Since emigrating from Bangladesh, fourteen-year-old Nadira and her family have been living in New York City on expired visas, hoping to realize their dream of becoming legal US citizens. But after 9/11, everything changes. Suddenly being Muslim means you are dangerous-a suspected terrorist. When Nadira's father is arrested and detained at the US-Canadian border, Nadira and her older sister, Aisha, are told to carry on as if everything is the same. The teachers at Flushing High don't ask any questions, but Aisha falls apart. Nothing matters to her anymore-not even college. It's up to Nadira to be the strong one and bring her family back together again.
"Inspiring and timely, this novel explores one of the most difficult issues facing the United States today in a compelling and highly readable way."
Children's Literature
"The events of the novel are powerful enough to engage readers' attention and will make them pause to consider the effects of a legal practice that preys on prejudice and fear."
Publishers Weekly
"A moving first-person, present-tense narrative…The teen voice is wonderfully immediate, revealing Nadira's mixed-up feelings as well as the diversity in her family and the Muslim community…Readers will feel the heartbreak, prejudice, kindness, and fear."
