Samira's Worst Best Summer

From the author of Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year comes another wryly humorous tween novel about finding belonging in an unexpected place. A must-read for fans of Hena Khan, Kelly Yang, and Karina Yan Glaser.

Samira knows this is going to be the worst summer ever. Her best friend, Kiera, ditched her for the cool girls. Her parents and older sister are taking a trip to India, so Sammy is staring down endless weeks spent with Imran, her little brother, and her Umma. To top it all off—literally!—her house gets TP’d. 

The TP’ing upsets Imran, who is convinced that they’re being targeted because they’re the only brown family on the block. When Sammy attempts to solve the problem, she creates a bigger mess instead. But she also meets new girl Alice, who is determined to figure out who was behind the TP’ing.

Suddenly, Sammy’s “boring” summer is full of clue-finding hunts, garage band practices, and getting to know her neighbors like never before. But when Kiera starts stealing Alice away, Sammy must decide if she wants to stand up for herself. One thing is certain: This summer is either going to be the worst (or maybe the best) of Samira’s life.

What happens when a shy girl, a new friend, and a roll of toilet paper are the only things standing between the worst and best summer ever?

Friendship Drama: Samira’s summer starts with a disaster when her lifelong best friend, Kiera, ditches her for the cool crowd, leaving her feeling totally alone. Unlikely Friendship: But when quirky new girl Alice shows up, she and Samira team up to solve the mystery of the TP’d house. Finding Your Voice: From garage band practices to clue-hunting, Samira has to learn how to stand up for herself and save her new friendship. Heartfelt Family Story: Left behind while her parents are in India, Samira discovers her hilarious and wise grandmother, Umma, is the ultimate secret weapon.