Description

Lana Mustafa was eight years old when her father was killed by sectarian violence in Baghdad, Iraq. At twelve, she immigrated to Portland, Maine, a lonely outsider covered in a hijab and Goodwill snow boots. Now a strong-willed and fiercely independent high school senior, Lana struggles to define herself amid conflicting cultural expectations. Lana learns that no matter what sky she lives under, she must fight for that which matters most—her family, education, friendship, and dreams. Maryam Abdullah's semi-autobiographical illustrated novel is a must read!

ILLUSTRATED FICTION | Paperback | 170 Pages | 2016 | ISBN: 978-0-9966465-8-1

About the Author

Maryam Abdullah is a student at the University of Southern Maine majoring in electrical engineering. You can typically find her watching YouTube science videos, drawing, or reading. Her hobbies are many, including hiking, eating, riding her motorcycle, skydiving, rappelling, and kayaking. She speaks English and Arabic. Maryam was born in Iraq, and came to the United States when she was twelve years old, in 2010. She started coming to The Telling Room when she was sixteen. Her first time there she was afraid to share even one story of her life; now she has written a whole book. She has participated in a Telling Room summer camp, the Young Writers & Leaders program, and the Young Emerging Authors Fellowship. The Telling Room has changed her, made her a stronger public speaker, and more importantly, taught her to write with her full heart.