Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel

With the heart of Judy Blume and wit of Alison Bechdel, Sara Farizan brings the authenticity and humour that distinguished her debut novel, If You Could Be Mine, to her second work of fiction for teens

Leila has made it most of the way through high school without having a crush on anyone, which comes as something of a relief. Her Persian heritage makes her different enough; if word got out that Leila liked girls, life would be twice as hard. And what would her parents think? It's bad enough she's not even going to become a doctor. But when a sophisticated, beautiful new girl, Saskia, shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never dreamed of, especially when it looks as if the attraction between them is mutual. Struggling to sort out her growing feelings and Saskia's confusing signals, Leila confides in her old friend, Lisa, and grows closer to Tomas, whose comments about his own sexuality are frank, funny, wise and sometimes painful. Gradually, Leila begins to see that almost all of her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and many are keeping fascinating secrets of their own.

PRAISE FOR TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL

"Both personal and universal, this is a compelling story about high school, family and owning up to who you really are. Farizan is just the voice YA needs right now. Trust me, you'll be glad you listened." -SARAH DESSEN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE MOON AND MORE

"Deftly balancing Leila's unique cultural background and experience with more universal coming-of-age struggles, Farizan fashions an empowering romance featuring a lovable, awkward protagonist who just needs a little nudge of confidence to totally claim her multifaceted identity." -BOOKLIST (STARRED REVIEW)

"Farizan exceeds the high expectations she set with her debut, If You Could Be Mine, in this fresh, humorous, and poignant exploration of friendship and love, a welcome addition to the coming-out/coming-of-age genre." -PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (STARRED REVIEW)

"Leila's journey with Saskia as well as with her family is related with emotional nuance and care. . . . Lessons abound, from the truth that her seemingly perfect older sister is actually human to ‘everybody farts,' but skillful character development keeps Leila's discoveries from ever feeling didactic. Funny, heartwarming and wise." -KIRKUS REVIEWS (STARRED REVIEW)

"A David Levithan–style romance in which a character's sexual identity is neither problematic nor in question, and coming out is just one of many obstacles affecting the course of true love." -THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE

"With a plot that unfolds naturally, good writing, and vivid character development that leaves readers alternately cringing and aching for the protagonist, teens will find a satisfying coming-of-age novel. . . . Leila's coming out to her friends and family and her fear of disappointing her parents will resonate with all young adults." -SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Farizan's second novel is a well-realized portrait of high school life with a flawed and vulnerable but incredibly likeable main character. . . . A surprising new take on the genre that offers a much-needed new perspective." -TEENREADS.COM

"Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel . . . [is] lighter than If You Could Be Mine, but equally as ambitious in the quest to avoid tokenism and breathe life into fully fleshed-out young LGBT characters." -BUZZFEED

PRAISE FOR IF YOU COULD BE MINE

2014 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

2014 ALA Rainbow List Top Ten Title

Fall 2013 Kids' Indie Next List Top Ten

Booklist Top Ten First Novels for Youth 2013 Pick

"Farizan's prose is frank, funny and bittersweet, enjoyable . . . [and] her secondary storylines ring out memorably. " -THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

"This beautifully crafted young-adult novel offers timely insight into the struggles of those who must be their authentic selves no matter where they live. " -MS. MAGAZINE

"Sharp and moving. . . . An interesting look at gender identity and gay culture in Iran . . . [and] a compelling story about class and the purpose of marriage. " -THE BOSTON GLOBE

" [A] terrific debut novel. . . . Rich with details of life in contemporary Iran, this is a GLBTQ story that we haven't seen before in YA fiction. Highly recommended. " -SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Accomplished and compassionate. . . . A groundbreaking, powerful depiction of gay and transsexual life in Iran. . . . An intimate look at life in modern-day Iran and its surprising Westernization, even though much of this culture is clandestine. " -BOOKLIST (STARRED REVIEW)

" [A] provocative coming-of-age story. . . . Throughout this strong debut, Farizan weaves in details of daily Iranian life. . . . Within a rigid societal structure, her fleshed-out characters wrestle with depression, hope, complacency, and risk. " -PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"A heartbreakingly beautiful story of first love. . . . The reader becomes part of Sahar and Nasrin's journey. We move through it with them with our heart in our hands. " -JACQUELINE WOODSON, AUTHOR OF BENEATH A METH MOON

"A book full to bursting with aching, haunting, beautiful questions. " -CHRIS LYNCH, AUTHOR OF INEXCUSABLE