A Very Large Expanse of Sea
Written by Tahereh Mafi
Published by HarperCollins
It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped. Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments — even the physical violence — she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother. But then she meets Ocean James. He’s the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her–they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds — and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down.
Primary ISBN: 9780062866561
Publication Date: October 2018
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback,, Audiobook
Young Adult, Age 13 or older
Community Represented: Iranian/Iranian American, Muslim/Muslim American
Themes: Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Cross-Group Dating, Discrimination: Religious, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 1st, Identity: Multiracial, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Muslim
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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