A Very Large Expanse of Sea

In this poignant contemporary novel set in post-9/11 America, Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl, grapples with the harsh realities of prejudice and the isolation that comes from being misunderstood. Amidst the turmoil of the times, she shields herself from the world with walls built from her experiences of discrimination and violence, finding solace in music and break-dancing with her brother. Everything changes when she meets Ocean James, the first person who genuinely wants to connect with her, challenging her to confront her fears and dismantle the barriers she’s erected.