One Word, Six Letters

Two teen boys grapple with identity and accountability and set off a ripple effect within their community after a school assembly is disrupted by a shouted slur.

★"[A] searing, deeply felt dual-POV novel," --Publishers Weekly, starred review

Freshmen Dayton and Farshid couldn't be more different--or so it seems.

When Dayton takes a dare and shouts the f-slur at a visiting author during a school event, it sets off a chain reaction that forces both boys to face parts of themselves they'd rather ignore.

Dayton, grappling with the fallout of his actions, faces rejection from his friends, disappointment from his parents, and a growing awareness of the harm he's caused. Meanwhile, Farshid is left to untangle his own feelings--about himself and about the quiet struggle of coming to terms with his queerness in a world steeped in heteronormativity.

As their lives unexpectedly intersect, Dayton and Farshid must reckon with what kind of men they want to become and whether they have the courage to defy toxic masculinity and societal expectations.

Timely, raw, and deeply thought-provoking, this novel is perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Nic Stone.

Author: Adib Khorram
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.66lbs
Size: 8.49h x 5.68w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9781250405555
Audience: Young Adult


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 01/01/2026
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 64
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2026
Publishers Weekly 12/08/2025
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/2026

About the Author
Adib Khorram is a queer Iranian-American author. His critically acclaimed novels include DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY, DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER, KISS & TELL, and THE BREAK UP LISTS. When he's not writing, he enjoys yoga, figure skating, electric guitar, food, wine, tea, board games, and explaining to people why Kansas City has the best barbecue.