Tuesday, June 2, 2020

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

Image: HarperCollins Publishers
Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed. Unabridged e-audiobook. ~11 hours. Read by Tiya Sircar and Michael Crouch. HarperAudio/ Balzer + Bray/ HarperCollins Publishers, February, 2020. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Teen Tuesday features Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed. Jamie Goldberg has a lot of things going for him. He's a great big brother and a good friend. He's conscientous and reliable, not to mention 24/7 tech support for his IG influencer grandmother. He's also working on the political campaign of a long-shot candidate. He'll work behind the scenes. Just don't ask him to talk to strangers. 

Maya Rehman is having a terrible Ramadan. Her best and only friend is too busy to see her and she needs to talk out some news that rocked her world - her parents' separation. The last thing she wants to do is volunteer for a political campaign; but her mother thinks it would be good experience. 

The two are paired to do some door-to-door canvassing. Jamie not only has to talk to strangers, but also this lovely girl. They not only encounter hostility for their candidate; Maya is subjected to Islamaphobic remarks. Stakes over the election grow higher when a bill is introduced that would discriminate against Muslims. If Jamie's candidate doesn't win, chances are the bill will pass. 

Political issues plus two smart, socially aware teens equals a thoughtful romance. Michael Crouch is one of my favorite narrators. He has a youthful sounding voice and conveys Jamie's awkwardness so endearingly that my heart just melted. New-to-me narrator Tia Sircar also sounded youthful and brought Maya's anxiety to life. Yes No Maybe So is a terrific addition to any YA romance collection. 

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