Wave: A Novel in Verse
Written by Diana Farid
Illustrated by Kris Goto
Published by Harry N. Abrams
Thirteen-year-old Ava loves to surf and to sing. Singing and reading Rumi poems settle her mild OCD, and catching waves with her best friend, Phoenix, lets her fit in—her olive skin looks tan, not foreign.
But then Ava has to spend the summer before ninth grade volunteering at the hospital to follow in her single mother’s footsteps to become a doctor. And when Phoenix’s past lymphoma surges back, not even surfing, singing, or poetry can keep them afloat, threatening Ava’s hold on the one place and the one person that make her feel like she belongs.
With ocean-like rhythm and lyricism, Wave is about a girl who rides the waves, tumbles, and finds her way back to the shore.
Primary ISBN: 9781951836580
Publication Date: March 2022
Available As: Hardcover
Middle Grade, Age 10 or older
Community Represented: Iranian/Iranian American, Persian/Persian American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Coming of Age, Cross-Group Friendship, Diverse Abilities: Neurological, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Novel In Verse, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences, Identity: Exploration, Mental Health, Outdoor Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Sports, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Illness
Setting: United States (California)
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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Engagement Projects & Resources:
Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.
Engagement Materials:
Spotify Playlist: For Ava, From Phoenix—Spring 1987
Spotify Playlist: For Phoenix, love Ava—Fall 1987
Source: Harry N. Abrams