A Very Large Expanse of Sea

A Very Large Expanse of Sea follows sixteen-year-old Shirin, a Muslim teenager navigating life in America one year after 9/11. She faces discrimination and harassment at her new school, leading her to withdraw into her passions: break-dancing and music. The story centers on Shirin's growing connection with Ocean James, a popular student who takes an interest in getting to know her. Their relationship forces both to confront prejudices and expectations within their families and social circles. Shirin's break-dancing crew becomes a source of belonging as she practices with her brother and his friends after school. Through this outlet, she finds a way to express herself beyond the assumptions and stereotypes that follow her daily life. The novel explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the universal teenage experience of first love against the backdrop of post-9/11 America. Through Shirin's perspective, readers witness both the specific challenges of being Muslim in America and the broader complexities of finding one's place in the world.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of Muslim-American teenage life post-9/11 and the realistic depiction of prejudice and microaggressions. Many note the book helps build empathy and understanding through its first-person perspective. Positive reviews highlight: - Strong character development - Natural dialogue - Breakdancing scenes add unique energy - Balance of serious themes with lighter romantic moments - Honest portrayal of family dynamics Common criticisms: - Romance overshadows deeper social issues - Plot becomes predictable - Some side characters feel underdeveloped - Pacing slows in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (78,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,400+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 Reader quote: "Finally a YA book that doesn't sugar-coat discrimination but also shows joy and normal teenage life." - Goodreads reviewer Critique quote: "Wished for more focus on the cultural aspects rather than the love story." - Amazon reviewer

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🎭 Though the story is fiction, author Tahereh Mafi drew heavily from her own experiences as a Muslim teenager in post-9/11 America, including wearing a hijab to school and facing discrimination. 🎵 The main character's passion for breakdancing was inspired by Mafi's husband, who was part of a breakdancing crew in his youth. 📅 The novel is set specifically in 2002, capturing the intense period of Islamophobia that followed the September 11 attacks when many Muslim Americans faced increased hostility and suspicion. 🌟 The book's title comes from a poem by Tyler Knott Gregson: "Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim." 🏆 The novel was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2018, marking it as one of the most significant YA releases of that year.