UNSETTLED

Unsettled is a beautifully written novel in verse that offers a compassionate and nuanced portrayal of the immigrant experience.

Nurah and her family reside in Pakistan, but when her father secures a job opportunity in the United States and hopes for better schooling, the family decides to relocate. Despite her father’s intentions, Nurah is reluctant to leave behind her grandparents, friends, and the life she is familiar with. It describes how the 13 years old teenager is attempting to adjust to a completely new environment while also seeking to assert her independence and find a sense of belonging. 

Through Nurah’s journey, readers are reminded of the importance of embracing diversity, celebrating cultural differences, and striving to create a more inclusive and empathetic society. 

The section titles :  Uprooting, Replanting, Water, Planting Seeds, Sprouting, Rot, Budding, Wilting, and Flowering  perfectly encapsulate the diverse stages of Nurah’s experiences.

One of the appreciated aspects  of Unsettled is how it portrays Islamic values and teachings with no stereotypes and  in a positive and affirming light. Throughout the novel, Nurah and her family rely on their faith to navigate difficult situations and to find strength and comfort in times of hardship ( Bullying, domestic violence,  miscarriage, etc) . The novel includes passages that highlight the importance of kindness, forgiveness, patience, and standing up for what is right, all of which are central values in Islam.

Unsettled would be more engaging for middle-grade and young adult readers. There is no violent or inappropriate language in the novel ( it touched upon several powerful themes, including  miscarriage, domestic violence, and Islamophobia in the aftermath of 9/11) but nothing too overwhelming for a middle-grade reader to handle.