Unsettled

By Reem Faruqi

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063044722

Reem Faruqi

Reem Faruqi is the acclaimed author of Do You Even Know Me?, Call Me Adnan, Milloo's Mind, Anisa's International Day, Golden Girl, and Unsettled, which is loosely based on Reem’s own story. She is also the author of ALA Notable Books Lailah’s Lunchbox and Amira’s Picture Day and the award-winning I Can Help. Of Pakistani descent, Reem immigrated to Peachtree City, Georgia, in the United States from the United Arab Emirates when she was thirteen years old. Reem is also a teacher and photographer who loves to doodle. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and three daughters. Visit her online at reemfaruqi.com.

Reviews for Unsettled

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nurah and her family move from Karachi, Pakistan to Peachtree City, Georgia, leaving beloved grandparents behind. Does a beautiful job capturing how hard that transition is, and how much friendships and strong interests can smooth the way -- both Nurah and her brother are ardent swimmers. Deals with some violence against Muslims, a little bit with domestic abuse, and miscarriage, in addition to fear/hate/bullying and standing up as a bystander. Strong messages, great characters. Based off many of the author's experiences when she made a similar move.

[salsabrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nurah's father gets a job in America and the family moves there from Pakistan for the job security and better schools. Nurah misses her grandparents back home and eats alone in the school stairwell at lunchtime. The recreation center swimming pool is her comfort, her blue cocoon where she practices for the swim team. She also meets Stahr, a new friend. Other events roil the family: a miscarriage, a visit from the FBI after a terrorist attack, the beating of Owais, her older brother. In an accessible voice, Nurah relates a story of difference, loneliness, and ultimately hope and resilience. A good companion to "Other Words for Home" by Jasmine Warga.

[deslivres5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lovely and lyrical, I listened to this title about 13 year old Nurah and her family.It is her immigration story, from Pakistan to Georgia, told in verse and was a quick middle grade listen.It is full of emotions -- loss of the people and family left behind, sadness of a grandmother experiencing memory loss, isolation at a new school, newness of US school and burgeoning friendships, motivations to excel in sports, expressing oneself through art, fitting in and standing tall.