In the late 1980s, Farrin is an Iranian teenage girl whose privileged family is still hoping the Shah’s son in exile will overthrow the Ayatollah Khomeini. But Farrin cares nothing about politics. She hates her mother’s monthly teas with other wealthy women who secretly support the old regime. In fact, there’s little Farrin likes about her spoiled, strident mother. She’s much closer to her hard-working father. Then Farrin falls in love with her friend Sadira. The two girls know they can’t be open with their affection, but a fellow student catches them in a kiss, and their families ban them from seeing each another. Making plans to secretly run away, they are instead arrested as deviants by government soldiers during a raid. Farrin is sentenced to death, with Sadira’s fate unknown to her. Released at the last minute, Farrin discovers her father has promised her to her family’s servant as his wife in exchange for him getting her out of the country. To her it’s a betrayal, one made worse by the realization that she was probably lied to about Sadira’s fate. Facing life as a different kind of prisoner, Farrin makes a second escape to an unknown future, but one of her own making. This gripping story is set against the backdrop of the fear and oppression in Iran under the Ayatollah. An author’s note gives more context, explaining that the story is based on the life of an Iranian woman now living in the west, whom Ellis met. (Age 14 and older)

Fifteen-year-old Farrin has many secrets. Although she goes to a school for gifted girls in Tehran, as the daughter of an aristocratic mother and wealthy father Farrin must keep a low profile. It is 1988; ever since the Shah was overthrown, the deeply conservative and religious government controls every facet of life in Iran. If the Revolutionary Guard finds out about her mother's Bring Back the Shah activities, her family could be thrown in jail or worse. The day she meets Sadira, Farrin's life changes forever. Sadira is funny, wise and outgoing; the two girls become inseparable. But as their friendship deepens into romance, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be a homosexual in Iran; the punishment is death. Despite their efforts to keep their love secret, the girls are discovered and arrested. Separated from Sadira, Farrin can only pray as she awaits execution. Will her family find a way to save them both?