The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue by Zoulfa Katouh

About The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue by Zoulfa Katouh

The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue is a young adult novel by Zoulfa Katouh, the author of As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow. The story follows Jihad Dabbagh, a Syrian American teenager who loses her ability to see colour after the sudden death of her mother. She attends an elite academy where she faces discrimination, and her grief seems to have no way out.

Then she finds a magical sketchbook that lets her channel her grief into art. Her paintings begin to appear as murals across New York City, and she must face the legal consequences. It is a story of healing, family and finding colour again.

What readers will find

• A young Syrian American heroine dealing with grief and belonging
• A story where art becomes a way of healing
• Themes of family, identity and finding your voice
• A new novel from an author known for her emotional storytelling

About the author

Zoulfa Katouh is a Canadian author of Syrian heritage. Her debut novel, As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow, won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Awards. The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue is her new young adult novel.

A note on content

This is a young adult novel that deals with grief and discrimination. Parents may like to read the book first to decide whether it suits a younger teenager.

Who should read this book

The book suits teenagers and adult readers of young adult fiction, fans of Zoulfa Katouh, and readers who enjoy stories about grief, art and identity. It is a thoughtful gift for a young reader who loves to draw or paint.

Why stories of grief help

Stories that treat grief honestly help readers feel less alone. A reader who has lost someone may find comfort in seeing a character carry sorrow and slowly find a way to live with it. Art, writing and prayer are all ways people have found to work through loss, and a novel like this reminds us that healing takes time.

A story about colour, art and belonging

The idea of losing colour after a loss gives the book a gentle, imaginative feeling, and readers who enjoy art will find the sketchbook at the centre of the story easy to love. The heroine’s Syrian American background also gives the story a strong sense of place and family, and it will speak especially to young readers who have grown up between two cultures.

A book to give

A new young adult novel makes a good gift for a teenager who loves reading, drawing or painting. It is also a good choice for a school library or a family bookshelf, and it can be passed from one reader to the next.

Edition details

Title: The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue. Author: Zoulfa Katouh. Language: English. Genre: young adult fiction. Sold by Lafz Bookstore with delivery across India.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a sequel to As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow? No. It is a separate story by the same author.

What is the story about? A Syrian American teenager who loses her sense of colour after her mother’s death, and finds healing through art.

Who is it for? Teenagers and adult readers of young adult fiction.

Does it deal with sad themes? Yes, it deals with grief and discrimination, but it is above all a story of healing, family and creativity, with a hopeful direction.

Looking for more books like this? Browse our English Literature collection or explore all Literature & Fiction. Follow Lafz Bookstore on Instagram for new arrivals and book recommendations.