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My Name Is Harriet Mansoor, NOT Hairy Man Suit!
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26In this hilarious illustrated middle grade novel, Hangameh “Harriet” Mansoor faces bullies, bad grades, AND puberty. Will she survive the worst month of her eleven-year-old life?
Eleven-year-old Hangameh “Harriet” Mansoor really needs to catch a break. Puberty gifted her a big nose and bushy eyebrows, which make her stick out even more than being the only Iranian girl among all her blonde, blue-eyed classmates. But the sixth-grade camping trip to Camp Cottontail could be the perfect opportunity to turn her middle-school fate around. She’d finally have a little space from her over-protective parents and moody older sister; she’d have some serious fun with her best friend Cathy; and she’d maybe even gather up the courage to talk to her long-time crush, Jeremy.
Unfortunately, a string of terrible luck threatens everything. Her bully, Sarah Gill, starts to date Jeremy and when she catches a glimpse of Harriet’s unshaved legs, she gives Harriet an awful nickname: Hairy Man Suit. But worst of all, her parents announce that money problems might force them to move all the way back to Iran–and soon–sending her far away from her best friend and everything she knows. While Harriet usually tries to blend in as much as possible and keep the peace, she’ll have to speak up and stand up if she wants to solve any of these catastrophes. But can she do it before her family packs up everything to leave the country?
Eleven-year-old Hangameh “Harriet” Mansoor really needs to catch a break. Puberty gifted her a big nose and bushy eyebrows, which make her stick out even more than being the only Iranian girl among all her blonde, blue-eyed classmates. But the sixth-grade camping trip to Camp Cottontail could be the perfect opportunity to turn her middle-school fate around. She’d finally have a little space from her over-protective parents and moody older sister; she’d have some serious fun with her best friend Cathy; and she’d maybe even gather up the courage to talk to her long-time crush, Jeremy.
Unfortunately, a string of terrible luck threatens everything. Her bully, Sarah Gill, starts to date Jeremy and when she catches a glimpse of Harriet’s unshaved legs, she gives Harriet an awful nickname: Hairy Man Suit. But worst of all, her parents announce that money problems might force them to move all the way back to Iran–and soon–sending her far away from her best friend and everything she knows. While Harriet usually tries to blend in as much as possible and keep the peace, she’ll have to speak up and stand up if she wants to solve any of these catastrophes. But can she do it before her family packs up everything to leave the country?
- GenresMiddle Grade
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 26, 2026
About the author
Haleh Massey
2 books20 followersI am a licensed clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist and share a private practice in the suburbs of Los Angeles with my husband/BFF, author Christopher Massey aka William DeNoyer. In an effort to promote myself on social media without having my clients find me, I shadow as Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, LMFT, LMNOP, a dapper school psychologist—and rodent—at Rodentia Elementary School in Rodentia, USA.
In addition to marrying my husband/BFF and having two beautiful children, my lifelong dream has been: 1) to have an unlimited supply of turkey sandwiches and, 2) become a published children’s book author. While I'm still working on the first dream (any/all deli partnership inquiries welcome), my debut middle grade graphic novel, Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! illustrated by Ghazal Qadri (Little Bee Books) recently debuted. My middle grade novel, My Name is Harriet Mansoor (NOT Hairy Man Suit!) (Lee & Low), comes out May 26, 2026, and its sequel, My Name is Hangameh Mansoor (NOT Harriet Mansoor!) (Lee & Low) in Spring '27.
In addition to marrying my husband/BFF and having two beautiful children, my lifelong dream has been: 1) to have an unlimited supply of turkey sandwiches and, 2) become a published children’s book author. While I'm still working on the first dream (any/all deli partnership inquiries welcome), my debut middle grade graphic novel, Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! illustrated by Ghazal Qadri (Little Bee Books) recently debuted. My middle grade novel, My Name is Harriet Mansoor (NOT Hairy Man Suit!) (Lee & Low), comes out May 26, 2026, and its sequel, My Name is Hangameh Mansoor (NOT Harriet Mansoor!) (Lee & Low) in Spring '27.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
MY NAME IS HARRIET MANSOOR, NOT HAIRY MAN SUIT! is for every middle-grader navigating friendship, bullies, and family.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Iranian Fiction, Immigrant Fiction
Audience: Middle-grade (about ages 9-13), Teachers, Families
Representation: Iranians in a predominantly white neighborhood. Religion and other races are not particularly discussed.
I read this book in one sitting, and I am a big fan. The author is masterful at capturing the angst of middle-graders and making problems relatable. This book is perfect for all middle-graders, immigrants, families, homeschoolers, schools, and even adults who want to remember what it's like being 11 years old.
The themes transcend culture and race, and this is so important for society to understand that we're more alike than we are different. This statement does not mean that some people have a harder time than others. Being an immigrant is not my experience, but I relate to everything Harriet is going through, and I believe you will too.
Here are a few themes and circumstances that stuck out to me as being universal:
- Harriet as a an Iranian immigrant, who doesn't feel like she fits in. BUT her white friend with curly hair and freckles feels the same way. At some point, everyone doesn't feel like they belong.
- Who is affected by bullying? Everyone. Some might laugh because they don't want to become the object of derision, others look the other way, and some are the targets. I'm guessing most kids feel bullied sometimes.
- Harriet is navigating cultural differences with her parents' expectations. In every generation, the older one complains about the younger. Coming from another country adds additional layers to expectations, but we can all understand not living up to every ideal given to us.
- Starting puberty is a nightmare! Bodies are changing, there is comparison, feeling weird, and smelly, and hairy, and like nothing is right. AND there is the embarrassment of all the changes. And boys! And girls! And all the emotions surrounding crushes and love. It's so complicated!
- Harriet has her sister as a mentor. Sometimes, this help is given unwillingly. But Harriet has help from others like her best friend and team. Raincloud is another advocate. We all need someone to stand up for us until we can do it for ourselves.
- Do parents listen to kids? Not always. Harriet's feelings are pushed aside in the family dynamic. This happens all the time because everyone is imperfect. But the key is that Harriet's family learns to talk and work together. I can picture a child reading this and deciding they can talk to their parents more.
- Harriet and her family believe that money will solve their problems. But Harriet learns through her best friend that this is false. Money can definitely solve some problems. But working together brings about great results.
I thoroughly loved every moment of this book. There are times I laughed aloud. Poor, poor Harriet has a rough lot in this book, and I cringed for her on every page. But she is loved and wanted, and even listened to (sometimes).
Get this book! If you're not an immigrant, get it because you'll see how similar our experiences are. If you're Brown or an immigrant, get it because you will relate to Harriet living in an unfamiliar culture. If you're young, read it because it will make you laugh. Teacher and families, read it together to open conversations and enjoy time together.
This book is the quintessential middle-grade experience.
Happy reading!
PS: Here's a shout out to the illustrator—these are engaging drawings!
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Iranian Fiction, Immigrant Fiction
Audience: Middle-grade (about ages 9-13), Teachers, Families
Representation: Iranians in a predominantly white neighborhood. Religion and other races are not particularly discussed.
I read this book in one sitting, and I am a big fan. The author is masterful at capturing the angst of middle-graders and making problems relatable. This book is perfect for all middle-graders, immigrants, families, homeschoolers, schools, and even adults who want to remember what it's like being 11 years old.
The themes transcend culture and race, and this is so important for society to understand that we're more alike than we are different. This statement does not mean that some people have a harder time than others. Being an immigrant is not my experience, but I relate to everything Harriet is going through, and I believe you will too.
Here are a few themes and circumstances that stuck out to me as being universal:
- Harriet as a an Iranian immigrant, who doesn't feel like she fits in. BUT her white friend with curly hair and freckles feels the same way. At some point, everyone doesn't feel like they belong.
- Who is affected by bullying? Everyone. Some might laugh because they don't want to become the object of derision, others look the other way, and some are the targets. I'm guessing most kids feel bullied sometimes.
- Harriet is navigating cultural differences with her parents' expectations. In every generation, the older one complains about the younger. Coming from another country adds additional layers to expectations, but we can all understand not living up to every ideal given to us.
- Starting puberty is a nightmare! Bodies are changing, there is comparison, feeling weird, and smelly, and hairy, and like nothing is right. AND there is the embarrassment of all the changes. And boys! And girls! And all the emotions surrounding crushes and love. It's so complicated!
- Harriet has her sister as a mentor. Sometimes, this help is given unwillingly. But Harriet has help from others like her best friend and team. Raincloud is another advocate. We all need someone to stand up for us until we can do it for ourselves.
- Do parents listen to kids? Not always. Harriet's feelings are pushed aside in the family dynamic. This happens all the time because everyone is imperfect. But the key is that Harriet's family learns to talk and work together. I can picture a child reading this and deciding they can talk to their parents more.
- Harriet and her family believe that money will solve their problems. But Harriet learns through her best friend that this is false. Money can definitely solve some problems. But working together brings about great results.
I thoroughly loved every moment of this book. There are times I laughed aloud. Poor, poor Harriet has a rough lot in this book, and I cringed for her on every page. But she is loved and wanted, and even listened to (sometimes).
Get this book! If you're not an immigrant, get it because you'll see how similar our experiences are. If you're Brown or an immigrant, get it because you will relate to Harriet living in an unfamiliar culture. If you're young, read it because it will make you laugh. Teacher and families, read it together to open conversations and enjoy time together.
This book is the quintessential middle-grade experience.
Happy reading!
PS: Here's a shout out to the illustrator—these are engaging drawings!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Full review to come closer to publication date.
Full review to come closer to publication date.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews