NOW IN PAPERBACK! "Farizan exceeds the high expectations she set with her debut, If You Could Be Mine, in this fresh, humorous, and poignant exploration of friendship and love, a welcome addition to the coming-out/coming-of-age genre." -Publishers Weekly, starred review Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is a relief. As an Iranian-American, she's different enough; if word got out that Leila liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when beautiful new girl Saskia shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would. As she carefully confides in trusted friends about Saskia's confusing signals, Leila begins to figure out that all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and some are keeping surprising secrets of their own. "Farizan fashions an empowering romance featuring a lovable, awkward protagonist who just needs a little nudge of confidence to totally claim her multifaceted identity." -Booklist, starred review "A David Levithan-style romance in which a character's sexual identity is neither problematic nor in question, and coming out is just one of many obstacles affecting the course of true love." -The Horn Book Magazine "Funny, heartwarming and wise." -Kirkus Reviews "Leila's coming out to her friends and family and her fear of disappointing her parents will resonate with all young adults." -School Library Journal - A 2015 ALA Top Ten Rainbow List Title - A 2015 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Junior Leila has made it through most of high school without having a crush, which is a relief. Her Persian heritage already makes her different; if word got out she liked girls, life would be even harder. But when beautiful new girl Saskia shows up, Leila starts to take risks, especially when it looks like the attraction between them is mutual. Sara Farizan is an Iranian American writer and ardent basketball fan who was born in and lives near Boston. The award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine and Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel, she has an MFA from Lesley University and a BA in film and media studies from American University. Here to Stay is her third novel. One My copy of The Color Purple lies in front of me on my desk, the spine bent and wrinkled from the many times I've pored over the book. I have so many things to say about the beautiful prose, the characters, but I won't . . . because I, Leila Azadi, am a Persian scaredy-cat. I can't believe even English class makes me anxious these days. "Now, when Walker describes Shug through Celie's eyes, what is she trying to convey?" Ms. Taylor has, of course, managed to touch on the one subject in The Color Purple that I can't even begin to comment on. Please don't call on me. Please don't call on me. Ms. Taylor is eyeing the class like a hawk about to swoop down on some unsuspecting field mice. A really hot hawk with great hair and an appreciation for literature, I might add . . . which reminds me, I should stop crushing on her in class, especially since it's the beginning of the school year. Ms. Taylor sets her sights on my friend Tess. "Any thoughts?" she asks. Tess looks up at Ms. Taylor with those mousy eyes, her retainer glistening under the fluorescent lights. I've told her to stop wearing it at school, but she insists her teeth will not be compromised for popularity. "I think Celie finds Shug attractive . . . like in a romantic fashion," Tess says. The snickering begins with Ashley Martin and Lisa Katz. They're the girls every guy at our school has fantasized about since we were in ninth grade, which I find strangely disturbing. I'm pretty sure Mr. Harris, our science teacher, has been seeing Ashley outside of school. I should probably tell Ms.