In this gripping novel by the author of the New York Times bestseller Amal Unbound, Hafsa pushes back against her family’s expectations—and discovers her own power.
Hafsa intends to be a doctor one day, so she’s thrilled to be accepted into Bukhari Summer Science Camp for kids who share her dream. Her parents, however, do not share her enthusiasm. They don’t support the idea of girls being doctors, the camp is expensive, and they don’t want to send her off to the big city of Lahore unsupervised. But when her brother-in-law offers to pay, and he and her sister invite her to stay at their house instead of in the dorms, her parents grudgingly give in. Hafsa couldn’t be more excited, but things get off to a shaky start when it immediately becomes apparent that she accidently signed up for the wrong program. And since she’s the only one not staying in the dorms, her fellow students treat her like an outsider—and a country bumpkin. On top of all that, she’s worried about her sister, who seems to have set aside her own career goals to please her in-laws.
But Hafsa’s way is to forge ahead, whether that means finding ways to pursue her medical studies, immersing herself in the climate studies program, or taking a pivotal field trip to the zoo—where an encounter with an elephant leads to several unexpected outcomes. It’s not easy to negotiate being part of a community—and a family—that doesn’t support her dreams, but Hafsa’s never been the type to take no for an answer. She’s determined to grab any chance she can for a better future, no matter what the odds are stacked against her.
Aisha Saeed is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Matchmaker. She also writes books for younger readers, including Amal Unbound, Written in the Stars, Yes No Maybe So (co-authored with Becky Albertalli), and Forty Words for Love. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her family.
View titles by Aisha Saeed
“This companion to Amal Unbound and Omar Rising highlights challenges that girls face in traditional households. Hafsa’s persistence and advocacy help her overcome her insecurities, and meaningful interactions create moments of introspection and understanding. Inspired by a real-life story from the Islamabad Zoo, this is a timely story. . . . Effectively blends climate change, wildlife conservation, and the tug of cultural expectations. An inspiring story showing the power of one person’s voice to make a difference.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Through Hafsa, Saeed artfully illustrates the challenges of trying to meet familial expectations while also forging one’s own path and making the most of life in an ever-changing world. . . . Hafsa’s desire to help both herself and others succeed is inspiring. This standalone companion to Amal Unbound will satisfy Saeed's existing fans and entice newcomers to her work.” —Booklist
In this gripping novel by the author of the New York Times bestseller Amal Unbound, Hafsa pushes back against her family’s expectations—and discovers her own power.
Hafsa intends to be a doctor one day, so she’s thrilled to be accepted into Bukhari Summer Science Camp for kids who share her dream. Her parents, however, do not share her enthusiasm. They don’t support the idea of girls being doctors, the camp is expensive, and they don’t want to send her off to the big city of Lahore unsupervised. But when her brother-in-law offers to pay, and he and her sister invite her to stay at their house instead of in the dorms, her parents grudgingly give in. Hafsa couldn’t be more excited, but things get off to a shaky start when it immediately becomes apparent that she accidently signed up for the wrong program. And since she’s the only one not staying in the dorms, her fellow students treat her like an outsider—and a country bumpkin. On top of all that, she’s worried about her sister, who seems to have set aside her own career goals to please her in-laws.
But Hafsa’s way is to forge ahead, whether that means finding ways to pursue her medical studies, immersing herself in the climate studies program, or taking a pivotal field trip to the zoo—where an encounter with an elephant leads to several unexpected outcomes. It’s not easy to negotiate being part of a community—and a family—that doesn’t support her dreams, but Hafsa’s never been the type to take no for an answer. She’s determined to grab any chance she can for a better future, no matter what the odds are stacked against her.
Aisha Saeed is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Matchmaker. She also writes books for younger readers, including Amal Unbound, Written in the Stars, Yes No Maybe So (co-authored with Becky Albertalli), and Forty Words for Love. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her family.
View titles by Aisha Saeed
Praise
“This companion to Amal Unbound and Omar Rising highlights challenges that girls face in traditional households. Hafsa’s persistence and advocacy help her overcome her insecurities, and meaningful interactions create moments of introspection and understanding. Inspired by a real-life story from the Islamabad Zoo, this is a timely story. . . . Effectively blends climate change, wildlife conservation, and the tug of cultural expectations. An inspiring story showing the power of one person’s voice to make a difference.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Through Hafsa, Saeed artfully illustrates the challenges of trying to meet familial expectations while also forging one’s own path and making the most of life in an ever-changing world. . . . Hafsa’s desire to help both herself and others succeed is inspiring. This standalone companion to Amal Unbound will satisfy Saeed's existing fans and entice newcomers to her work.” —Booklist
