10/01/2021
Gr 7 Up—A story of Desi friendship, family, honor, love, and dancing. Seventeen-year-old Pakistani American Arsalan Nizami has lived with his great-grandfather, "Nana," since his mother's death. Raised with contempt for technology and modern pop culture, the teen is bright, but friendless and awkward. When he meets Beenish Siraj, nicknamed "Beans," who enrolls him in a dance competition, the two clash constantly because they come from different worlds. But as they grow closer, they see that they also share similarities. For example, Beans no longer talks to her mom, and Arsalan is away from his alcoholic and abusive father. Beans opens up Arsalan's social circle, not only through dancing but also by introducing him to new people and 21st-century culture. Though the story starts slow, the plot eventually gains momentum and each individual is fully developed into a complex character. There is much discussion of the Desi Muslim community in America and some of its internal conflicts. The family and friendship issues discussed in this book are deep and layered, which makes for a very well-developed story. VERDICT A great purchase for libraries, especially those serving Desi communities and collections where there are gaps in representation.—Carol Youssif, Taipei American Sch., Taiwan
2021-08-16
Arsalan Nizami is looking for love.
Seventeen-year-old Arsalan has a lot to consider: Apart from contemplating an arranged marriage, he’s integrating into a public high school after being home-schooled and is suddenly meeting peers who use 21st-century references in their conversations, a big change from his etymology-obsessed great-grandfather Nana’s passion for Old English. The Sacramento teen is also looking for a rishta aunty, hoping a matchmaker can secure his future before his 100-year-old Nana passes away. Having lost his mother in a car accident two years ago, and not being on good terms with his abusive, alcoholic, absentee father, Arsalan is alone with Nana as his only real family. Enter Beenish “Beans” Siraj, his free spirit of a classmate who is also Muslim and Pakistani American. Beans has a proposal for Arsalan. If he helps her out by being her dance partner, part of a special plan she has to disrupt her sister’s wedding, she will set him up with dates in exchange. Masood has crafted each of his characters with care, using them to explore topics such as grief, domestic violence, divorce, addiction, and religious differences. Despite the seriousness of these subjects, Arsalan’s hapless, earnest, and socially naïve narration adds humor and lightness to this story of finding your place in the world despite feeling like a misfit.
An evocative, charming tale of two types of families, the one you are born into and the one you choose. (Fiction. 13-18)
Praise for Sway with Me:
"Syed Masood is my favorite YA author, and this story and these characters are exactly why. Rich with culture, touched with hilarity, immersed in heart, Sway with Me made me laugh one moment and wipe tears from my cheeks in the very next. Masood is an auto-buy for me."—Erin Hahn, author of More Than Maybe and Never Saw You Coming
"Earnest, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud charming, Sway with Me is a book that will warm your heart in all the best places. A must-read for anyone who loves found families and finding love in unexpectedly perfect places."—Emma Lord, author of Tweet Cute
"Sway with Me is as big-hearted and hilarious as it is masterfully affecting. Arsalan is a loyal old soul who will steal your heart from page one as his lonely world becomes filled with found family, first love, and dance. Nothing short of magnificent."—Nina Moreno, author of Don’t Date Rosa Santos and Our Way Back to Always
* "A strong sense of humor pervades Masood’s (More Than Just a Pretty Face) sophomore YA novel...while Arsalan’s past serves as just the right amount of darkness to balance the light that Beenish brings into his life."—Publishers Weekly
"An evocative, charming tale of two types of families, the one you are born into and the one you choose."—Kirkus Reviews
"Will bring both laughter and heartache to readers. The story provides a look at how religion often defines families and how family and friends can help you stay strong and grow even when things look bleak and dire. Written with humor, this romance takes a look at how we all just want to figure out how we fit in this world."—SLC
"A story of Desi friendship, family, honor, love, and dancing.... Each individual is fully developed into a complex character.... The family and friendship issues discussed in this book are deep and layered, which makes for a very well-developed story."—SLJ
"Funny, open-hearted, and utterly charming, More Than Just a Pretty Face perfectly captures the joys of friendship and first love, as well as all the complexities of identity, faith, and family. This is a spectacular debut."—Katie Henry, author of Heretics Anonymous
"A deliciously entertaining rom-com that delivers genuine cultural insight while questioning societal norms. Danyal is hilarious, authentic, and disarmingly humble, though I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all the vivid and multifaceted characters in the book."—Nandini Bajpai, author of A Match Made in Mehendi
"Hilarious and teeming with heart, More Than Just a Pretty Face challenged me, wounded me, made me laugh, and made me love. Danyal has secured his place as a heroic protagonist for the ages who only wants the very best for those he loves. His friends and family are so lucky to have him, and readers will be lucky to have Syed M. Masood's debut. I am a forever fan."—Erin Hahn, author of You'd Be Mine and More Than Maybe
"Fresh, funny, and timely, More Than Just a Pretty Face is a wildly entertaining, stereotype-shattering rom-com debut. Total Netflix movie material."—Sarah Henning, author of Throw Like a Girl and the Sea Witch dulology
"A laugh-out-loud yet heartwarming story about familial obligations, friendship, and love. Syed M. Masood has created an unforgettable cast of characters with the utterly charming, hilarious, and most endearing Danyal Jilani at the center of it. A thoroughly enjoyable read and a great addition to any bookshelf."
—Sabina Khan, author of The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
"I couldn't have been more charmed by Danyal, the hapless pretty-boy and aspiring chef. One of the most unique and likable characters I've come across.This book has such a kind, expansive heart, and I'm immensely thankful that it exists.—Rahul Kanakia, author of We Are Totally Normal
"Masood deftly explores religion, culture, class, and awkward teenage love in this refreshingly candid 'tell it like it is' desi romantic comedy. You'll root hard for Danyal and will be two-fists-high-in-the-air overjoyed when you get to the end."—Suzanne Park, author of The Perfect Escape and Loathe at First Sight
"More Than Just A Pretty Face is the kind of book I've been searching formy entire life!Not only is ithilarious and heartwarming, with characters you can't help but be charmed by, but it honestly portrays the pressures of living up to family expectations and how history shapes our present and future. This is a must-read for everyone."—Adiba Jaigirdar, author of The Henna Wars
"Entertaining.... [A] broadly relatable story that offers plenty of food for thought. Readers will root for Danyal as he evolves and proves he is more than meets the eye. A charming teen romance with real substance."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A humorous exploration of [the novel's] characters' desi backgrounds, touching upon familial and religious expectations.... Vivid."
—Publishers Weekly
"Danyal's seismic character arc, Bisma and his and evolving love, and fascinating historical insights make for an entertaining read."—Booklist
"[Danyal] grapples with both historical prejudices against India and contemporary prejudices within his own community..... Refreshing.... [A] delightful debut."
—SLJ
"Beenish and Arsalan are in sync in when they are learning the dance steps but clash in matters of the hearts – he’s old school and she’s new age romantic, but their attraction is undeniable. Will their hearts sync at the end of the wedding?"—Elle India, #ELLERecommends 6 Books Where Wedding Plays Cupid
Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022.—Bank Street College of Education
