It centers on Bijan Majidi, a student known for flying under the radar.

His mother is horrified, and the school administration is outraged.

They promise to find and punish the culprit.

Author Sara Farizan At Newtonville Books

Credit: Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

And unfortunately, the idea for the book is rooted in a very real tragedy.

Here to Staywill be published Sept. 18.

My first two novels were written in graduate school, when I didnt have an audience.

HERE-TO-STAY-by-Sara-Farizan-for-EW-(1)

Algonquin Young Readers

I still do and probably always will use a lot of humor in my work.

I hope that the myth that you could only have one title per identity group succeed has been debunked.

Where are you from?

A favorite graphic novel I came across this year that was published a while ago wasTomboyby Liz Prince.

Hes a good kid, and Im very fond of him.

I hope readers are too.