The newest book from Hena Khan, author of Amina’s Voice and More to the Story, is all about finding your voice through art!

Deena wants nothing more than to become an artist. Her mom says that art isn’t practical and wants her to focus on her schoolwork, but when Deena meets Salma, a young Pakistani American artist like her, her determination to pursue her passion doubles.

But Deena’s art isn’t the only thing on her mind. She often falls asleep to her parents arguing about money, which is tight in her household right now. In the mornings, Deena wakes up with a stomachache and doesn’t know why. So she and her cousin Parisa devise a plan to help out her mom’s Pakistani clothing business via social media, which Deena hopes will also help her mom to relax a little more.

As Deena’s life begins to change, she must learn what her relationship with her art and her family is, using her creativity to stand up for herself and her future.

Review

I loved following Deena on her journey to discovering her artistic voice. My favorite character might have been Salma–because let’s be real, everyone has had that mentor who they idolize. This book also deals with mental health in a compassionate, well-informed way that is rare in any kind of book. Also. That cover. Abigail Dela Cruz has outdone herself again!