Daria Esfandyar is Iranian-American and proud of her heritage, unlike some of the "Nose Jobs" in the clique led by her former best friend, Heidi Javadi. Daria and her friends call themselves the Authentics, because they pride themselves on always keeping it real.
But in the course of researching a school project, Daria learns something shocking about her past, which launches her on a journey of self-discovery. It seems everyone is keeping secrets. And it's getting harder to know who she even is any longer.
With infighting among the Authentics, her mother planning an over-the-top sweet sixteen party, and a romance that should be totally off limits, Daria doesn't have time for this identity crisis. As everything in her life is spinning out of control--can she figure out how to stay true to herself?
About the Author :
Abdi Nazemian's first novel, The Walk-In Closet, won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Debut. His screenwriting credits include Menendez: Blood Brothers, The Quiet, Beautiful Girl, and Celeste in the City. Abdi is an alumnus of the Sundance Writer's Lab, has been a mentor at the Outfest Screenwriter's Lab, and has taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension. As the head of development for Water's End Productions, he has served as an executive producer or associate producer on a number of films, including Call Me by Your Name. He lives in Los Angeles with his fiancé and two children. You can find him online at AbDaddy.com.
Kyla Garcia is an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator. Born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, she discovered acting at the age of eight when she played Lady Macbeth in a children's adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy. She made her off-Broadway debut at fifteen when she played Dorothy in Oz: A Twisted Musical. Eleven years after she discovered her passion for acting, she would go on to play Lady Macbeth once again in London at the Globe Theatre, where she studied Shakespeare during her third year at Mason Gross School of the Arts. She received her BFA in acting from Rutgers University.
Review :
"A beautiful and compelling story about identity, race, and family love."
-- "Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author"
"In the sequence of surprises along the way, Daria continually reevaluates the meaning of identity and authenticity. Nazemian weaves a network of diverse supporting characters that further explore these themes...Nazemian keeps it all real by focusing on the strength of emotional bonds that transcend all external differences...Daria's thought-provoking journey will resonate with teen readers of all backgrounds."
-- "Booklist (starred review)"
"Narrator Kyla Garcia recounts the ups and downs of a teenager who is experiencing identity issues...Garcia captures all the teenage turmoil in a fresh and genuine style. She carries listeners along as Daria ignores the 'nose jobs' of a rival group of Iranian-American girls and struggles to stay close to the friends she calls 'her authentics.'"
-- "AudioFile"
"Surprisingly powerful...will appeal to any reader searching for identity and belonging, particularly those whose lives include two different cultures."
-- "VOYA"
"The ferociously authentic Daria is a memorable protagonist, narrating in a trenchant, self-aware past tense that carries readers through her personal cultural minefield...Full of surprises both cultural and emotional and narrated in the strong voice of a memorable protagonist...A tale of integrity, identity, family, love, and sacrifice that is sure to satisfy."
-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"
"Will resonate with readers who have felt like they don't know where they belong or who they want to be, and certainly with the children of immigrants who feel caught between worlds."
-- "Publishers Weekly"
