"A beautiful read about love, family and worth'
Verse Novels
You’ll find Nadine’s novels in the 9 – 12 children’s section of your local bookshop, though they’re perfect for any reader aged 9 to 900! Published by Hachette Children’s Group, and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat.
The Hidden Story of Estie Noor
‘I know my voice is squirrelled somewhere inside me. Swirled and curled and nesting. Wishing it could come out. I have a story to tell.’
When twelve-year-old Estie is expelled from school, nobody – not even Estie’s mum – wants to hear her side of the story.
Instead, Estie is sent to stay with her aunt in Scotland, where at first she is determined to keep to herself. But this small town hides a big secret, and when Estie finds an intricately folded paper castle with a message written inside, she joins forces with a local boy called Idris to try and discover what it means.
Will uncovering this hidden story help Estie to tell her own?
A page-turning mystery novel in verse about family, friendship and finding the words to speak the truth. Nominated for the Carnegie Medal 2025.
Illustrations by Sandhya Prabhat
'A warm hug of a book. Finding the power of telling your own story is central to this joyful tale of kindness and community.’
- Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths.
‘A gripping verse novel mystery for 9+, rich, evocative and shaped by a passionate sense of justice.’
- Imogen Russell Williams in The Guardian
‘The Hidden Story of Estie Noor has stolen my heart. This is a love letter to stories and homes and the importance of standing up for yourself. It’s a homage to small towns… the importance of empathy, and the courage it takes to see all of myriad versions of you. It’s the very best of middle grade literature: lyrical and heartfelt and magic. Nadine Aisha Jassat is a special storyteller, this is a future classic if I’ve ever read one.’
- Laura Noakes, author of Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star
‘Written in beautiful, first person verse, this book manages to be an accessible read while still exploring some important themes around truth, representation and identity…this is a brilliant book’
- Booktrust
‘Verse novels have this power to hit right to the heart of the story. Characters are fully formed and share their traits while the plot unfolds quickly and with power. Verse novels are an absolute must for my reading diet and I truly hope for more from Nadine. She writes with a truth about heritage, family and having a voice. I love her style, characters and use of language. If you haven’t yet discovered the talents of Nadine, then I urge you to visit your local library or bookstore.’
-Erin Lyn Hamilton, My Shelves Are Full
‘A truly gorgeous verse novel. Warmth and soul beam through Nadine Aisha Jassat's skillful verse, in a way that's impossible not to be taken in by. This is a book that invites readers to place sincerity, compassion and community at the centre of whatever they do. With a diverse cast of rich and compelling characters, a fun mystery to solve, and a heartwarming message at its core, this is an unmissable read.’
-Scottish Book Trust
The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them)
'Find Dad. Help Grandma. Understand who I am.'
Twelve-year-old Nyla's dad died when she was four, or that's what she's been told. So when Grandma Farida insists she saw him in the supermarket, Nyla wonders if she is 'time-travelling' again - the phrase she uses when Grandma forgets. But when Grandma asks Nyla to find her dad and bring him home, Nyla promises that she will.
As Nyla sets out on her journey, she hopes that uncovering the past will help her to understand the mystery at the heart of her family ... and to work out who she is.
Illustrations by Sandhya Prabhat, available in Portuguese with Penguin Random House Portugal.
‘A rich verse novel, with a family mystery to unravel at its core. It tenderly explores grief, community and supporting loved ones with dementia as Nyla tries to piece together clues from her grandma’s fading memory.’ - The Herald
'Warm, funny and moving' - The Irish Independent
'Eloquent [and] affecting' - The Guardian
‘I adored Nadine's The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them). It's compassionate, empathetic and lyrical. The themes of grief, family dynamics and overseas heritage resonated with me.’ - Patrice Lawrence, author of Eight Pieces of Silva
'Captivating, beautiful, heart-stirring, woven with so much love and wisdom. It's one of those books that truly makes the world a better place.' - Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs
'I think this is the children's debut of the year... Fresh, emotional, expertly crafted, and a wonderful reading experience.' - Maisie Chan, Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths
‘An amazing verse novel about the power of memory and a bond between grandmother and granddaughter.’ – The Bookseller
‘A beautiful read about love, family, identity and worth.’ - Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
‘A quiet and tender story about the meaning of life and love and loss.' - Katya Balen, author of October, October
Poetry
Let Me Tell You This
A vital exploration of racism, gender-based violence and the sustaining, restorative bonds between women, told with searing precision and lyricism. Nadine takes you on a journey exploring heritage, connection, and speaking out. These poems demonstrate the power of heart and voice, and will stay with readers long after the last page is turned. Shortlisted for The Edwin Morgan Poetry Award. Published by 404 Ink.
'’A punchy, powerful debut that investigates what it means to be of dual heritage. The poems capture with real panache the secret lives of women, and they’re poignant, too.' - Jackie Kay
'Powerful. Beautifully written, immense and full of passion.' - Nikita Gill
'Incisive, delicate, and precise. Jassat is unflinching as she delivers lyrical gut punches that stay with you for days.' - Nikesh Shukla
'I adore the wise yet searching words of Nadine Aisha Jassat.' - Sabrina Mahfouz
'Nadine is a writer of extraordinary talent whose graceful, honest words somehow hit you with all the force of a sucker punch. I felt read by this collection... If you read one poetry collection this year, let it be this. ' - Sabeena Akhtar
'A tour-de-force confrontation of intersectional prejudice and a vital voice in the Scottish poetry landscape.' - The List
Also published in…
It's Not About the Burqa (Picador)
'Passionate, angry, self-effacing, nuanced and utterly compelling.' - Nikesh Shukla, The Good Immigrant
Nasty Women (404 Ink)
'Essential' - Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale; 'Vital spirit.' - Ali Smith, How to be both
The People's City (Polygon)
'Bringing together some of Edinburgh's best modern writers... this small but important book pulls from the city's rich literary history.' - Waterstones Recommends
