In Samira Abdullahi’s tight-knit Sudanese American Muslim community, her unfounded reputation as a “bad girl” leads to a stifling life of rules imposed by her mother. She longs for the freedom to express herself and dreams of being a poet in New York City. When she’s grounded for the summer—except for her weekly poetry workshop—Samira takes refuge in an online poetry forum, where she begins communicating with a popular poet named Horus. Finally, here is a person with whom she can have real conversations. Flattered by his admiration of both her writing and physical appearance, she soaks up Horus’s attention and even writes him a love poem. Farrah, the instructor of Samira’s workshop, warns Samira that not only does Horus have a reputation for being untrustworthy, he’s also an adult. But Samira cannot—or won’t—give him up, even as he becomes more demanding of her time and attention both online and in person. It’s only when Horus steals Samira’s poem, attempting to pass it off as his own, that Samira dares to stand up to him and reaches out for support. Samira’s naivete and sense of isolation lend themselves to a believable and all-too-common form of manipulation and abuse, but this beautifully written verse novel ends in triumph as Samira repairs her relationship with her mother and stands in solidarity with other survivors.

An unflinching, honest novel in verse about a teenager's journey into the slam poetry scene and the dangerous new relationship that could threaten all her dreams. From the award-winning poet and author of HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY.

A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK • A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD FINALIST • A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, BOOKLIST AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Bad girl. No matter how hard Samira tries, she can’t shake her reputation. She’s never gotten the benefit of the doubt—not from her mother or the aunties who watch her like a hawk.

Samira is determined to have a perfect summer filled with fun parties, exploring DC, and growing as a poet—until a scandalous rumor has her grounded and unable to leave her house. When Samira turns to a poetry forum for solace, she catches the eye of an older, charismatic poet named Horus. For the first time, Samira feels wanted. But soon she’s keeping a bigger secret than ever before—one that that could prove her reputation and jeopardize her place in her community.

In this gripping coming-of-age novel from the critically acclaimed author Safia Elhillo, a young woman searches to find the balance between honoring her family, her artistry, and her authentic self.