In a world beset by anger and fear, what does it mean to protect one’s home and family?

Olive and Gabe — her older brother’s best friend — are deeply in love. They want nothing more than to make a home and family together, especially after the overdose death of Olive’s brother, Chris. It won’t be easy. Gabe works three jobs, and Olive still needs to finish high school, but their future together feels certain and right.

But when Samir Paudel moves into the house across the street, Olive's and Gabe’s lives are disrupted. The Paudel house is overfull with family and friends, and they play loud music at all hours. Yet Olive is drawn to them, particularly to Samir’s little nephew, Bhim, and his grandfather, Hajurba.

Yet Samir’s very presence seems to awaken in Gabe an intense anger — toward immigrants he believes are taking resources from White Americans — resources that would have saved Chris and his own father, who has lost his job and is now struggling with ill health and alcoholism.

When Olive realizes that Gabe and his family are the source of escalating aggressions toward the Paudels, she no longer recognizes the loyal, loving boy she fell in love with.

Key Text Features

author’s note

alternating narratives/points of view

chapters