This is a beautiful, difficult, important book. The writing is stunning, the setting is underrepresented, and so many heavy topics are deftly handled. A stunner.

I'm having a hard time rating this book. 4.5 stars for now.

Stripped way down, it's a fairly universal story -- a girl, fighting for independence in a world that doesn't value her, makes a special connection with the only boy who sees her for who she truly is -- but the scenery, the characters, the brutal world they live in make this book unique and important. The characters are wonderfully, fully realized -- they burst off the page, desperate to make you hear their stories and beg that you understand them. Zarin chafes against not only the harsh rules of Saudi society, but her overbearing, abusive home life as well. She doesn't fit in anywhere; anathema in a world where she is expected to be as anonymous and compliant as possible.

However, it is this overbearing sense of "important-ness" that keeps me from wholly singing its praises. Bhathena seemed overly aware of her book's unique situation, making her writing diamond-sharp and incisive. This thin veneer of pretension kept me from engaging fully with the story.

Ultimately, "A Girl Like That" broke my heart into a million pieces.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the E-ARC copy of this book!
A Girl Like That is a beautifully written gem! It is a absolute must read just like The Hate U Give. Zarin is a character that you can feel and understand so completely. The novel is unique and endearing, it is set in Saudi Arabia, which helps enhance the feel and energy of the plot. The story will make you cry, feel angry, but most of all it makes you feel motivated to change our world. Tanaz Bhathena has a creative and thoughtful novel about our world. It shows that no matter your race, religion, or sex we can relate through the human spirit! PLEASE read this book it is wonderful.