Mad, Bad, & Dangerous to Know

Reach for this book when your teenager is wrestling with the complexities of a multi-hyphenate identity or feeling like their history has been erased by the traditional school curriculum. This dual-timeline mystery follows Khayyam, a French-Indian-American girl in modern Paris, and Leila, a woman from the 1800s whose story has been silenced by time. Together, their journeys explore how we reclaim our narratives and find belonging in spaces that were not originally built for us. It is a sophisticated, intellectual read that balances a high-stakes art mystery with deep emotional reflections on heritage and justice. Ideal for ages 14 and up, this novel provides a powerful framework for discussing how history is written and who gets to be the hero of the story.