This book was refreshing because of the adults in Adam and Zayneb’s lives–the ones who were supportive.

Adam learns that the prognosis of his MS doesn’t have to be as bleak as he once thought, and Zayneb learns that she doesn’t have to be ashamed of her anger and passion to fight injustice and racism. These circumstances often throw them off balance, and it is only by connecting with the other person that they begin to get a different perspective and also grow stronger. Zayneb and Adam are both battling adverse circumstances throughout the book–Adam with his MS and Zayneb with the cause and effect of the the blatant racism she’s had to put up with at home and even in Doha. What I love so much about this book is how hopeful it is. The book follows Zayneb and Adam’s journal entries–both the marvels and oddities of their time together and as they come to terms with the various parts of their lives that are tangled up. Zayneb also finds herself drawn to Adam and not only because of his good looks–he offers her an Islamic greeting on the plane. On the plane to Doha, Adam realizes that Zayneb–the cute girl with the vibrant blue hijab he’s instantly drawn to– also has a Marvels and Oddities journal–the very thing that he uses to chronicle his ups and downs and help him cope with everything going on.

Clinging to his pragmatic and positive attitude, he’s turned to making and building things as a way to cope with a tough diagnosis. He’s burdened by the secret he’s kept since October from his dad and little sister: his choice to drop out of school. When we first meet Adam, he’s on his way home to Doha from London where he attends university. Zayneb vows to try to be a nicer version of herself, letting things go in a way she hasn’t been able to before. She must contend with the fallout her suspension has caused–two of her closest friends got in trouble as well. She’s sent to Doha in Qatar a week early than her original spring break plan to spend time with her Aunt Nandy, a teacher at the local international school. Her parents implore her to let her anger go and fly under the radar, keeping her head down despite her teacher’s hate. When a note passed from her friend reminds her about their behind-the-scenes plan to take him down is intercepted, Zayneb is suspended. When we first meet Zayneb, she’s about to be suspended for allegedly threatening her racist teacher–a man who belittles and berates her in front of the class, spewing his Islamophobic vitriol around the classroom.

Love from a to z book