Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Sixteen-year-old Taliah has never met her father. Her mother claims that he is someone from her homeland in Jordan, but after gathering some clues, Taliah believes he is rock star Julian Oliver, who grew up in the same Indiana town where her mother attended college. Taliah-s suspicions are confirmed when Julian unexpectedly arrives on her doorstep with a request that she accompany him to meet her dying paternal grandfather. On a whim (and since her mother is conveniently in Paris), Taliah decides to go. In Oak Falls, Ind., she comes to know her father-s mother, her cousins, and an interesting boy who lives next door, while gaining insight into her parents- relationship and learning something about her own potential as a musician and as a friend. Warga (My Heart and Other Black Holes) skillfully combines three tales: one of introverted Taliah coming out of her shell, one of Taliah-s mother as a young immigrant, and one of Julian-s rising career and unrequited love. Intriguing, romantic, and honest, the book celebrates the new beginnings that can emerge from tragic endings. Ages 14-up. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Nov.)

Kirkus Reviews

Sixteen-year-old Taliah Abdallat has fantasized about the father she's never met appearing at her doorstep, but she's undone when he finally shows up unannounced. Ever since she found a note in a hidden shoebox in her mother's room three years ago, Taliah has suspected that her real father is none other than the white American rock star Julian Oliver and not the vague "boy from back home" her Jordanian mother always referred to. Given everything from her love of music to her blue eyes, the unlikely story makes perfect sense to Taliah. But Julian hasn't answered her letters, and her mother hasn't answered her questions. So when Julian shows up while her mother is traveling and asks Taliah to come home with him to meet his family, she has every reason to hesitate. But the promise of finding out the whole story her mother hasn't told her is enough to get her to agree to the trip, and it's more than enough to keep readers hooked. Over an intense few days, Taliah comes to understand her secretive mother better and to gain perspective on her own choices. Readers will find an exceptional portrayal of an Arab Muslim-immigrant experience in Taliah's mother, sensitively juxtaposed with small-town Americana and popular culture. A well-executed family drama of the power of romantic and parental love, secrets, regrets, and new beginnings. (Fiction. 13-18)

ALA Booklist (Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Could it be that Taliah's dad is über rock star Julian Oliver? Mom Lena has always been guarded about the identity of her daughter's father, but when Taliah uncovers some clues about the truth, she launches a remarkable journey of discovery. Julian himself, in a personal crisis as his father lays dying, responds to Taliah's outreach, rather abruptly taking her to meet his family, and revealing the story of his love affair with her mother to Taliah's utter amazement. Lena, meanwhile, has been out of town and races back as soon as she knows Taliah and Julian have met. Taliah has issues with both parents' past decisions and deals with being kept in the dark for years. In flashbacks that feature Lena and Julian's early days together, readers get a unique chance to peek at parents' younger selves. Warga has penned an intense family drama that will pull readers in with poignancy, romance, and grief over lost relationships, all set to the beat of scattered song lyrics woven nicely through the narrative.

Voice of Youth Advocates (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Taliah Abdallat has grown up believing that the father absent from her life is a mystery man with whom her mom had a quick fling while in her home country of Jordan for a family funeral. Taliah starts doubting this story when she finds a shoebox of letters and magazine clippings from and about American indie rock star Julian Oliver. Putting the clues together—her striking blue eyes and musical talent—Taliah pens letter after letter to Julian, hoping he will respond. After three years of letters, he shows up at her doorstep. His father is dying and he is finally ready to connect with the daughter he has never met. Taliah and her best friend, Harlow, agree to accompany Julian to his family home, giving Taliah the opportunity to get to know her father, not as a rock star, but as a real man who has made mistakes and has many regrets. She discovers that both Lena (her mother) and Julian have made bad decisions in their lives, and she has to decide how she feels as the truth unravels. While this book is less weighty than Warga’s first, her fans will be excited to get their hands on this one. Warga’s writing style is engaging and her characters are real and likable, even when they make choices with which the reader may not agree. This timely, multicultural novel hits all the right notes in the right ways: the power of music, a diverse cast of characters, insight into the immigrant experience, dynamics of familial love and legacy, thrill of romance, and multigenerational appeal.—Kate Neff.