More Than Just a Pretty Face
By Syed M. Masood
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316492355
Age Range: 14+
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“…a much-needed historical and contemporary perspective of Western culture through a South Asian lens.” —School Library Journal
Description
Danyal Jilani doesn’t lack confidence. He may not be the smartest guy in the room, but he’s funny, gorgeous, and going to make a great chef one day. His father doesn’t approve of his career choice, but that hardly matters. What does matter is the opinion of Danyal’s longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect.
When Danyal gets selected for Renaissance Man, a school-wide academic championship, it’s the perfect opportunity to show everyone he’s smarter than they think. He recruits the brilliant, totally-uninterested-in-him Bisma to help with the competition, but the more time Danyal spends with her . . . the more he learns from her…the more he cooks for her . . . the more he realizes that happiness may be staring him right in his pretty face.
In this young adult debut full of depth and heart, author Syed M. Masood will have readers laughing, sighing, tearing up, and shouting “YES!” at the top of their lungs.
Reviews & Accolades
“Masood’s debut spotlights the ever-optimistic 19-year-old Danyal Jilani, a confident Pakistani American aspiring chef who has long harbored a crush on classmate Kaval Sabsvari, his best friend Sohrab’s twin sister. When he is nominated for his school’s Renaissance Man competition, a cutthroat academic championship with a $5,000 prize, Danyal seizes the opportunity to boost his subpar grades and spend more time with Kaval, who offers to help. Danyal’s topic of Winston Churchill leads him to enlist the assistance of Bisma Akram, 19, originally introduced to him as a potential prospect for an arranged marriage. Her complicated relationship with her own family forges a growing bond between them; Danyal’s realization that Kaval disdains his atypical career aspirations, while Bisma supports them, strengthens their connection. The novel features a humorous exploration of its characters’ desi backgrounds, touching upon familial and religious expectations. Though supporting characters lack nuance—Sohrab’s growing devotion to Islam, for example, correlates with an increasingly limited viewpoint—Danyal develops into a more mature and endearing protagonist as he researches colonialism’s horrors. Throughout, his vivid narration remains charmingly relatable.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Danyal Jilani gets by in high school by putting in as little effort as possible, and he dreams of a future where he can pursue his true passions. In his case, this means culinary arts and wooing the most beautiful (and unattainable) girl in school. His carefree world comes to an abrupt halt when Danyal is forced to participate in an exclusive school-wide academic competition. Concurrently, he is also introduced to Bisma, an intriguing bridal candidate with a deeply painful past. Although there are some clunky moments of dialogue in this debut novel, Masood finds his groove in this high-stakes coming-of-age story. He places Danyal at an intersection between South Asia and America, and it is a pleasure to watch Danyal’s growth and development as he grapples with both historical prejudices against India and contemporary prejudices within his own community. This is also one of the first YA novels that prominently features the atrocities of the 1943 Bengal Famine. It is refreshing to read an #OwnVoices novel that portrays Islam as it is for many Muslim American teenagers: a belief and culture that can be beautiful, complex, occasionally long-winded, and often sagacious. This delightful debut will make a fine addition to any YA collection, and includes a much-needed historical and contemporary perspective of Western culture through a South Asian lens.”
—School Library Journal
“California teen Danyal Jilani knows he is good looking, but is that enough to win over fashionable and vivacious Kaval Sabsvari, the girl he’s long had a crush on? The Pakistani American high school senior’s looks and charming personality don’t impress his father, who is disappointed by his poor academic performance and desire to attend culinary school. But when he meets smart college freshman Bisma Akram through his parents for potential future marriage purposes, Danyal learns of her scandalous secret—one that has made other families decide she isn’t a suitable marriage prospect. Danyal is surprisingly picked as a candidate for the prestigious Renaissance Man competition by his private school’s history teacher, and he finally has a chance to prove he is worthy of Kaval’s affection. But after Bisma offers to help him with his essay entry on Winston Churchill, Danyal has to decide whose opinions he values and whether or not to speak up about the hard truths he learns. An entertaining mix of humor, teen drama, cultural references, and serious themes around colonialism, nationalism, and religious identity, Masood’s debut novel is a broadly relatable story that offers plenty of food for thought. Readers will root for Danyal as he evolves and proves he is more than meets the eye. A charming teen romance with real substance.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Groups Represented
Pakistani American
Themes
#OwnVoices
Bi-racial Identity
Community
Cultural Identity
Cultural Traditions
Family Relationships
Historical
Identity
Religious Faith
The Arts
Setting
United States
Engagement Projects & Resources
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