From the award-winning author of “Amina's Voice” and “Amina's Song” comes a tenderhearted middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American aspiring artist struggling with anxiety and her family's financial woes.
Deena's never given a name to the familiar nausea that flips over in her stomach when her parents argue about money, when it's time to go to school, or when she struggles to find the right words. The feeling can be paralyzing, but Deena manages to make it through each day and its unexpected obstacles with the help of her art.
With her parents' money troubles causing them more and more stress, Deena wonders if she can use her creative talents to ease their burden. She creates a logo and social media account to promote her mom's boutique that specializes in tailoring clothes from Pakistan for the local immigrant and first-generation community and operates out of their basement. With her cousin and friends modeling Deena's mom's wares and lending their social media know-how, business starts booming.
But the success and attention make Deena's cousin and best friend, Parisa, jealous. Suddenly, Deena's latest creative outlet becomes just one more thing to flip around in her stomach and make her unsure of herself. When Deena reaches a breaking point, both she and her mother learn the importance of asking for help, and with the right support, Deena creates something truly beautiful.
