Longlisted for the National Book Award

“Nothing short of magic.” (Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times best-selling author of The Poet X)

From the acclaimed poet featured on Forbes Africa’s “30 Under 30” list, this powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have been. Woven through with moments of lyrical beauty, this is a tender meditation on family, belonging, and home.

my mother meant to name me     for her favorite flower
its sweetness     garlands made     for pretty girls
i imagine her    yasmeen     bright & alive
& i ache to have been born her     instead

Nima wishes she were someone else. She doesn’t feel understood by her mother, who grew up in a different land. She doesn’t feel accepted in her suburban town; yet somehow, she isn't different enough to belong elsewhere. Her best friend, Haitham, is the only person with whom she can truly be herself. Until she can't, and suddenly her only refuge is gone

As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen - the name her parents meant to give her at birth - Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might be more real than Nima knows.  And the life Nima wishes were someone else's... is one she will need to fight for with a fierceness she never knew she possessed.