The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue is a deeply moving young adult novel by Zoulfa Katouh, the internationally acclaimed author of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow. The story explores loss, identity, grief, resilience, belonging, and the healing power of art through the life of Jihad, a teenager facing an overwhelming period of change.

After the sudden death of her mother, Jihad hopes that transferring to an elite high school will give her the fresh start she desperately needs. Instead, she finds herself isolated and judged as the only Muslim student, with her hijab and even her name making her feel like an outsider.

Surrounded by suspicion and quiet hostility, Jihad struggles to trust those around her. When one classmate reaches out with unexpected kindness, she must decide whether she can believe in his intentions. As grief becomes increasingly difficult to carry, Jihad turns to art as a place of comfort and self-expression.