If Water Were Fire

More about the book

Multicultural teen Samantha Selim is a high school freshman navigating her identity. Although she is generally a good girl, she often tests the boundaries set by her strict South Asian father, sometimes with the support of her American-born mother. When a senior boy, a lifeguard, asks her out, Sammy grapples with the conflict between expectations and desires. Her experiences range from beach date nights to conflicts with friends, providing a unique perspective as a product of a multicultural household. Sammy’s journey unfolds in an affluent beachside town, where she must determine what truly makes her happy and what sacrifices she is willing to make for the people she cares about—her parents, her new love, and her friends. The narrative, told from Sammy's viewpoint, resonates with high school teens and young adults, highlighting the complexities of growing up and the choices that come with it. This #ownvoices novel also features original poetry by author Sara Salam, written during her own high school years. It challenges boundaries across various dimensions, including those with peers, parents, and within oneself.