Finding Famous: A Mashad Family Novel

Gr 7 Up–Keeping Up with the Kardashians meets The Princess Diaries as Iranian American Josie Lawrence discovers her biological father is deceased media magnate Ali Mashad, beloved patriarch of the OG reality TV family. Anxious, ordinary Josie expected to spend the end of her senior year prepping for Stanford and enjoying time with her friends, but participating in just one season of Making Mashad could earn her millions of dollars—enough to pay for school and her family’s debts. Suddenly her life is NDAs and paparazzi, high fashion, and the Hollywood whirl, but Josie also gets the chance to bond with her half-sisters and connect with her Iranian heritage. Getting out of her comfort zone could be good for Josie, but the whole world is watching the newest Mashad daughter, and Josie has to decide how much she’s willing to risk. Jalili has fleshed out an incredible cast of characters, from Josie’s family and friends to the Mashads, bringing in themes of mental health, grief, family ties, and the pressures of celebrity as Josie navigates a whole new world. High drama keeps the plot pushing forward, while the impact of diaspora on the cast gives readers a window into a unique cultural experience. Close readers will appreciate the Easter egg references to pop culture icons like Gossip Girl and The Princess Diaries. The cast is diverse.