It starts with a photo. A single, grainy image captured at the wrong moment, uploaded with a malicious caption, and suddenly Bijan Majidi’s life is a total mess. If you haven't picked up the Here to Stay book yet, you might think it’s just another "teenager in trouble" story. It isn't. Sara Farizan has this incredible way of taking a high school basketball setting and turning it into a high-stakes mirror of exactly what is happening in our world today. Honestly, it’s a bit scary how relevant it remains.
Bijan is the guy you want to root for. He’s a benchwarmer who gets his big shot, sinks a winning basket, and briefly becomes the king of the school. Then, some anonymous coward sends out a photoshopped image of him looking like a terrorist.
The shift is instant.
One day you're the hero of the varsity team. The next, people are looking at you with suspicion just because of your heritage. Farizan doesn’t pull punches here. She shows how quickly "friends" can turn or how "support" can feel incredibly shallow when things get real.
The Reality of Islamophobia in High School Hallways
When we talk about the Here to Stay book, we have to talk about the weight of being a "representative." Bijan doesn't want to be a political statement. He just wants to play basketball, hang out with his friends, and maybe get noticed by his crush. But the world won't let him.
The book captures that specific brand of American Islamophobia that isn't always screaming in your face—though there is some of that too—but is often found in the quiet, awkward questions or the sudden distance from teammates.
It’s about the "random" security checks of the soul.
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Farizan, who previously gained massive acclaim for If You Could Be Mine, brings a similar level of emotional depth here. She understands that for a kid like Bijan, the conflict isn't just external. It's internal. He starts wondering if he has to be "perfect" just to be tolerated. It's a heavy burden for a kid who just wants to find a good rhythm on the court.
Why the Basketball Meta-Narrative Works
You might wonder why a book about serious social issues spends so much time on the court. It’s because sports are a meritocracy—or they’re supposed to be.
On the court, the score is the score. You make the shot or you don't. But the Here to Stay book uses the game of basketball to show how easily the "rules" change for people of color. When Bijan is winning, he's a star. When the photo goes viral, his presence on the team becomes a "distraction."
It’s a classic move.
The institution protects itself before it protects the individual. We see this in real-world examples all the time, from professional leagues down to local PTA meetings. The "distraction" narrative is a way to blame the victim for the controversy their existence supposedly causes.
Breaking Down the Supporting Cast
The characters aren't just cardboard cutouts.
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- Sean: He’s the best friend we all wish we had, but even he has to learn how to be a real ally rather than just a bystander.
- Elle: She represents the complicated nature of high school social hierarchies and how standing up for someone can cost you "social capital."
- The Mother: Bijan’s mom is a standout. Her fear is palpable. It’s the fear of every immigrant parent who realizes their child is being targeted for things they cannot change.
Addressing the "Cyberbullying" Label
Often, people categorize this as a "cyberbullying book." That’s a bit of a reduction. While the catalyst is a digital image, the core of the Here to Stay book is about institutional bias.
It’s about how the administration handles the fallout.
If a kid is being harassed, why is the focus on his reaction rather than the harasser’s actions? Farizan highlights the flaws in "zero tolerance" policies and the way schools often try to sweep things under the rug to maintain a peaceful image. It’s messy. It’s frustrating. It feels incredibly real because it happens every single day in districts across the country.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
Without spoiling the specifics, some readers find the resolution of the Here to Stay book to be a bit abrupt. But if you look closer, that’s actually the point.
Life doesn't always give you a cinematic victory where every bigot learns a lesson and everyone holds hands. Sometimes, the "win" is simply the act of staying. Of refusing to be moved.
Bijan’s journey isn't about solving racism in his town. That’s too big for one teenager. It’s about reclaiming his right to be an ordinary kid. He earns the right to be mediocre, to be great, to be flawed—on his own terms, not the terms dictated by a viral meme.
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Actionable Takeaways for Readers and Educators
If you’re reading this for a book club or looking to bring it into a classroom, don’t just focus on the "mean kids." Focus on the systems.
1. Analyze the "Bystander" vs. "Ally" Dynamic
Look at how many people in the book knew the photo was wrong but said nothing. In your own life, notice when "staying out of it" is actually taking a side.
2. Evaluate School Policy
Does your school or workplace have a plan for digital defamation? Most don't. They react instead of preparing. Use Bijan’s story to ask what a supportive response actually looks like. It’s more than just an assembly in the gym.
3. Recognize the "Model Minority" Trap
Notice how Bijan feels he has to be the "good" version of his culture to be accepted. Challenge the idea that someone has to be exceptional to deserve basic respect and safety.
4. Diversify the Feed
The Here to Stay book reminds us that the stories we consume shape how we see the "other." If your bookshelf or your social media feed only reflects one type of experience, you're more likely to fall for the kind of propaganda that targeted Bijan.
The book is a fast read. It’s punchy. It’s funny in places where you don't expect it to be. But it sticks with you. It’s a reminder that while hate might be loud, the simple act of showing up and being yourself is a pretty powerful form of resistance. If you're looking for a story that captures the intersection of digital culture, identity, and the pure adrenaline of a high school locker room, this is it.
Pick it up. Read it. Then pass it to someone who thinks "it’s just a joke" when they see a meme targeting a specific group. They need to see the human on the other side of the screen.
To truly engage with the themes of the book, start by auditing the "anonymous" spaces you inhabit online. If those spaces thrive on tearing people down for their identity, it's time to leave. Support authors like Sara Farizan who are doing the hard work of putting these experiences into words. Most importantly, if you see a "Bijan" in your own life, don't just be a fan when they're winning—be a friend when the world is trying to make them lose.