09/16/2019
When humans are notified via a coded message that the fate of Earth is to be decided in one week by an interplanetary jury of 13 Scions (randomly selected citizens of the planet Alma), things on Earth veer into chaos. Earth—or Project Epoch—is deemed a failed experiment, and the Alma believe it’s time to end it, unless the Scions determine otherwise. Adeem, a Muslim teen from Carson City, is en route to Roswell to find his sister Leyla, who ran away soon after coming out. San Francisco teen Cate decides to find her father; based on limited details from her mentally ill mother, she heads to track him down. Rounding out the cast is Roswell native Jesse, who boots up one of his late father’s inventions to allegedly send messages to Alma on behalf of desperate, paying customers. As news spreads about Jesse and his machine, he unwittingly provides hope to many, and Roswell becomes a destination point for those trying to make the most of their time left. Part road trip story and part tale of human resilience, this debut examines human nature and how people react in the most desperate of times. Though Rishi’s cast of characters are seemingly strangers, clues throughout show how lives can intersect. Through inserted transcripts from the jury’s debate and the actions of the teens and those who help them along the way, Rishi paints a clear picture of why humankind is worth saving. Ages 13–up. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Literary Management. (Oct.)
Thought-provoking and full of heart, I Hope You Get This Message reminds us how fragile and fleeting time can be. One of the best debut novels I’ve read in a long time!
If aliens were to read Rishi’s beautifully written book, they would discover that human beings are gloriously weighed down by gravity—the gravity of love, of memory, and most of all of our connections to each other. This is a vital debut with a big, beating heart.
Heart-wrenching, absorbingly clever, and beautifully written. Rishi deftly balances a tale of global consequences with riveting, intimate, and deeply personal stories. I Hope You Get This Message is one of the best and freshest YA stories I’ve seen in a long time.
Rishi’s debut consistently tugs heartstrings, and the multiple perspectives allow an intimate look into each character—their brand of pain may vary, but it hurts just the same.
Rishi is to be commended for taking a plot that sounds like a summer action blockbuster movie and . . . infusing it all along the way with oodles of heart.”
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Rishi’s debut novel skillfully addresses complex contemporary issues on both the global (environmental damage, war, greed) and personal (identity, mental health) scales.
Imaginative, funny, and frank, I Hope You Get This Message is a must-read debut about love, loss, hope, and the real-world choices we make in our final days.
A stunning and bold debut, the kind of sweeping story that is devoured in a single sitting. Part Arrival , part They Both Die at the End , this is an emotional tale of three kids who face their own demise with hope, courage, and a whole lot of bad decisions.
The end of the world has never been this mesmerizing. I couldn’t look away from Farah Naz Rishi’s stunning debut that shows humanity in all its many shades of truth.
10/01/2019
Gr 8 Up— What if Earth were a grand experiment by a group of alien scientists on a planet we never even knew existed? What if, seven days from now, the experiment was scheduled to end and all of the test specimens marked for termination? And what if the fate of all humans hinged on the deliberations of a group of aliens light years away? Jesse is a troubled kid living with his overworked mom, struggling to find his purpose in the almost abandoned community of Roswell. Adeem is a gifted coder bored with school and longing to understand why his sister left their family years prior. Cate has her hands full taking care of her mentally ill mother. When the planet Alma announces its deliberations and intent to end the experiment they call Project Epoch, everyone on Earth reacts to the potential end of the world differently, and these three are pushed to get answers to the questions that haunt them. Will they find the answers they seek before Alma finishes its deliberations? The book is told in alternating chapters from the points of view of its three protagonists. The main characters are well-crafted and, while their motives are all different, the desperation and need to complete their tasks comes across as genuine. Telling an end-of-the-world story can sometimes feel melodramatic, but Rishi chooses to focus her narrative on her characters and their individual struggles as opposed to the world at large, keeping the story personal. The tone and pace are well balanced and there are even a few touches of humor to help lighten the mood. VERDICT An entertaining, well-written coming-of-age story set during the end of the world.—Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX
2019-07-26
Against this doomsday backdrop, three teens must decide what to do with their remaining days. Adeem, a Pakistani American Muslim, lives in Carson City, Nevada, and misses his big sister, Leyla, who disappeared from his life two years ago after coming out as gay. Cate, a white San Francisco girl living with her mentally ill mother, wants to find the father who abandoned them. Jesse, who is gay and white, lives with his widowed mother in Roswell, New Mexico. Once word spreads that the aliens of the planet Alma are sitting in judgment, worldwide chaos ensues. Adeem, a ham radio enthusiast, hears a message from Leyla and sets out for Roswell, where the message originated. Cate goes on a quest to find her father. Jesse discovers a machine created by his father and starts a lucrative scam "sending" messages to Alma. The three teens' compelling stories overlap and intertwine. Transcripts from Alma's Interplanetary Affairs Committee offer clever insight into the moral dilemma faced by the 13 alien jurors who must weigh the value of human life against our species' violence, cruelty, and environmental destruction. The inclusion of details of Adeem's Muslim background and the understated acceptance of the gay characters are strengths.
Tautly plotted, with realistic characters and situations, this debut will please enthusiasts of both science fiction and realistic fiction. (Science fiction. 13-18)
The end of the world has never been this mesmerizing. I couldn’t look away from Farah Naz Rishi’s stunning debut that shows humanity in all its many shades of truth.” — Adam Silvera, New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End
“A stunning and bold debut, the kind of sweeping story that is devoured in a single sitting. Part Arrival , part They Both Die at the End , this is an emotional tale of three kids who face their own demise with hope, courage, and a whole lot of bad decisions.” — Mark Oshiro, Schneider Award-winning author of Anger Is a Gift
“Heart-wrenching, absorbingly clever, and beautifully written. Rishi deftly balances a tale of global consequences with riveting, intimate, and deeply personal stories. I Hope You Get This Message is one of the best and freshest YA stories I’ve seen in a long time.” — R.F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War
“Thought-provoking and full of heart, I Hope You Get This Message reminds us how fragile and fleeting time can be. One of the best debut novels I’ve read in a long time!” — Akemi Dawn Bowman, author of Starfish , a William C. Morris Award Finalist
“If aliens were to read Rishi’s beautifully written book, they would discover that human beings are gloriously weighed down by gravity—the gravity of love, of memory, and most of all of our connections to each other. This is a vital debut with a big, beating heart.” — Abdi Nazemian, author of Like a Love Story
“Imaginative, funny, and frank, I Hope You Get This Message is a must-read debut about love, loss, hope, and the real-world choices we make in our final days.” — Sona Charaipotra, author of Symptoms of a Heartbreak and coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things series
“For Adeem, Cate, Jesse and readers alike, the end of the world might turn out to be the beginning of hope.” — BookPage.com (starred review)
“Tautly plotted, with realistic characters and situations, this debut will please enthusiasts of both science fiction and realistic fiction.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Rishi’s debut consistently tugs heartstrings, and the multiple perspectives allow an intimate look into each character—their brand of pain may vary, but it hurts just the same.” — ALA Booklist
“Part road trip story and part tale of human resilience, this debut examines human nature and how people react in the most desperate of times.” — Publishers Weekly
“An entertaining, well-written coming-of-age story set during the end of the world.” — School Library Journal
“Rishi’s debut novel skillfully addresses complex contemporary issues on both the global (environmental damage, war, greed) and personal (identity, mental health) scales.” — Horn Book Magazine
“Rishi is to be commended for taking a plot that sounds like a summer action blockbuster movie and . . . infusing it all along the way with oodles of heart.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
For Adeem, Cate, Jesse and readers alike, the end of the world might turn out to be the beginning of hope.
BookPage.com (starred review)
