This Is My Truth

(Paperback)

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Description

Best friends Amani and Huda are getting nervous about their GCSEs - and their future beyond school, which they're both wildly unprepared for. Shy, quiet Amani has an outwardly picture-perfect family - a father who is a successful TV presenter, a loving mother, and an adorable younger brother - while confident and impulsive Huda has grown up with over-affectionate foster parents who are now expecting a baby of their own.

Both girls are jealous of each other's seemingly easy life, without realising the darkness or worries that lie underneath. Then Huda witnesses Amani's father hitting her mother, and Amani's biggest secret is suddenly out.

As Amani convinces Huda to keep quiet by helping her with her own problems, a prank blog starts up at school, revealing students' secrets one by one. Will this anonymous blogger get hold of Amani's secret too Will Huda keep quiet

Reviews

A gripping, thought-provoking, sometimes shocking thriller * Guardian *
Told from three viewpoints, this is an ultimately hopeful book, which does not shy away from the mental health pressures that young people may find themselves under. The author has experienced her own version of what Mehreen is going through, in a culture with little understanding of mental illness. This makes Mehreen's narrative all the more powerful and believable, without detracting from those of Cara and Olivia, who are fully realized characters with their own distinctive voices. It is very readable with moments of humour. This is a very timely book dealing with sensitive topics, which does not glorify suicide but aims to show that it is not the answer. Friendship can be truly life-saving * Armadillo Magazine *
Handled with hope and a firm belief in the power of women standing together. * Irish Times *
Everyone in Amani's life thinks that her family is perfect, but they don't know that she has been keeping a secret about her father for years. Even her best friend Huda doesn't know about the "bad nights" when her father's temper rages and Amani has to comfort and look after her younger brother. But the confident and independent Huda has secrets too - her loving foster parents are expecting a baby and she's worried that they will forget about her. Both friends keep their worries hidden until a prank blog starts revealing people's secrets at school. This Is My Truth is a heartwarming and inspiring story about the power of using your voice. Our protagonist, Amani, may seem quiet and shy but she is also intelligent and brave. Amani and Huda's friendship is one of the best aspects of the book. Their dynamic is written so realistically - they fight and have their differences, but ultimately, they wish the best for each other and, as friends, they lift each other up and help each other through their struggles. Both characters are wise beyond their years and it was a pleasure to read their story. This book deals with the difficult subject of domestic abuse which could be hard to read at times. However, the author has clearly taken a lot of time and care in order to depict this in a realistic way. The story is also full of hope, and the compassion of others is a big feature. At times funny and always filled with drama, This Is My Truth packs a lot into a short book. If you think you will enjoy a story about friendship, secrets, finishing school and starting a new life, and if you enjoy good twists, then you'll love this book! -- Joyce Dignam * Paper Lanterns Lit *

Author Bio

Yasmin Rahman is a British Muslim born and raised in Hertfordshire. Her first novel, ALL THE THINGS WE NEVER SAID, was the runner-up YA book in the inaugural Diversity Book Awards. She has MAs in Creative Writing and Writing for Young People. Her short story 'Fortune Favours the Bold' was published in the Stripes anthology A Change is Gonna Come in 2017, with the Bookseller awarding the contributors a YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award for commitment to making YA publishing more inclusive. When she's not writing, Yasmin makes bookish fan art; her designs are sold worldwide on behalf of John Green. THIS IS MY TRUTH will be publishing in July 2021.