Driving by Starlight

Set in Saudi Arabia, this YA novel “shows teenage girls who take control of their futures by turning the very system that imprisons them against itself” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

Sixteen-year-olds Leena and Mishie are best friends. They delight in small rebellions against the Saudi cultural police—secret Western clothing, forbidden music, flirtations. But Leena wants college, independence—she wants a different life. Though her story is specific to her world—a world where it’s illegal for women to drive, where a ten-year-old boy is the natural choice as guardian of a fatherless woman— ultimately it’s a story about friendship, family, and freedom that transcends cultural differences.

“An eye-opening window into the rigidly restricted lives, clandestine rebellions, and consequential choices of women in a land where “everything we want is forbidden or dangerous.” — Publishers' Weekly, starred review

“In a growing oeuvre centering on experiences of young Muslim women, Deracine's debut stands out for its nuanced characterization and twisting plot.” — The Horn Book

“Part romance, part thriller, and wholly intriguing, Anat Deracine's Driving by Starlight is an engaging chronicle of a razor-sharp witted girl coming of age in Saudi Arabia.” — BookPage