This COMING-OF-AGE, MIDDLE GRADE novel in VERSE is about Aafiyah Qamar, a Pakistani American girl who comes from a well to do family, loves playing tennis, reading weird but true facts and hanging out with her best friend, Zaina.

Unfortunately for her, Aafiyah is also drawn to pretty things and she cannot help but occasionally “borrow” them. In a turn of events, her father is accused and arrested for a crime that he did not commit.

What follows is the journey of a teenager forced into unforeseen circumstances, trying to find a way to put her family together again. What she has to discover still, is that doing what’s right isn’t always easy.

This is a very well written middle-grade verse dealing beautifully with complex emotions that a teen goes through when forced into such situations. What I absolutely loved is the authors take on kleptomania, especially the delicate nature with which its presented.

The author also managed to refrain from any clichés that are usually found in abundances in stories with south-east Asian backgrounds. This is a good book that you might finish in just one sitting and will not disappoint with its representation and quality. ( )

Aafiyah plays tennis, hangs out with her best friend Zaina, and collects Weird but True! facts. Unfortunately, she's also drawn to taking things that don't belong to her, such as Zaina's lip gloss, an eyeshadow compact, her teacher's rainbow prism. As Aafiyah says, "I like the feeling of something new in my hands that's not mine," although she does feel guilt each time she steals something. When Aafiyah's father is falsely detained in Dubai, Aafiyah considers turning to her bad habit to help get her father a lawyer. A perceptive and mindful portrayal of a problematic behavior and its consequences. Backmatter includes glossary of Pakistani and Muslim words. ( )

Reem Faruqi is gifted at creating complex, slightly flawed characters that endear themselves to the reader. This is true of Aafiyah in Golden Girl, the story of a middle schooler with sticky fingers. The verse format keeps this story right on pace where you don't want to put it down. Middle schoolers and upper elementary students will enjoy the drama that unfolds. I went through many feelings about Aafiyah from rooting for her, feeling sympathy for her, undergoing disappointment, and ultimately sharing in her relief and satisfaction. This would be a wonderful book for a book club as it gives so much to discuss. As in her book Unsettled, Reem Faruqi also includes a Pakastani recipe at the back of the book. ( )