The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue By Zoulfa Katouh

DIVE INTO A DEEPLY MOVING, UNFORGETTABLE STORY OF LOSS, IDENTITY, RESILIENCE, AND THE HEALING POWER OF ART FROM ZOULFA KATOUH, AUTHOR OF THE GLOBAL SENSATION AS LONG AS THE LEMON TREES GROW.

What if grief drained your world of colour and you had to find a way to paint it back?

Following the sudden and devastating death of her mother, Jihad hopes that transferring to an elite high school will offer her a much-needed fresh start. Instead, she finds herself isolated and judged as the only Muslim student, marked by her hijab and even her name. Surrounded by suspicion and quiet hostility, trusting anyone feels impossible—until a single classmate shows her unexpected kindness.

As grief tightens its hold, Jihad retreats into the one place she feels truly safe: an old sketchbook filled with cherished memories of her mother. Through art and storytelling, she begins to reconnect with the past. But what starts as a personal escape soon transforms into something far more powerful, challenging her to embrace who she is, reclaim her voice, and bring colour back into her life.

Why this book is a must-have:

• Global Bestselling Author: Written by Zoulfa Katouh, celebrated internationally for her breathtaking breakout hit As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow.

• Heart-Wrenching & Hopeful Themes: Explores grief, emotional resilience, Muslim identity, representation, friendship, and navigating prejudice.

• The Transformative Power of Art: A touching narrative about how creativity, memory, and storytelling can heal fractured hearts.

• Essential YA Contemporary: A must-read emotional journey for fans of diverse young adult fiction and powerful coming-of-age stories that stay with you long after the final page.

Reclaim your voice and bring colour back into your world. Add The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue to your collection at Beetle Bookshop today—enjoy 10–14% off and Free Shipping on orders above ₹500!