Not the Girls You're Looking For

Starred review from April 9, 2018
In this YA debut, Safi explores the internal struggle of having to “talk to more than one world, simultaneously.” Lulu considers herself both American and Arab (her father is a Muslim immigrant, her mother from Louisiana), but to many of her classmates, she’s only Arab (and therefore a terrorist). Meanwhile, she fails to meet her Muslim family’s cultural standards. Lulu is a girl who defies stereotypes: a Muslim who celebrates Ramadan, drinks, smokes, and loves to hook up with boys. Safi’s prose style has a lively staccato rhythm that captures Lulu’s spirited nature, which can easily slip into impetuousness. In addition to Safi’s focus on multicultural identity, her story provides a candid perspective on female friendships that are full of conflict, love, and angst. Through her character of contradictions, Safi offers a refreshing perspective on conformity and the path to self-actualization. Ages 13–18. Agent: Lauren MacLeod, Strothman Agency.

Narrator Priya Ayyar radiates the intensely emotional highs and lows of being young, reckless, and unstoppable--making her ideal to portray Iraqi-American Leila "Lulu" Saad. With her best friends in tow, LuLu conquers her high school social scene while trying not to cause trouble in her tightly knit, sometimes overbearing Iraqi-American community. Lulu is no stranger to drama, which puts a major strain on the life-long friendships that have helped her cope with new love, questions about sexual consent, and bullying. The husky undertones in Ayyar's voice work well with the story's whiplash humor and snappy retorts. Ayyar savors each moment of raw conversation between Lulu and her friends; however, story's moderate pacing may incline listeners to increase listening speed. J.E.C. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine