Dickens & Rumi
Cover of YES NO MAYBE SO

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YES NO MAYBE SO

Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

Romance blooms between two unlikely teens while working together on an upcoming local election. (Ages 14 to 17)

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? The novel includes teen romance, kissing, political conflict, Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism, family tensions, and emotionally mature discussions, but no explicit sexual content. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Religious themes4/5
  • Romance4/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

Death is not a central theme or plot point.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Includes some mild profanity and slang typical of teenage conversation.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

LGBTQIA themes are briefly touched upon as part of the broader inclusive high school setting.

Religious themes4/5
Why this rating?

Muslim and Jewish identities, family traditions, and faith-related expectations are important to the characters and story, while remaining part of a broader political and personal narrative.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

A central first-love storyline includes attraction, dating, emotional intimacy, and kissing.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Contains minor social tension and anxiety, but nothing frightening or scary.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains mild teenage romantic exploration and conversation, but no explicit sexual content.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Substance use is not a focus of this story.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

No significant violence is present in this contemporary realistic fiction.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters show courage by stepping outside their comfort zones to engage in civic work.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative thinking regarding how to mobilize and inspire others.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

The story centers a Pakistani American Muslim girl and a Jewish boy, with meaningful attention to varied identities and communities.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into local grassroots political activism.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Emphasis on empathy and standing up for others in the community.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes support civic participation, empathy, confronting prejudice, communication, community responsibility, and staying engaged despite setbacks.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Characters are proactive and display strong growth, learning to balance duty and self-expression.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. What beliefs or religious ideas appear in the story? How do they influence the characters?
  3. Which choice in YES NO MAYBE SO would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in YES NO MAYBE SO, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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