About This Book
Reach for this book when your teen is navigating the complexities of a multi-ethnic identity or feels like they are caught between two different worlds. Set in a world inspired by Greco-Roman Egypt, it follows Jessamy, a girl of mixed heritage who must use her skills in a dangerous, parkour-like athletic competition called Fives to save her family from a power-hungry lord. Through her journey, the story explores the weight of systemic inequality and the courage required to define oneself when society demands a label. This is a sophisticated choice for readers aged 12 and up who are ready for mature themes of social hierarchy, prejudice, and political intrigue. Parents will appreciate how it uses a fantasy setting to mirror real-world issues like colorism and classism. It provides a powerful framework for discussing how one maintains integrity and family loyalty within an unjust system, all while keeping readers hooked with high-stakes sports action and a touch of romance.
