of tolerance, working in humor, and weaving multiple emotionally complex points of view. A timely and compassionate portrait of the devastating losses of refugees, political conflicts within a family and a nation, and the astounding capacity of young people to identify hate and yet act with empathy and love. A must-purchase for all collections. — School Library Journal

A Romeo and Juliet story for our times . . . Abdel-Fattah offers young readers immeasurable perspective into a present-day crisis. — BookPage

Timely, relevant and quite thought-provoking. — RT Book Reviews

An unflinching look at refugees, immigration, religion and Islamophobia . . . This timely book explores the emotionally and politically charged atmosphere behind immigration . . . putting personal stories to issues many only read about in the news. — Bustle

Praise for Where the Streets Had a Name:

*This novel is an important addition to a very small body of existing books that tell the Palestinian story for young people, and an intensely realistic setting brings that story to life. It is full of humor, adventure, and family love, but doesn't try to hide the heartbreaking and often bitter reality of life under Occupation. Abdel-Fattah manages to walk the line of truth-telling and sensitivity. — School Library Journal, starred review

Hayaat's immediate, wry, and irreverent narrative intensifies the story of anguished struggle and Palestinian politics . . . The suspense builds . . . to heartbreaking revelations. — Booklist

A refreshing and hopeful teen perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian dilemma. — Kirkus Reviews

Abdel-Fattah (Does My Head Look Big in This?) crafts a classic quest . . . The heroine's courage, warmth, and humor despite mounting challenges will win over readers — Publishers Weekly

Praise for Ten Things I Hate About Me:

Written with insight, humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah introduces a winning Muslim-Australian heroine who discovers that 'honesty is liberating.' — Kirkus Reviews

The teen's present-tense narrative is as hilarious as the narrator's in Abdel-Fattah's first book and is just as honest about the shocking prejudice against Muslims. Teens will love the free-flowing, funny dialogue, even as they recognize their own ways of covering up who they are. — Booklist

The author brings a welcome sense of humor to Jamilah's insights about her culture, and she is equally adept at more delicate scenes. . . . For all the defining details, Jamilah is a character teens will readily relate to. — Publishers Weekly

Beautifully written with well-developed characters, this novel raises very relevant questions about racism and identity that teens of any culture or religion will relate to. — Romantic Times

The book will . . . appeal to teens who like stories about outsiders finding their place in the world. — School Library Journal

Praise for Does My Head Look Big In This?:

*This breakthrough debut novel . . . [is a] funny, touching contemporary narrative [that] will grab teens everywhere. — Booklist, starred review

*Amal... emerges a bright, articulate heroine true to herself and her faith. Abdel-Fattah's fine first novel offers a world of insight. — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Refreshing . . . a valuable book. — New York Times Book Review

[A] witty, sensitive debut." — People Magazine"With an engaging narrator at the helm, Abdel-Fattah's debut novel should open the eyes of many a reader . . . Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason. — Publishers Weekly