Navid acted as a mentor to Shirin, cheered her up, and stuck up for her as she began breakdancing. “A Very Large Expanse of Sea” destroys the stereotypes that Muslim girls can’t have, and actually be good at, hobbies like music, sports, writing, etc. The two decide to start a breakdancing club at their new school. As they were growing up, Shirin and Navid discovered breakdancing videos and fell in love with it. They have an endearing, close-knit bond that most siblings do not share. Shirin’s other prominent relationship is the one she has with her brother, Navid. In order to save Ocean from the prejudice and hate that he has never had to experience, Shirin cuts off their relationship. But, because Ocean is white and the star of the school’s basketball team, Shirin knows that their relationship will not be accepted by others. Shirin quickly puts up a fence between their relationship in order to spare herself, even though she has feelings for him too. Ocean starts to show an interest in Shirin, asking to know more about her and wanting to hang out with her. Shirin builds a protective wall around herself and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her - that is until she meets Ocean James. She is used to isolating herself at school by avoiding all eye-contact and only communicating with others if necessary.

While being stereotyped by the world, Shirin begins to treat everyone else the same way. Mafi spares no feelings and tells the absolute truth, creating the realistic and steel-edged descriptions of Shirin’s life. “A Very Large Expanse of Sea” is written by Tahereh Mafi, who based this book on most of her own experiences in high school.

After being stereotyped and bullied at all of her other schools, Shirin’s parents have kept moving in order to find a better life for themselves. In 2002, a year after 9/11, 16-year-old Muslim, Shirin, has transferred to yet another school.

A very large expanse of sea review