Yes No Maybe So
Written by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
Narrated by Tiya Sircar and Michael Crouch
4/5
()
About this audiobook
A book about the power of love and resistance from New York Times bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed.
YES
Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone) Jamie’s a choke artist. There’s no way he’d ever knock on doors to ask people for their votes…until he meets Maya.
NO
Maya Rehman’s having the worst Ramadan ever. Her best friend is too busy to hang out, her summer trip is canceled, and now her parents are separating. Why her mother thinks the solution to her problems is political canvassing—with some awkward dude she hardly knows—is beyond her.
MAYBE SO
Going door to door isn’t exactly glamorous, but maybe it’s not the worst thing in the world. After all, the polls are getting closer—and so are Maya and Jamie. Mastering local activism is one thing. Navigating the cross-cultural crush of the century is another thing entirely.
Becky Albertalli
Becky Albertalli is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of William C. Morris Award winner and National Book Award longlist title Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (now a major motion picture, Love, Simon); The Upside of Unrequited; Leah on the Offbeat; the Simonverse novella Love, Creekwood; What If It’s Us and Here's to Us (cowritten with Adam Silvera); Yes No Maybe So (cowritten with Aisha Saeed); Kate in Waiting; and Imogen, Obviously, a Stonewall Honor Book. Becky lives with her family near Atlanta. You can visit her online at beckyalbertalli.com.
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Reviews for Yes No Maybe So
275 ratings17 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a mix of opinions. Some reviewers criticize the book for its political bias and lack of imagination. However, others appreciate the well-developed characters, lovely setting, and important message. The book is seen as an easy read with a light but strong plot, although some found the start to be slow. Many reviewers also praise the representation of a young Muslim woman and the way the book tackles serious political and religious topics. Overall, the book is considered adorable and a great way to showcase important issues.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Muslim girl and a Jewish boy find themselves reunited for the first time since they were kids when they are paired to knock on doors and campaign for their local state senate. The two teens fight for a voice in an election that they are not old enough to vote in but has the power to change their community and their lives. Throw in a budding romance, religious differences, and side of racism delivered by a dog named Fifi, and we have a fun but powerful read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The audio version of 'Yes No Maybe' is a standout experience. The narration enhances the already engaging love story between Jamie and Maya, while seamlessly weaving in important themes of social responsibility. It's a must-listen for fans of YA fiction, offering both entertainment and thought-provoking content.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love this! Nice developed characters, lovely setting and truthful and important message. The voice actors were great too.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Easy read, light but strong plot however very slow start
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very cute story combining two teenagers who are community minded but are shy about romantic relationships. It’s pretty wholesome but had a few nuggets about the politics
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Adorable and a great way to showcase serious political topics.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Love the voice of Michael Couch which is why I got this BUT this story is awful! If you want to hear some hatred of half the country by all means this is for you. Reminder to all writers… it’s not left vs right… we all love here together. It was blatantly obvious this author has had no interaction with the other side. I try to have a circle of all people and I’ve yet to meet the type this writer describes. Must have gotten talking points from CNN. Not imaginative at all.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I thought it was cute, I loved seeing a young Muslim woman in a book that was definitely different. So many romance novels are white washed it was nice seeing someone like myself. I did feel the ending was a little rushed given the length of the book, but also secretly hoping for a part 2. Great way to showcase important political and religious topics.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I really liked this book. I was already familiar with Becky Albertalli's cute books but not at all with Aisha Saeed. Needless to say, they made a perfect duo for this book. It is also an important book. It is very political and has many good lessons for young adults as they start to reach the voting age.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My husband and I applied, and were accepted, to be delegates for Kamala Harris in our congressional district last fall. Our state requires a certain number of signatures just to make it onto the primary ballot, so we knocked on friendly doors on so many weekends. I went on weekdays off and talked to many stay-at-home mom's and retirees. It was exhausting but also strangely exhilarating, to be stumping for a candidate I truly believed in. In early December, Senator Harris ended her campaign, and my heart was crushed into powder.
This darling book captures the joy and heartbreak of civic engagement in our current political climate. It is unashamedly liberal, written in the wake of the 2016 election. Reading about teens who learn to care about the issues and speak up against bigotry warmed my bones to the very core. There is also a lovely slow burn of a romance, but the politics is the wonderful surprise here. I needed very badly to read this book in an election year. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Awkward Jewish teen, Jamie, canvasses with Muslim teen, Maya during the summer in Georgia before a pivotal local election. They have a past history, sort of, and each is working through issues, both separately and together. Interesting political activism, representation of a Bat Mitzvah, Ramadan, LGBTQ characters, Target and adorable grandmas. This one is cute, political and romantic, all rolled up in one.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maya and Jamie meet as teenagers. They played together as young kids but haven't seen each other since. At an Iftar celebration that a local candidate for the Georgia state Congress, the teen's paths cross again and their mom's arrange for them to canvas together for the special election. This involvement in politics brings the teens into some awkward encounters. As they develop deep feelings for each other (that they constantly question), they also tackle issues of racism, learn about each other's religion, and become viral internet sensations. The book has a strong liberal perspective. The romance is earnest. The cast of characters strong and support of each other.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I approached this novel with some trepidation thinking it might become bogged down in US politics but, thankfully, it turned out to be a delightful read. I loved both Maya and Jamie, especially Jamie who was painfully awkward and totally endearing. He was a wonderful friend to Maya and their relationship developed gradually making it feel authentic. There were some very cute, clumsy moments between the two of them which had me giggling. The fact that Jamie was Jewish and Maya Muslim made the story more interesting. I also adored the relationship Jamie had with his younger sister, Sophie. His grandmother was also a high-energy, engaging character as well.
Not only was "Yes No Maybe So" a cute, contemporary read, it also dealt with some weighty issues including racism, politics, family dynamics, religious freedom and finding your voice. Overall, this was a funny, moving and entertaining story. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5You know how some books just make you happy? Once you start reading you get a grin that lasts way after you reach the end and close the pages. This is such a book. It’s a love story between Jewish Jamie, and Mulim Maya, but it’s also a story of a beautiful and heartwarming friendship.
This story centers around an election that can bring bad things to minority members of our society like Jamie and Maya. But they are going to try their hardest to not let that happen. It will take hours of canvassing, and lots of time in Target, but these two are bound and determined to see that Rossom is the winner in the special election.
This book is very relevant for our times. Any reader will see what is taking place in this book and correlate it to what is happening on the news and in our society today. Jamie reminds this reader of David Hogg from Parkland who became an activist after the tragedy at his school. Jamie finds his nerve, he finds his voice, and he finds his passion. Maya is the girl next door who hides in the corner with her introverted tendencies, but finds something to push her out of her shell. She makes new friends, deals with life's obstacles, and learns to confront her fears. These are characters for a reader to fall in love with.
This is also a quick read and easily accessible for any YA reader, both younger and older. And while it is YA, it could be placed in MG libraries, or suggested for MG readers. It glances on many topics and has a widely diverse cast of characters. Personally, everyone will fall in love with InstaGramm, Jamie’s social media loving grandmother, and recognize Sophie as a member of their own family.
Some may worry that the political topics may be too hard for a younger audience to understand, but the authors’ way funneling down Trumpian ideas to Mario, Bowser and Koopa Troopas, works so perfectly, that it could become common slang if enough people read this book, or Netflix adapts it.
If you like this book, or want to know if you might like this book consider these read-alikes. Anything by Albertalli (Upside of Unrequited, Simon and the Homosapien Agenda, etc.)
or Saeend (Amal Unbound). But also look at titles like To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, and Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn.
#BBRC
#Booked2021 - Jewish Author or ABC author
#Music - Feel Good Inc
#Popsugar - Muslim American Author. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What happens when two YA powerhouse authors team up? Good things when it’s Becky Albertalli (Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda) and Aisha Saeed (Amal Unbound) and the outcome is Yes, No, Maybe So. No groundbreaking characters here--awkward but cute and Jewish, Jamie re-meets smart and funny childhood friend Maya who happens to be Muslim. Also include the typical YA cast of gay friends, recently separated parents and precocious younger sister. What makes Yes, No, Maybe So unique is the political bend the story takes as Jamie and Maya canvas door to door and campaign for a local Democratic candidate trying to defeat a Republican with known racist and anti-Muslim views. I enjoyed the story of politically active teens trying to make a difference, and Albertalli and Saeed don’t disappoint with their usual humor and sharp writing. An easy sell to these authors’ readers and any teen looking for a fun and sweet high school romance with a smart political view.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jamie needs something to do over the summer so his mother volunteers him to go canvassing for the Democrat in Georgia's special election. Maya needs something to do so her mother volunteers her for the same thing. Jamie and Maya knew each other in nursery school. Of course, they end up canvassing together. And of course, they get close and fall in love. This isn't spoiling anything. But, can a nice Jewish boy and a nice Muslim girl really fall in love and have their parents approve?
On the surface, this is a love story. But the real story as noted by authors Becky Albertalli (Jewish) and Aisha Saeed (Muslim) in their Authors' Note, is that their is an upsurge of hatred in the United States since the 2016 Presidential election. And more legislators are proposing laws that limit our freedoms and these laws are passing local and state legislatures.
Yes No Maybe So is a fictionalized version of a special election for a House of Representatives seat that took place in Georgia, the setting of the book. It is a call to action that I hope teens and adults alike hear and act on.
In these days of apathy, Yes No Maybe So is well worth the read. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Two teenagers, one Jewish and one Muslim, end up going door-to-door together, campaigning for a state senate candidate. This has less about the actual experience of canvassing than I was expecting but it is nevertheless an interesting look at being seventeen and politically aware during an election -- moreover, aware of policies designed to discriminate against people like you.
The dual POV brings breadth to this story and puts Jamie and Maya’s (cute) relationship front and centre, but means there’s perhaps less development in their respective relationships with friends and family than if the story just focused on one of them; there’s potential for some of those relationships to pack more of an emotional punch. But that’s what I want, not what this story is intending to do.