In A Very Large Expanse of Sea, Shirin has built up many walls due to the degrading comments, violence, and prejudice she has encountered as a Muslim woman one year after 9/11. She'd rather stay under the radar than open up or confide in anyone. That is until she meets Ocean James. Tahereh Mafi's perspective as a Muslim female teenager post-9/11 may tell the story of an event that happened almost two decades ago but still holds much relevance today.