
Danyal Jilani wants an arranged marriage--he just wants some say on who that arranged bride should be. Unfortunately, the family of his longtime crush Kaval, doesn’t believe Danyal is marriage material. But when Danyal is given the chance to compete in the Renaissance Man competition at his school, he believes this is his chance to redeem himself. To ensure his success, Danyal recruits Bisma to help him prepare for the competition. However, the more Danyal prepares, the more he questions what is really important.
This delightful coming of age story exposes readers to Islamic Indian culture with humor and depth. Danyal starts as a shallow character, but it is wonderful to watch his progression throughout the book. I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity of thought that wove its way through this seemingly simple romantic comedy.
Recommended ages--12 and up