An unforgettable, heartwarming, hilarious coming-of-age story about faith, family, all kinds of love, and a Black Muslim teen pursuing an ordinary goal in an extraordinary time.

Barely one week into senior year of high school, Boston native Zakiyyah is making her 2012-2013 Get Free Plan.

Step one: quit high school. (PSA: There are other ways to get to college!)

Step two: live like its Ramadan year-round.

As she gets deeper into her Plan, she starts to wonder if theres someone out there who would be a good companion. To everyones surprise, Zakiyyah decides she wants to get married. But there are some complications.

Problem one: shes never met a guy she liked. Zakiyyahs family (reluctantly) and friends (eagerly) agree to support the search.

Problem two: whats the secret to choosing a good life partner?

Enter Musa, by way of mutual friends. With marriage in mind, Zakiyyah and Musa get to know each other, progressing from email to instant messaging to phone calls. Things are going well thrillingly well until tragedy strikes Boston. In a moment of heightened emotion and stress, Zakiyyah and Musa have their first major disagreement.

Zakiyyah can call the whole thing off. But with or without Musa, what does it mean to live on her own terms?

Autumn Allenis the author of the young adult novelAll You Have to Doand forthcoming picture books includingStep on Board: Sculpting a Memorial to Harriet Tubman, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, andAnswered Prayers. She is a senior editor at Barefoot Books, an educator, and a childrens literature specialist. She holds masters degrees in education, childrens literature, and writing for children from Harvard University and Simmons University. Autumn grew up in Boston and lives in Massachusetts with her family. Visit her online at AutumnAllenBooks.com.

• Publisher: Kokila
• Publish Date: July 28, 2026
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• Type: Hardback
• EAN/UPC: 9780593619070
• Dimensions: 8.3 X 5.5 X 0.9 inches | 0.92 pounds
• BISAC Categories: Teens & YAPopular Fiction