Daniel Nayeri

At the front of a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls "Daniel") stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But no one believes a word he says. To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much.But Khaosrou's stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful, and terrifying, from the moment his family...

In this palindrome picture book, a young boy grieving the loss of his mother embarks on a fantastical adventure that illuminates what remains when our loved ones are gone. A young boy who's lost all hope braves the dark forest to ask, ́Mom, were you glad you were mom?́ Drawn Onward guides readers through the depths of grief and provides comfort and hope to those who seek answers when it feels like all is lost.