An emotionally resonant novel explores anxiety, social media, and finding one’s voice as a young artist. As much as Pakistani American Deena enjoys her seventh grade art class, she’s eager to improve her creative skills with additional training. Classes are expensive, though, and Deena has overheard her parents arguing about finances. Her mom designs and sells desi clothing out of their home; to help grow her customer base, Deena designs a logo and starts a website for Z’s Threads, complete with photos of her cousin, Parisa, modeling the clothing. Parisa, who is more interested in makeup, fashion, and social media than Deena is, has been urging Deena to put more thought into her appearance and persuades Deena to start a social media account to showcase her artwork before Deena feels ready. This pressure, along with worries about her parents’ relationship, contributes to Deena’s anxiety; she has persistent nausea and a cracked tooth due to clenching. She reaches a breaking point when she has a panic attack at school. Initially resistant to therapy, her parents come around when Deena advocates for her own treatment. Aware now of their daughter’s struggles, Deena’s loving parents become more mindful of recognizing her hard work and dedication to art as well. When Deena and her mom visit a local Pakistani American artist’s exhibit, Deena finds inspiration and a welcome chance to share an interest with her mom, who is an artist in her own right. (Ages 8-12)

From the award-winning author of Amina’s Voice and Amina’s Song comes a “nuanced and quietly powerful” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American artist determined to manage her anxiety and forge her own creative path.

Deena’s never given a name to the familiar knot in her stomach that appears when her parents argue about money, when it’s time to go to school, or when she struggles to find the right words. She manages to make it through each day with the help of her friends and the art she loves to make.

While her parents’ money troubles cause more and more stress, Deena wonders if she can use her artistic talents to ease their burden. She creates a logo and social media account to promote her mom’s home-based business selling clothes from Pakistan to the local community. With her cousin and friends modeling the outfits and lending their social media know-how, business picks up.

But the success and attention make Deena’s cousin and best friend, Parisa, start to act funny. Suddenly Deena’s latest creative outlet becomes another thing that makes her feel nauseated and unsure of herself. After Deena reaches a breaking point, both she and her mother learn the importance of asking for help and that, with the right support, Deena can create something truly beautiful.