Yassmin Abdel-Magied Knihy

School's out for the summer! And Layla's going to spend it getting her inventions ready for the grand design competition. But when her grandmother falls ill and her family must rush to Sudan to be with her, Layla feels like she's being pulled in many different directions. Family, friends, home, inventions -- there's a lot to navigate. With big protests looming in Sudan, could Layla save the day with her revolutionary ideas?

“With her long skirt and headscarf Layla certainly stands out at her new high school. Everyone thinks they know her, just from a glance. But do they? And does Layla really know herself?”Layla's mind goes a million miles a minute, so does her mouth – unfortunately her better judgement can take a while to catch up! Although she believes she was justified for doing what she did, a suspension certainly isn't the way she would have wished to begin her time at her fancy new high school. Despite the setback, Layla's determined to show everyone that she does deserve her scholarship and sets her sights on winning a big invention competition. But where to begin?Looking outside and in, Layla will need to come to terms with who she is and who she wants to be if she has any chance of succeeding.Jam-packed with heart and humour You Must Be Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied reveals a powerful new voice in children’s writing. Touching on the migrant experience and exploring thought-provoking themes relevant to all teens, this book shows the strength required to be a Queen with a capital ‘Q’.

Navigating her new high school, Layla faces challenges with her identity and self-perception, amplified by her unique appearance and impulsive nature. After a suspension, she is determined to prove her worth and win an invention competition, prompting a journey of self-discovery. This story delves into themes of the migrant experience, resilience, and the quest for personal identity, all delivered with humor and heart. Yassmin Abdel-Magied introduces a compelling narrative that resonates with the struggles and aspirations of today's teens.