Something more

Fifteen-year-old Palestinian Canadian Jessie Kassis thought her biggest freshman year hurdle would be persuading her strict parents to let her upgrade her training bra to a real one. But when she's diagnosed as autistic, she resolves to mask her autistic traits from her Holy Trinity high school peers. As she settles into classes, she meets and yearns to develop a romantic relationship with white schoolmate Levi Walsh, whose Kurt Cobain grunge aesthetic jives well with Jessie's 1990s pop culture obsession. Except that Levi's aloof personality makes it difficult for Jessie to interpret his intentions, and while her growing circle of friends provides her space to vent her frustrations, she feels as if her struggles go unheard amid her friends' own boy troubles. She soon encounters white classmate Griffin Duffy, who not only gets her '90s media references but offers to help her solve her Levi puzzle. While much of the plot covers familiar ground, Jessie's attempts to define herself within her school and home life are enhanced by Khalilieh's own experiences as an autistic Palestinian Canadian, imbuing Jessie's challenges with organic-feeling nuance and making for a fully realized protagonist. It's a thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining debut that centers questions of identity via a fresh lens. Ages 12--up. Agent: Valerie Noble, Donaghy Literary Group. (June)

Autistic Palestinian Canadian high school student Jessie navigates family, friendship, and love while trying to figure out: Who exactly is Jessie Kassis? Though her family is Greek Orthodox, 15-year-old Jessie begins attending high school at Roman Catholic Holy Trinity, where she hopes to start over fresh with kids who don't know her. Since recently being diagnosed with autism, she's finally had an answer to why fitting in has always been hard. Meanwhile, Jessie tries everything she can to mask her autism and fulfill the goals she lists in the journal her psychologist suggests she keep, ones like making friends, kissing the cute 10th grader in her science class, and participating in the school musical. It's not long before Jessie struggles to keep it all together and fulfill the expectations of those around her, however, and it's ultimately up to her to find her place in the world without losing herself. As an autistic person herself, Khalilieh presents readers with a genuine protagonist. Jessie's identity as the daughter of Palestinian immigrants is woven into the novel through cultural elements and brief explorations of Palestinian issues. Her inner monologue is at times profoundly introspective while also displaying the gushing enthusiasm of an adolescent with a crush. This is an enjoyable read that will have readers rooting for Jessie's success in love and life. A coming-of-age debut with a refreshingly authentic protagonist. (playlist) (Fiction. 12-17) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.