Spilled Ink

An Afghan American teenager's small town is thrown into controversy and violence when her brother, taking a stand against hatred, plays a prank that some think went too far. An insightful and affecting debut YA novel by Nadia Hashimi, the Afghan American author of well-regarded novels for middle graders and adults.



When high school senior Yalda hears that her twin brother, Yusuf, will be performing with his band at a local venue—in spite of their parents’ strict rules—she lets her friends convince her to sneak out to see his show. Even more exciting: Yusuf’s friend Keith asked her to go with him, and Yalda can’t help but feel a little fluttery about their maybe-date.



But the night has something else in store. After the opening band makes some ugly jokes about “terrorists,” Yusuf uses his time in the spotlight for an impulsive stunt responding to the hate speech. And suddenly, simmering tensions begin boiling over in their Virginia town—where many Afghan refugees have sought safety, helped by Afghan American families like Yalda’s and teams of welcoming neighbors.



When a video of Yusuf’s performance goes viral online, it seems like everyone in town turns against their family’s restaurant, leaving their livelihood in jeopardy. And then Yusuf is seriously injured in a mysterious fall.



Despite her grieving and frightened family, friends she is not sure she can trust, and a town that no longer feels like a safe home, Yalda must try to find her own voice—and do what she can to change her world for the better.