Author Khadijah VanBrakle is exploring the dynamics of family from a teen’s perspective. I recently spoke with her about her sophomore novel, My Perfect Family.
Tell me about your latest book.
My Perfect Family is a story about Leena, a sixteen-year-old high school sophomore, who’s always dreamed of being part of a big family. From birth, it’s only been her and her mom. Once she discovers she has a Muslim grandfather and great-aunt she never knew existed, Leena learns that sometimes getting what you’ve always wanted threatens what you already have.
Why did you decide to write it?
The inspiration behind my sophomore novel was my love of the fraught mother/daughter relationships in the Gilmore Girls, but within a fractured Black American Muslim family. In addition, I wrote My Perfect Family to reflect the complexities of family dynamics. That’s a universal theme that almost anyone can relate to.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Leena, the protagonist, was my favorite to write. She’s given what she’s always wanted and going along with her as she navigates how forming new familial relationships challenges the ones she already has was an eye-opening experience for me as the author.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
Growing up, reading was super important to me. I spent many, many hours in libraries. Sometimes, when I was in school, it was hard to read books outside of what was required for my classes, but I never stopped devouring fiction that caught my attention. Because of my personal history, as a parent, I passed that love of the written word to my children.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
Considering my undergraduate degree in accounting and my half-finished MBA, I’d probably go back to a field related to my formal education. But now that I’ve caught the writing bug, telling stories would probably always be something I do.
What author would you fangirl over?
Since it would be impossible for me to narrow it to just one, here’s a list in alphabetical order: Tiffany D. Jackson, Jennifer Niven, Jason Reynolds, Erika L. Sanchez, Sabaa Tahir, and Jacqueline Woodson.
What books have you read lately and loved?
Here are a few titles I loved and would highly recommend:
Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin (Adult fiction)
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (YA fiction)
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams (Adult fiction)
What books are you most excited to read next?
I have an extensive TBR collection and am excited to read all of those books but I’ll narrow my answer to four.
Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron (YA fiction)
The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni (YA fiction coming May 2026)
Hearts That Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou (YA fiction)
Shutter by Ramona Emerson (Adult fiction)
What’s next for you?
Without being too specific, in the future I plan to keep writing contemporary, young adult stories but have already begun to venture into other fiction genres.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I hope that my presence in traditional publishing serves as a beacon and encourages other individuals from underrepresented groups to feel brave enough to tell their own stories. Lastly, I’d like to thank Black Fiction Addiction for this opportunity.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of My Perfect Family.
To learn more about author Khadijah VanBrakle, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Website: www.khadijahvanbrakle.com
IG and Threads: @khadijahvanbrakle