Very Large Expanse of Sea, A.

Sixteen-year-old Islamic-American Shirin tries to deal with life in post 9/11 America as she is subjected to racism, stereotyping, and being excluded as she wears—and is proud of – a head scarf. She takes solace in breakdancing and her relationship with popular Ocean who learns to see the world through her eyes, but Shirin doesn’t want Ocean to be vulnerable to attacks simply by dating her so the two must decide if their relationship is worth the turmoil. This contemporary novel, for grades 10-12, explores culture, racism, gender issues, personal growth and struggle, identity, and high school social hierarchies, and is suitable for a literature circle or classroom novel.