AZAR ON FIRE

Azar Rossi hastens to put a band together in this stand-alone story featuring several characters from Abtahi’s debut, Perfectly Parvin (2021).

Self-conscious Azar loves writing song lyrics and drumming, but nodules on her vocal cords and frequent throat infections affect the sound of her voice, resulting in the already reserved ninth grader’s avoiding not only singing, but talking. When she accidentally damages costly supplies in the janitor’s closet, her principal suggests she represent their school at an upcoming battle of the bands. The winner gets $10,000—so she can show her contrition, possibly cover the expenses, and at least add one extracurricular to her record. Her adoring but overworked mom struggles to make ends meet, so Azar obliges, surprising even herself by asking popular White athlete Eben to be the lead singer. Bassist Nadim, a new student from Beirut, plus Argentinian American Matty on guitar fill out the rest of the band, forcing headstrong Azar to learn the art of compromise as she works with other talented musicians. Azar has an Italian American dad; her maternal grandparents are from Iran and Argentina. Cultural details about Azar’s family enhance this positive story, with distinctive and hilarious first-person narration, of literally finding one’s voice. Azar’s cousin points out that Azar seems to fit the definition of demisexual, which tracks with her growing relationship with love interest Eben.

A poignant, engaging, and affirming novel.