Amal Al-Noman

Summaya has always tried to be the perfect daughter, the ideal student, and recently an active member of her new school’s Muslim Student Association. But since moving to Canada, everything feels like it’s slipping out of her control-her identity, her faith, and even her connection with her family. Trapped between everyone’s expectations and the pressures she places on herself, Summaya begins to question who she truly is and whether she can live up to what everyone wants from her.

As she steps into a leadership role, she feels the weight of her heritage pressing against the demands of fitting into a new world. Friendships are shifting, family tensions are rising, and with her grandmother’s well-being depending on her, the stakes have never been higher. Each day, Summaya struggles to manage her responsibilities while grappling with her identity crisis. The deeper her faith grows, the more sacrifices she feels compelled to make, ultimately feeling isolated from the people she loves.

Caught in this whirlwind of change, Summaya is terrified of losing herself. Will Summaya conform to everyone’s expectations, or will she carve out her own path? Can she reclaim her sense of self, or will her identity slip away like sand through her fingers?

Shifting Sands is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about identity, resilience, and the inner strength needed to navigate the challenges of growing up while staying true to your beliefs.