The Lines We Cross, written by Randa Abdel-Fattah, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary:  Mina has just moved from Sydney, Australia to a smaller community where her recently immigrated Afghani family will open a halal restaurant. Michael attends Mina’s new school, and is immediately interested in her intelligence and humor. But Michael’s father is the head of an anti-immigration group called Aussie Values, which speaks openly against immigrants in the community and spurs racism and occasional violence in some members. When Mina finds out about Michael’s family, she is not sure she can trust him, especially after seeing some old video footage of him preaching the Aussie Values message. But as Michael gets to know Mina and learns the story of why she and her family fled Afghanistan, he starts to question the Aussie Values stance, which brings him closer to Mina but creates tension within his family.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  The Lines We Cross is an incredibly poignant novel for teens living in today’s world filled with political conflict. Both sides of the anti-immigration issue are presented in alternating chapters by both Michael and Mina. Mina shares her firsthand perspective of why it was essential for her family to leave Afghanistan in a clear and direct manner that instantly garnered my sympathy. The counterpoint is represented most heavily by Michael’s father and the Aussie Values group, and is presented reasonably and with explanation. There is room for students on either side of this issue to recognize their perspective, though ultimately both main characters come to align their thinking in support of immigration. While this book specifically takes place in Australia, the issues discussed are extremely relevant in the United States as well, making it easy to transfer ideas presented to a more local context. The Lines We Cross will be an engaging choice novel for many, but has curricular potential in a civics or government class due to its connection to current events and legal issues. An excellent addition to collections looking to bolster fiction on social issues or where Abdel-Fattah’s other books are popular.