The Beauty of Us Book Review

The Beauty of Us is a fiction book that follows the stories of Leesa, Zahabiya, and Nahla; two students and a teacher at Thornton Academy. Zahabiya struggles to fit in as a racialized student while coping with a changing family dynamic, while Leesa hides an inappropriate relationship, and teacher Nahla copes with family and cultural tensions. A diary left behind by Nahla’s deceased predecessor helps Zabhabiya and her friends uncover Leesa’s secret, while dealing with bullying and finding friendship and love along the way. The Beauty of Us draws attention to the often ignored issues of sexual violence and abuse of power. Through the stories of Marie, Mei, and Leesa, this book provides an empathetic and honest look into the experiences of survivors of sexual violence and the emotional impact of abuse. This book discusses heavy topics in a respectful and intersectional manner, and emphasizes how difficult it can be for someone to realize that they are being taken advantage of. The Beauty of Us presents positive queer, Indigenous, and racialized role models that take centre stage as main characters and problem-solvers. Readers should keep in mind that this book discusses child abuse, gender-based violence, body-image issues, and trauma. This book is ideal for those looking for a heartbreaking yet hopeful fiction title that offers positive representation for readers.“A bully and a victim. Thornton was teaching me that someone could be both, that there were shades of grey in things I’d once thought were only black and white.”