(Un)arranged Marriage works through Manny's rebellious wit and the high stakes of his looming seventeenth birthday. The gritty British Punjabi dialogue and raw family tension create a sense of urgency as he resists tradition. Books in this family share an unfiltered look at cultural duty, featuring determined protagonists who navigate intense domestic conflict.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is pushing back against family traditions or feeling torn between their cultural heritage and their personal desires. (Un)arranged Marriage follows Manny, a British-Punjabi teen whose parents plan to marry him off at seventeen. For Manny, this path means sacrificing his own dreams of a different life. The book powerfully explores themes of independence, identity, and the heartbreaking cost of freedom, making it a valuable read for teens 13-17. It opens the door to crucial conversations about navigating intense family expectations and choosing your own future, even when the choice is incredibly difficult.
