Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!: A Graphic Novel

Poupeh needs to speak up for her parents at an embassy interview-the problem is that she's been rendered mute! Smile meets New Kid in this funny, heartwarming, poignant graphic novel about the toll immigrating to the United States takes on a kid's mental health.

Poupeh Babaee is an Iranian girl sent to live with her relatives in the United States. Although Poupeh understands and speaks English, the stress of entering a new school in a foreign land renders her mute, and she is diagnosed with selective mutism. Worse yet, a travel ban--which labels Iran a "dangerous country"--has barred her parents from entering the US! Poupeh must now overcome her selective mutism to advocate for her parents during an interview with an embassy consular officer if she ever wants to see them again.

Uplifting and engaging, Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! depicts the healing power of therapy, friendship, and familial bonds. This is a message of hope to all the awkward, overwhelmed immigrant children struggling to find acceptance.

Author: Haleh Massey
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 176
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.30h x 6.30w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781499815276
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 07/01/2025 pg. 73
Booklist 07/01/2025 pg. 59

About the Author
Dr. Haleh Massey has blossomed from an awkward teenager to an awkward mother. She is a clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist with almost two decades of experience working with children and their families. She met the love of her life at a non-profit agency in the big, bad city, then returned to the suburbs where she and her husband run a private practice and are awkwardly raising two amazing children. When she's not working, Dr. Massey enjoys building Lego and eating turkey sandwiches.

Ghazal Qadri is a Kashmiri-born illustrator. Born and raised in a conflict area, Ghazal enjoys working on daily comics about her real-life situations, especially ones that she experienced while living in Kashmir. Changing a mundane moment into a relatable story is the way she makes sense through her art. Ghazal's work focuses on storytelling through comics and Illustrations for books, digital products, and more.