Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
In her book "Breaking the Curve," local high school student Rania Haque looks to reimagine the boundaries between creativity and science. MANALAPAN, NJ — A Manalapan high school student is reimagining the boundaries between creativity and science with her debut novel, “Breaking the Curve.” A student of one of New Jersey’s top magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District, Rania Haque has long been fascinated by the art of storytelling. From writing vivid short stories in elementary school to exploring the patterns and narratives hidden in physics and calculus, Rania believes that every field tells a story — whether through words, equations, or ideas. In her debut novel “Breaking the Curve,” Rania reflects that philosophy, inviting readers to see logic and imagination not as opposites, but as partners in discovery. “For some students, breaking the curve is just ambition,” a description of the novel reads. “For others? It’s survival.” According to a synopsis of the novel, “Breaking the Curve” follows Aaron Okafor (a student destined for valedictorian whose sister mysteriously disappears) and Rina Lin (a transfer student with a mysterious past), who are both selected for an elite academic competition where losing results in total erasure. Bearing the same name as the novel’s title, the "Breaking the Curve" competition spirals Rina and Aaron’s rivalry into something “more dangerous than they ever expected,” with secrets hiding behind the scores, and a system designed to break every competitor hiding behind the competition’s prestige. “I’ve always felt that STEM and storytelling share the same heartbeat — both reveal how the world works,” Rania said. “Writing helps me understand science, and science helps me tell deeper stories.” Beyond her writing, Rania is also a second-degree black belt in karate, a self-taught pianist, and a performer who once earned a standing ovation for her rendition of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.” With her debut novel, Rania said she hopes her work inspires other students to find creativity in unexpected places, and to embrace both sides of the brain — both analytic and artistic. To learn more about Rania’s novel, you can click here.
