- One Word, Six Letters
- by Adib Khorram
- Henry Holt Books for Young Readers/Macmillan
- Publication Date:March 17, 2026
- ISBN: 978-1250405562
When Dayton takes a dare and shouts the f slur at a visiting author, the fallout is immediate and severe. Dayton receives a 3 day in school suspension. His friends stop speaking to him. The fallout also affects Farshid who is questioning his sexuality. Farshid is also dealing with anxiety and body dysmorphia issues which are exacerbated by the use of the f slur.
A powerful novel and a great read. Khorram shows how one poor choice can spiral and how slurs used while “just joking” cause harm. The story is told from a dual POV, However, the chapters are clearly labelled enabling the reader to know which character is speaking. Khorram skillfully and sensitively deals with the issues of body dysmorphia , toxic masculinity and being different from your peers. Short chapters and a fast moving plot make this a great Quick Pick!
Similar titles include Here to Stay by Sarah Farizan and Dragging Curtis County by Curtis Campbell.
–Beth Slade