The Next New Syrian Girl

In Rochester Heights in 2018, Syrian-American Khadija is a high school senior who loves boxing and is desperate to leave home and travel with her best friend, Nassima. When she learns that her mother has invited a recently arrived mother/daughter refugee pair to stay with them, she isn't happy about it; instantly, Khadija's mother begins to compare her unfavorably to Leene. Yet, the girls become friends, and as Khadija learns Leene's story, she becomes determined to help her find part of her lost family. Meanwhile, Khadija's younger brother Zain is struggling academically and mental/emotionally with depression, and their surgeon father is rarely home. Khadija finds support through Nassima; Younes, a fellow boxer and possible boyfriend; show more and even Leene, but Zain has no one.

The themes of war, refugee experiences, and survivors' guilt are strong; the plot is solidly constructed; and the settings of the Rochester Heights Syrian-American community and Jordan, where Khadija and Leene eventually travel, are evoked successfully. I felt impatient with Khadija, especially at the beginning, and the writing seemed overwrought and effortful at times. I enjoyed the resolution, and this story is important, but it didn't flow as beautifully and powerfully as some others.

Quotes

...the one thing I love...also allows me to protect myself. (Khadija, 33)

Moving on shouldn't hurt so much. It only hurts me because maybe, somehow, I could've prevented what broke my family apart. But in the end, there are some things that couldn't have been stopped, and so they should be forgotten. (Leene, 54)

...when I'm beside [Leene], all Mama sees are the ways that I'm not her. (65)

The more help I accepted, the more of me washed away. When I ask for help, I accept my status as a refugee. (Leene, 118)

"Khadija, I only want you to be safe and happy."
"You can't guarantee both of those can coexist." (219)

...lost is worse than gone. (Leene, 239)

"Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion." (Muhammad Ali, 292)

"We don't need to be perfect. We need to be real....A real family." (Khadija, 339)

"I love you two exactly the way you are."
"That's not how it feels." (343)

"We're...trying to be all parts of ourselves yet not allowed to be either or all at the same time." (Khadija to Zain, 346)

We are not our suffering. We are the strength that got us through it all. (Leene, 354)

"Everyone has a story. I just needed to hear yours." (Khadija to Leene, 362)

I was wrong. Lost is better than gone. Because there is always, always a chance to find what is lost. (392) show less

teen audio fiction (~11 hours) Syrian/Tunisian-American 12th-grader Khadija meets Syrian refugee Leene, whose family will be living in Khadija's family's home while they get on their feet in Rochester Heights near Detroit, Michigan.

I loved the complex dynamics of the different relationships (mother-daughter, best friend, new friend, sister-brother, 18y.o. and her boy-crush), and also that Khadija is such a badass boxer. Have tissues handy!

This book is a coming-of-age story that is complex and emotional. It explores heavy themes like war and a traumatic past. The last 40% of the story felt rushed but it's a strong character-driven debut novel regardless.

Recommended for anyone who wants to read a book about identity and belonging, character growth, mother and daughter relationships, beautiful friendships, and some clean romance (although the book could have done without the romance part because we don't get to know anything about the guy anyway).

Gr 9 Up—Khadija struggles to be the model daughter, but all that changes when Syrian refugees Leene and her
mother come to live with Khadija's family. Told in alternating viewpoints, with an unforgettable connection between
two young women and the friendship that blooms through challenges, loss, and hope.