If you’re into coming-of-age stories that really make you think and feel and then leave you with a good sense of hope… then definitely pick this up!
Title: Girls of Dust
Author: Maricla Pannocchia
Page Count: 143
MY RATINGS:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Young Adult (YA), Contemporary Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story, Social Issues Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Their lives couldn’t be more different – but are they?
Despite the advantages of wealth and a loving mother, fifteen-year-old Angel feels numb. She struggles to fit in at her California high school, longs for a relationship with her estranged father, and seeks something raw and authentic to make her feel alive. Desperate for relief, she turns to sex with her boyfriend and self-harm to escape her emotional pain.
Fifteen-year-old Yara and her two siblings flee their home in Syria after a bombing kills her parents, seeking safety in a refugee camp in Jordan. Although she’s grateful for the chance for a more prosperous life after being resettled in America, Yara is weighed down with the deep pain of adjusting to a new world in addition to the loss of her family and beloved homeland.
When their worlds collide at a Los Angeles high school, the girls slowly form a friendship, finding solace in each other’s presence as they face their own demons. As they sink deeper into pain, losing themselves in the process, will their bond be enough to pull them back?
This is a coming-of-age story about family, loss, pain, love, and the universal right to live a meaningful life.
Content warnings: self-harm, suicide and attempted suicide, drug abuse, sex, mental health hospitalization, PTSD, violence, war, anxiety, foster care, death of parents.
Notes from the author: This book delves into the pain that can drive someone to cope using self-harm. I recommend that teenage readers explore this book with the support of and discussion with a trusted adult.
Ages: 15+.
Tropes:
– Opposites Attract (Friendship Edition)
– Found Family
– Coming-of-Age
– Secret Pain: Both Angel (self-harm, emotional numbness) and Yara (grief, PTSD, adjustment)
– Healing Power of Friendship
– Search for Authenticity
What I found most impactful here? It was how relatable Angel and Yara felt, even though their lives were so different.
1. ANGEL. Her struggle to fit in and find something that makes her feel alive? That’s actually very common for a lot of young adults these days. So many of them feel this strong sense of “DISCONNECTION” or like they just “DON’T BELONG”. A lot of them just have a hard time finding their group. Like a “real” community where they feel like they belong and truly accepted.
2. YARA. Wow! It’s truly amazing to see how “STRONG AND AMAZING” character she is. I mean, to go through so much loss and then still manage to find her way and get used to a whole new life? That’s really something else.
Seeing their friendship grow stronger even when they were both going through such tough stuff really hit me. It just goes to show how important having a connection with someone is. It’s like REAL LIFELINE. They were there for each other…. you know, offering support and understanding right when they needed it most to get through those hard times. This story shows how going through hard times together can actually make friendships genuinely strong and meaningful.
I really appreciated that the author of this book didn’t hold back. They didn’t shy away from showing the raw reality of what those characters went through. Maricla crafted a truly beautiful and rich story. She explored themes of family, loss, pain and universal desire we all have for a meaningful life.
Friendly reminder: Before you dive in… please, please do not ignore the notes and content warnings made by the author. They are there for a reason! Don’t get me wrong! This story goes to some intense places. But the author deals with it so respectfully and thoroughly that it ends up being a really impactful experience.
If you’re into coming-of-age stories that really make you think and feel and then leave you with a good sense of hope… then definitely pick this up! You’ll be rooting for Angel and Yara every step of the way!
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NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone’s perspective. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thank you for this wonderful story, Maricla!