The Henna Start-up

Abir Maqsood is angry. She has things to do: a career to carve, money to earn, and, in the small stuff, a dining table to fix. But there are many obstacles in the way: lack of money, her parents’ over-protective attitude, and a most annoying distraction in class called Arsalan. When her mother is not paid her dues for her henna service, Abir resolves to help her by creating a henna app. Her college is also running a program for student start-ups so things look most fortuitous. But the path to getting funding is littered with more thorns than roses. As Abir navigates through college, friendships and social pressures with determination, will she find the freedom that she is truly looking for? Winner of the Neev Book Award 2024 • the Crossword Book Award • the BK Children’s Book Award • the Auther Award