"Taja deals with the insecurities that most young people feel regarding identity, love, and fitting in. Stylish prose brings home quiet depths." - Kirkus Reviews "This lush debut novel is written in distinct prose that reads like poetry. Young adults will connect with this protagonist and this dynamic new voice. Fans of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas will especially love this lyrical novel. A great selection in any library collection." - School Library Journal "An excellent portrayal of African American culture, gorgeous lyrical prose, strong characters, and societal critique make Tamani's debut a must-read." - Booklist (starred review) "Tamani's debut novel brims with heart and soul, following its African-American protagonist, Taja Brown, as she searches for spirituality, love, and a sense of self.

Absorbing." - Publishers Weekly "Through stunning prose and a brilliant use of vignette (something I rarely seen in YA, but officially want more of because of this book), Liara Tamani pulls no punches in this coming-of-age exploration of growing beyond parental expectations and learning to experience the world in a way that's personally meaningful. If there's one book I wish I could reach through time and hand to seventeen-year-old me, it's this one. Calling My Name is a treasure." - Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin "If there's one book I wish I could reach through time and hand to seventeen-year-old me, it's this one. Calling My Name is a treasure." - Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin "While not quite stream of consciousness, this novel moves dreamily along wayward paths.Readers willing to be swept along by Tamani's poetic language and imagery will appreciate the journey.

This debut is reminiscent of Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming or Marilyn Hilton's Full Cicada Moon." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) "For Taja, the narrator of Liara Tamani's luminous episodic debut, faith in God is as much a part of her as her long legs and brown skin.a complex portrait of a young woman trying to reconcile what she's been taught, both in church and out in the world, with what she truly believes." - Chicago Tribune "This debut coming-of-age novel showcases the complex relationship between family, spirituality, and self. On her journey to discovering herself, Taja learns the importance of recognizing self-worth and feeling like you truly belong." - Brightly.