Izzy’s Dilemma is the story of a young girl’s courageous search for identity, belonging, and social justice.

On the distant planet of Mirron, life is much like Earth—except for one crucial difference. A person’s social standing is determined entirely by eye color. Topaz are privileged, Emeralds and Sapphires fall in between, and Pearls, like twelve-year-old Izzy Ashford, are at the bottom.

Adopted by a wealthy Topaz couple in an all-Topaz town, Izzy has always felt accepted—until a classmate begins to bully her, forcing her to question what it truly means to belong.

Everything changes during a Fourth of July beach vacation, when a mysterious man named Sam offers Izzy an impossible choice: she can permanently change her eyes to Topaz before school starts. At first, it seems like an easy decision. But as the summer unfolds, Izzy begins to realize that changing who she is may not bring her happiness or purpose—and may cost her more than she ever imagined.

Izzy’s Dilemma will resonate with readers of Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai for its blend of heart and humor, and with A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat for its exploration of justice, identity, and courage.