Spilled Ink
Written by Nadia Hashimi
Published by Quill Tree Books
When Yalda hears that her twin brother, Yusuf, will be performing with his band at a local venue, she lets her friends convince her to sneak out to see his show. But the night has something else in store: After the opening band makes some ugly jokes about “terrorists,” Yusuf uses his time in the spotlight for an impulsive stunt responding to the hate speech.
Suddenly, simmering tensions begin boiling over in their Virginia town, where many Afghan refugees have sought safety. When a video of Yusuf’s performance goes viral online, it seems like everyone in town turns against their family’s restaurant, leaving their livelihood in jeopardy. And then Yusuf is seriously injured in a mysterious fall.
Despite her grieving and frightened family, friends she is not sure she can trust, and a town that no longer feels like a safe home, Yalda must try to find her own voice—and do what she can to change her world for the better.
Primary ISBN: 9780063060494
Publication Date: June 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Young Adult, Age 13 or older
Community Represented: Afghan/Afghan American
Themes: Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Friendship, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Immigration Status, Discrimination: Racial, Discrimination: Religious, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Relationship: Siblings, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 1st, Mental Health, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Refugee: War/Conflict, Religious Background: Muslim, Trauma & Healing
Setting: United States (Virginia)
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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