Publishers Weekly
★ 01/08/2024
In this audacious novel by Shukairy (The Next New Syrian Girl), a group of Muslim teenagers suspected of a terrorist attack face pressure from the press, the police, and their own families to turn against one another. Dubbed the Six, the teens—Abdullahi, Muzhda, Nasreen, Qays, Samia, and Zamzam—each come from varying backgrounds; some of them are looking forward to bright futures while others are barely surviving their everyday lives. When all six are picked up by police from Monarch Beach after an oil rig explosion on the Fourth of July, they experience overwhelming Islamophobic paranoia from authorities, are denied basic rights upon their detention, and are kept in the dark about their situations. As new evidence is revealed and investigators threaten to drag the teens’ own secrets into the spotlight, the Six are encouraged to inform on one another to secure their freedom. Now, they each must decide where their loyalties lie by opting to frame a friend or work together. Shukairy swings for the fences, breathing life into each of the six leads who narrate this exhilarating read; interweaving relationships establish a credible and indelible emotional through line, and the story’s resolution is both heartbreaking and stunningly executed. Ages 12–up. Agent: Serene Hakim, Ayesha Pande Literary. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Six Truths and a Lie: *"Shukairy swings for the fences, breathing life into each of the six leads who narrate this exhilarating read; interweaving relationships establish a credible and indelible emotional through line, and the story’s resolution is both heartbreaking and stunningly executed."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"Both the writing and story are so intense at times that readers may find they have to stop to take a breath before continuing. Highly recommended for high school students, this would make a great reading group book to discuss."—School Library Journal, starred review
*"Harrowing and heartbreaking, Six Truths and Lie sheds light on the uncomfortable truth that justice is not blind, while demonstrating the inspiring bravery of those who fight for true justice, no matter what it costs."—Bookpage, Starred Review
* "... gorgeously written.... an illuminating read that interrogates themes of war, trauma, and healing."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Praise for The Next New Syrian Girl: * "A story of friendship and family that finds hope through heartbreak." —Kirkus, starred review
* " Emotional, with respites of dry hilarity (plus an adorable halal romance), every page in Shukairy's debut exudes purpose."—Booklist, starred review
"The Next New Syrian Girl is a powerful and (sadly) relevant story...a testament to the power of young girls to change the world when they stand with one another instead of competing like society wants them to. Unputdownable, heart-breaking, and heart healing all at once."—Yamile Saied Méndez, Pura Belpré medalist author of Furia, a Reese’s Book Club selection
“The Next New Syrian Girl is an engrossing, crackling debut. Shukairy kept me tearing through the pages with masterfully executed twists, fraught family dynamics, and the blossoming friendship between Khadija and Leene. Heart-wrenching, heartwarming, and altogether healing.”—Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic
"The Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairy is a remarkable debut. Shukairy's cross-cultural narrative skillfully weaves a rich tapestry of sisterhood, family, and friendship. Examining themes of generational trauma, PTSD, immigration, culture, and religion, Shukairy is unapologetic in asking tough questions about who we become based on the privileges we have or don't have. Shukairy's page turning writing is gracious, humorous, and insightful, offering the reader food for thought and soul. "—Echo Brown, Morris Award finalist and author of Black Girl Unlimited and The Chosen One
“Real, raw, and enthralling, Ream Shukairy crafts a moving story of friendship, redemption, and hope. You’ll fall in love with Khadija and Leene and the journey they take toward each other.” —S. K. Ali, bestselling and award-winning author of Love from A to Z
"A poignant story of two girls who are so different yet the same. Shukairy lays out both sides of a diaspora and a refugee and the longing both feel towards a home that has lost too much. As a Syrian, I was seen. One word to describe this debut: beautiful.” —Zoulfa Katouh author of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
"The Next New Syrian Girl captures the importance of friendship and the complicated journey one undertakes in the present to reconcile both past and future. A heartfelt and multifaceted novel that sings of hope." —Laila Sabreen, author of You Truly Assumed
“The Next New Syrian Girl finds empathy, light, and connections in a story that sheds insight into war, trauma, and loss. Khadija and Leene’s journey will stay with you long after the last page.”—Adiba Jaigirdar, award-winning author of Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating
School Library Journal
★ 06/07/2024
Gr 10 Up—When an explosion rocks a Fourth of July celebration, six Muslim teens are accused of terrorism. All the teens, from various Los Angeles high schools, were attending the annual bonfire sponsored by the Muslim Student Association. Of the six, only two actually knew each other, but before the night is over, they are irrevocably linked forever. Arrested and incarcerated, they experience harsh and unfair treatment because of their homelands and religion. Add to this a police and judicial system that works against them even when knowing the truth, and Shukairy's book is so realistic that it hurts. Each of the six main characters are fully drawn, believable, and sympathetic. The plot structure moves back and forth among the characters and shows each perspective of the events. While the minor gothic element is a bit off-putting and unnecessary, it does not damage the impact of the book. Both the writing and story are so intense at times that readers may find they have to stop to take a breath before continuing. VERDICT Highly recommended for high school students, this would make a great reading group book to discuss.—Janet Hilbun
Kirkus Reviews
2023-12-06
Muslim high school students in Los Angeles are accused of a terrorist attack on the Fourth of July.
When a fatal explosion causes tremendous damage at Monarch Beach, six Muslim teenagers become suspects. The story unfolds in chapters that alternate between the viewpoints of Nasreen Choudhry, who attends a private Catholic school where she’s the only Pakistani American in her classes; Palestinian Arab American Qays Sharif, a soccer player with a 4.4 GPA and a Stanford scholarship; Lebanese and Syrian American social media influencer Samia Al-Samra; Zamzam Thompson, who’s Black and an aspiring doctor; Afghan immigrant Muzhda Ahmad, whose family has a secret; and Sudani American Abdullahi Talib, an EMT in training. Each of them have something to hide from their families as well as complicated family relationships and expectations. Two white investigators, federal agent Kandi Favreau and Detective Micky Pennella, seem determined to use the teens’ Muslim identities and ethnicities to frame them. In her sophomore novel, Shukairy writes leads who have different goals, ambitions, and dreams. She clearly captures each of the characters’ confusion and fear as they are arrested. Facing pressure from family members and lawyers, the young people must decide whether they want to fight for their collective freedom and innocence or frame one another. Tensions run high as the trial proceeds, and readers will be surprised by a twist toward the end. This story of post-9/11 America clearly depicts how lives can change overnight when those in power control the narrative.
A powerful and timely read. (Fiction. 13-18)
