Wishing Upon the Same Stars

This powerful and poignant coming-of-age middle grade debut novel follows an Arab American girl named Yasmeen as she moves to San Antonio with her family and navigates finding friendship--and herself. Perfect for fans of Other Words for Home, Front Desk, and American as Paneer Pie.When twelve-year-old Yasmeen Khoury moves with her family to San Antonio, all she wants to do is fit in. But her classmates in Texas are nothing like her friends in the predominantly Arab neighborhood back in Detroit where she grew up. Almost immediately, Yasmeen feels like the odd girl out, and as she faces middle school mean girls and tries to make new friends, she feels more alone than ever before.Then Yasmeen meets her neighbor, Ayelet Cohen, a first-generation Israeli American. As the two girls grow closer, Yasmeen is grateful to know someone who understands what it feels like when your parents' idea of home is half a world away.But when Yasmeen's grandmother moves in after her home in Jerusalem is destroyed, Yasmeen and Ayelet must grapple with how much closer the events of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are than they'd realized. As Yasmeen begins to develop her own understandings of home, heritage, and most importantly, herself, can the two girls learn there's more that brings them together than might tear them apart . . . and that peace begins with them?A 2023 BANK STREET BOOKS BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR! A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION!An Unlikely Friendship: Yasmeen is Palestinian American. Ayelet is Israeli American. In the heart of Texas, they find in each other a friend who understands what it feels like when "home" is a world away.Stories About Bullying: From navigating cafeteria tables to facing down middle school mean girls, Yasmeen must find the courage to stand up for who she is, even when it makes her a target.Navigating Cultural Divides: When a conflict half a world away lands on their doorstep, the two friends must confront their families' histories and decide for themselves if peace can truly begin with them.A Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Story: A powerful journey about a girl discovering her own beliefs about heritage, home, and what it truly means to find your voice and belong.