How to Find What You're Not Looking For

By: Veera Hiranandani

Narrated by: Priya Ayyar

New historical fiction from a Newbery Honor–winning author about how middle schooler Ariel Goldberg's life changes when her big sister elopes following the 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision, and she's forced to grapple with both her family's prejudice and the antisemitism she experiences, as she defines her own beliefs.

Twelve-year-old Ariel Goldberg's life feels like the moment after the final guest leaves the party. Her family's Jewish bakery runs into financial trouble, and her older sister has eloped with a young man from India following the Supreme Court decision that strikes down laws banning interracial marriage. As change becomes Ariel's only constant, she's left to hone something that will be with her always--her own voice.

Critic reviews

A Sydney Taylor Award Winner
A Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winner
A Judy Lopez Memorial Award Winner
A NAIBA Carla Cohen Free Speech Award Winner
A National Jewish Book Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2022 ALSC Notable Children’s Book
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2021
A New-York Historical Society's Children’s History Book Prize Winner
An Amazon Best Children’s Book of 2021
A Bank Street College The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022
2025-2026 California Young Reader Medal Nominee (California)


PRAISE FOR HOW TO FIND WHAT YOU'RE NOT LOOKING FOR
by Veera Hiranandani

*"A splendid historical fiction tale of bravery and determination." —School Library Journal, starred review.

*"A powerful blend of important themes and everyday triumphs and sorrows." —Kirkus, starred review.

*"Conveyed with deftness and insight ...explores the benefits and costs of assimilation and the complexity of being both white and a religious minority in America then—and now." —Publisher's Weekly, starred review.

"In this moving novel about a turbulent time, Ari and her family discover that what is most important is not what you think you want." —Booklist

"What’s most striking about the book is how kind it is. People learn, forgive, try to do better. In a knee-jerk time (ours), it’s powerful to witness Ari’s realization that people can grow and change." —New York Times Book Review by Marjorie Ingall

“Gorgeously written and deeply moving, with a main character you can’t help but love, How to Find What You’re Not Looking For deals with the hardest act in one’s fight for justice—confronting the prejudice of those who are closest to us. Hiranandani is a master.” —Adam Gidwitz, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Inquisitor’s Tale

Chalked full of learning and discussion points

Written in second person, filled with historical facts and realities the story brought me back to 1967 I would have been in eighth grade. I encountered some of the same thoughts and discussions in a community with multiple races and religions. I was 10 when JFK was shot and began to become aware of topics including MLK’s peaceful protesting, interracial marriage, Viet Nam War and protests. I can remember family debates and discussions on some of these very topics. I hope this book can be a jumping off point, not to solve problems but to open discussions Some people have real value systems that may be different from yours; they may have real reasons why they believe what they do. That makes them different not wrong. “Can I love you as a person even though you have a belief that I feel is wrong? Can you love me as a person even though you don’t believe as I ?”

Ingenious Writing

This story puts a face on the real life issues that plague kids who are discrimination targets. Ari, the main character must deal with adult ignorance of her disability, kids bullying her due to her religion, her sister eloping, and many other issues that overwhelm her. The author depicts all of these things with grace and and a deep understanding of how an 11U year-old girl thinks. Writing from a 2nd person POV, the author illustrates how the larger events of the turbulent 1960s influence one girl's life.