This was really good! I really enjoyed the story, the way we explored each girl's parallel lives and how those began to interact, learning how much more connected they were than they originally thought. I loved the way each had their own support system and how they were both experiencing betrayal from the same people in their lives but dealing with it both differently and the same- how that played out in their relationship to each other. I wasn't the biggest fan of the dialogue, the slang was outdated and didn't feel natural- like the author was trying to remember slang from her teenage years but couldn't quite get it to flow. That was a bit of a bother for me, I'm not the biggest fan of slang in books, I feel like things can be said and expressed in proper English while still maintaining the youth/immaturity of the characters but I also get why it was done and can't fault the choice too much, it's just a personal preference. I really liked how the cultural details were not explained to me but integrated into the story so that someone unfamiliar with the culture could understand it well enough but not like it was over explaining or teaching the reader as opposed to telling the story. Speaking of, I loved how she spoke of Somalia, the love and warmth she poured into Halima's POV whenever she thought back on it- I love that she could be that connected for Safiya also, telling her about it and answering her questions.
Overall, it was really good. it handled big emotions very well and I think captured the turmoil and internal back and forth of growing up too fast and without the proper support systems. These characters carried a lot but they still chose kindness and love and they were trying their best and it was really just a joy to read their developments across the story.

The central characterisation was excellent and I enjoyed unweaving this fractured family's story. Mohamud's writing is excellent and emotionally intelligent. However, I was not a fan of how one plot thread wrapped up.

I really enjoyed this. I did find it hard to keep track of who was speaking at times (possibly exacerbated by reading on a kindle) but for a change I enjoyed the dual narrators.

I warmed to both girls and felt for them in different ways.

I think I'd anticipated the major twist sometime before it was really revealed but the scene on the football pitch really confused me until the truth was revealed in the next chapter - and I loved that!

Good for seeing how harmful secrets can be; helpful insight into what being a Muslim might look like day to day - even just in terms of referring to prayer times quite naturally; clear on how hard emigrating/immigrating can be.

I'm grateful to Usborne and NetGalley for the ARC and certainly intend to get this for my school library.

I really enjoyed this story. I found it easy to read while dealing with subjects that a lot of teenagers deal with - friendships, family problems, school issues and wanting to unravel mysteries. A good summer holiday read.

After a stunning debut of You Think You Know Me, Ayaan Mohamud has done it again. This story is even more complex and intricate than her last – you think you would hate one person, then it turns out things are not that simple. I love how each character has their own layers to them, a perfect portrayal of real life. People are not perfect, they make mistakes and hurt people they love the most along the way. A must read, not only for Somali and Muslim readers, but everyone else alike.

This book explores the story of two ethnic Somali girls linked most unwillingly and unexpectedly by the decisions of the adults around them.

When Safia's father leaves his family in the UK to return to their country of origin, Somalia, the last thing she expects is for him to return to return to Britain with a new family, including his step daughter Halima.

The latter is desperate to return to the country she considers home, rather than living with her mother and stepfather in a country where she doesn't even speak the language.

The issues raised in this book are complex, which means that the book sometimes feels like less of an easy read than many others in the YA genre. But it has some important things to say, which do make it a worthwhile read. It gets 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This book follows the lives of two girls connected by one man-their father-and what happens when they are both faced with the actions of their parents.

I found this book quite difficult to get through due to pacing and structure. It felt at times like it dragged and that not much at all was happening, which is unfortunate because there is quite a bit to untangle. We have complicated family dynamics, immigration, and secrets yet they all felt overshadowed by how slow it felt and I did not find myself rushing through this.

Despite the pacing, this story is rich with culture and beauty.

This book follows the lives of two girls connected by one man. I loved how the story unfolded. I enjoyed the relationship between Safiya and Halima. The friendship between Muna and Safiya was refreshing.

I wish I saw more of how the relationship between the two families changed after the climax given how complex their story was. Nevertheless this was a good read.

If I must die, let it bring hope, let it be a tale. The Thread that connects us, Author Ayaan Mohamud holds these words as a reminder to write with hope , love, and humanity. while writing stories that matter. Safiya has struggled to pick up the pieces of her family. Halima doesn't want to move to England. As they uncover life changing secrets, they explore how they can find the keys to their problems. Summer touches on old and new hurts. Autumn deals with smoking guns , winding threads, moving towards the season of truth. Winter touches on journeys with an awakening , a chance to live and breathe. The Thread that Connects Us tells the inspiring story of how the characters find what they were looking for.. It is a touching journey towards peace and sprinklings of something new.

If you want a story about fractured families, school and friendship drama, sisterhood, bullying, and hidden secrets, this book is for you.

Halima is searching for a way to return to Somalia after her mother's husband relocates the family to England. Safiya is struggling to keep her household afloat and not break under the pressure. Both girls feel alone and unheard, and both feel betrayed by their blood.

I loved seeing the relationships develop, unravel, and reknit. Each connection is not quite what it seems on the surface, and I always felt like there were new secrets or problems being revealed. The family conflict is frustrating to watch, the racist taunts are horrible to witness, and the fears around love and trust are heartbreaking to confront - yet there is humour and joy steeped throughout the book as well making for a well balanced and inspiring read.

I love how there is always a hint of sadness and dysfunction hidden behind the witty conversation between the characters, and vice versa. It is a rather long book but it provides a realistic portrayal of contemporary families.

Safia is bitter about the Dad who suddenly upped and left England for their home country of Somalia, plunging her Mum into depression and them both into poverty. She can’t believe it when her Mum announces that he is returning bringing his new family with him.
Halima in Somalia is grieving her beloved father who has died, exacerbated by her Mum remarrying a man whom Halima knows can never replace her own father. When her parents announce they are moving to Britain her misery is complete. But she has no choice but to go with her Mum, her stepdad and her two younger half brothers.
Both girls are only being told half a story which they slowly piece together when thrown together at school.
Halima’s isolation is raw and Safiya’s no less as her Mother has not been acting as a caring parent for a long time. Safia however is helped by her good friends.
A realistic portrayal of teenage life and blended family dynamics.

Unfortunately, I could not get into this and I did not finish it. The story of who was whose father was confusing and I wasn't sure which country they were all in at the start, and who lived with whom. The mother at times seemed feisty, at others was inert and depressed. The voices of the two girls were indistinguishable. The brothers were an afterthought and barely mentioned. The two fathers were weak characters. The strongest character for me was Yousef. Blended families like this are common in the UK and it is hard to understand the angst it caused amongst these Somalians. I thought the italics were unnecessary. I did understand how difficult it was for these families to adjust to life in a new country and their struggles with racism. However, I think I am just too old for this type of YA fiction, with its strong emphasis on texting and social media!

The lives of two Somali teenagers become intertwined as Halima leaves her beloved Somalia to move to England and Safiya struggles with her severely depressed mother . Their connection at first is unclear but as they are forced together at school they embark on a journey of misunderstandings and loss as they try to make sense of their new world. This is a book which could be difficult to read. It isn't. The tone is pitched well for a YA readership with many relatable moments. These include the ups and downs of friendships and life at home.
However, where this book really sings is the beautiful ,lyrical writing presented in italics as the backstory. I loved these parts. They elevated the whole book to something just a little bit special.

Started reading this in the morning, ended up not being able to put it down and finishing it in a day - it was just stunning.
Safiya's dad up and left her and her mum and moved to Somalia, starting a whole new family - until one day, news comes that he will be moving his family right back to Safiya's town. Halima's family is being uprooted from Somalia to a whole new country, because of her stepdad, and much to her disgust - this is where the two girls stories collide.
It was so interesting to read their two perspectives and see their views on each other, and their step/dad and how be had impacted both their lives. I was particularly interested in Halima and how she dealt with moving to a new country - the culture shock, the language barrier and the prejudice, which was difficult to read.
ISafiya's friend group was brilliant- Muna was a personal highlight, so smart and fiercely loyal.
I loved seeing the two girls' interactions - their instincts were to hate each other, but compassion came more naturally to both of them. Seeing their two stories intertwine was fascinating, as we discovered more about their families individually, their respective relationships with their mothers, and that perhaps not everything was as it seemed at first glance. I loved working out what had happened along with them, although I didn't fully guess the whole story myself until it was spelt out.
A beautiful novel that I have genuinely learnt something from. I have not read Ayaan's debut, but will definitely be prioritising it now!
Perfect for fans of Clap When You Land!