Description: Daria Esfandyar is an Iranian American fiercely proud of her heritage. She and her friends call themselves the Authentics, because they pride themselves on always keeping it real. But in the course of researching a school project, Daria learns something shocking about her past, which launches her on a journey of self-discovery. Suddenly, it seems everyone is keeping secrets, and it's getting harder to know who she even is any longer.
Brief description:
Abdi Nazemian is the author of Only This Beautiful Moment--winner of the Stonewall Award and the Lambda Literary Award--and Like a Love Story, a Stonewall Honor Book and one of Time's 100 Best YA Books of All Time. He is also the author of the young adult novels Exquisite Things, Desert Echoes, The Chandler Legacies, and The Authentics, and the co-author of SwapLife. His novel The Walk-In Closet won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Debut Fiction. His screenwriting credits include the films The Artist's Wife, The Quiet, and numerous television series including It's Not Like That and Sweet Magnolias. His many credits as a film producer include Call Me by Your Name and Little Woods. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, their two children, and their dog, Disco.
Review Quotes:
"A beautiful and compelling story about identity, race, and family love. A must read in an age where #weneeddiversebooks more than ever." - Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author
"The ferociously authentic Daria is a memorable protagonist" - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"As with the novels of Benjamin Alire Saenz or Randa Abdel-Fattah, Daria's thought-provoking journey will resonate with teen readers of all backgrounds." - Booklist (starred review)
"A charming and touching examination of everything that makes us who we are." - Adi Alsaid, author of Let's Get Lost and Never Always Sometimes
"Will resonate with readers who have felt like they don't know where they belong or who they want to be, and certainly with the children of immigrants who feel caught between worlds." - Publishers Weekly
"Surprisingly powerful...will appeal to any reader searching for identity and belonging, particularly those whose lives include two different cultures." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)