Review: Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

New York Times bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed have teamed up to create a fun, fresh novel about politics, religion and adolescence. Jamie and Maya are both having a lousy summer. For Jamie, his whole summer has been about helping his mother organise his annoying (but cute) little sister's Bat Mitzvah. Meanwhile, it's Ramadan, Maya's parents have announced a trial separation and not only is her best friend about to move away to college (while Maya still has a year left at high school,) but she seems to have more or less forgotten Maya's existence.

Oh, and add to that their parents are expecting them to go about canvassing door-to-door on behalf of a local political candidate. Together. When they barely know one another.

What follows is a summer where the pair learn a lot about themselves, about speaking up for the things that matter, and the niggling feeling that they may just be falling in love ...

This was a fun and fresh read that handles some difficult subject matter well. We live in a difficult political climate and the authors do not shy away from some of the dirty tricks that are often used during elections (or in this case, a by-election,) and the importance of speaking up for the things that matter, and to keep speaking up, even when the outcome isn't favourable. It also perfectly highlights how a pair of teenagers not yet old enough to vote can make a difference in their local area. However, where this novel really shines is through its accurate depiction of how Jamie and Maya fall in love, in spite of some opposition from their parents mostly due to their differences in religion. 

This is a great read, handled well and with a whole lot of warmth. 

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for my reading copy. 

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