Unbecoming - by Seema Yasmin

Book Synopsis

Two Muslim teens in Texas fight for access to abortion while one harbors a painful secret in this near-future speculative novel "with sparkling humor and warmth" (Booklist, starred review) that's perfect for fans of Unpregnant.

In a not-too-distant America, abortions are prosecuted and the right to choose is no longer an option. But best friends Laylah and Noor want to change the world. After graduating high school, they'll become an OBGYN and a journalist, but in the meantime, they're working on an illegal guide to abortion in Texas.

In response to the unfair laws, underground networks of clinics have sprung up, but the good fight has gotten even more precarious as it becomes harder to secure safe medication and supplies. Both Laylah and Noor are passionate about getting their guide completed so it can help those in need, but Laylah treats their project with an urgency Noor doesn't understand--that may have something to do with the strange goings-on between their mosque and a local politician.

Fighting for what they believe in may involve even more obstacles than they bargained for, but the two best friends will continue as they always have: together.

Review Quotes

"...relevant look at the ingenuity, tenacity, and hope of two teens fighting for their right to choose."---Publishers Weekly "6/24/2024"

"Laylah and Noor are strong characters with clear goals and aspirations; Yasmin weaves in their opinions on Islam and relationships, emphasizing the importance of being able to make the choices that affect one's life."---Kirkus Reviews "6/1/24"

"Yasmin leavens the story with sparkling humor and warmth. Laylah and Noor are the stars of the novel, but the well-rounded secondary characters are not far behind. This is a smart and beautifully written book, with a plot pulled from the front page of any newspaper."---Booklist, STARRED REVIEW "4/15/24"

About the Author

Seema Yasmin is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, medical doctor, professor, and poet. She attended medical school at Cambridge University and worked as a disease detective for the US federal government's Epidemic Intelligence Service. She currently teaches storytelling at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a regular contributor to CNN, Self, and Scientific American, among others.