Reviews

It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas

cjf88's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

gracepizza40's review against another edition

5.0

4.8

marieintheraw's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoy middle grade historical fiction and this one is no exception. it takes in the more recent past of during the iran crisis which could have been handled badly. i was really pleased with this

bickie's review against another edition

4.0

Set in late 1970s Southern California when the Khomieni ousts the Shah as leader of Iran. Follows Zomorod and her parents who have lived in California a couple of times on business assignment for her father, an engineer with a petroleum company. When the political situation in Iran changes, they are horrified and scared. Zomorod (who goes by "Cindy" as in the Brady Bunch at school and with her friends) experiences many challenges to living in the US and, as a typical middle schooler, really wants to fit in. She makes some great friends who all read as white. She is a non-observant Muslim, friend Howie is Christian, friend Rachel is Jewish (and discusses how Iran has a large Jewish population).

Follows Zomorod from the beginning of 6th grade at a new school in a new community (Newport Beach; used to live in Compton when not in Iran) through near the end of 8th grade.

CW: mother appears to have depression, the family experiences harassment both personal

Spoiler

dead hamster with note saying they should go back to Iran on doorstep, overflowing trashcans filled by others, tomatoes thrown by a classmate at Zomorod in the lunch room

and general (bumper stickers saying "Iranians go home" and people wearing T-shirts saying "Iranians wanted for target practice," etc.)

aurelyarose's review against another edition

Haven't been able to think of much to say about this one. I mean I really enjoyed it. It's right there in the description "poignant yet lighthearted" MG novel.

Though, having read Persepolis made this a richer read for me. It was interesting hearing about how the Iranian Revolution affected people in America after reading (lol years ago) how it affected people in Iran. It really brought it home for me that this had been a part of the lives of some people I went to school with. Their parents and grandparents had fled from Iran during that time...

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

I really enjoyed this funny, and educational, middle reader. Eleven year old Zomorod Yousefzadeh has moved between Iran and the United States several times in her short life. As the family lands in a condo in Newport Beach, CA, Zomorod is determined to fit in to her new life. Even though she is still a loving and dutiful daughter (and translator) for her parents, she changes her name to Cindy and embraces new experiences and ideas. But the year is 1979 and as Khomeini comes to power and US hostages are taken, Zomorod and her family become the target of racism. A dead hamster is left on their doorstep, their garbage is vandalized etc. Fortunately, 'Cindy' has made some good friends and the community rises to the occasion. I read the ARC for this book to be published in May.

alittleoverdue's review against another edition

5.0

After her family makes their latest move to Newport Beach, eleven year-old, Zomorod grapples with growing up as the new Iranian family in town in the 1970s. Awarded the California Library Association’s John and Patricia Beatty Award in 2017, this semi-autobiographical novel provides a funny, yet touching portrayal of an Iranian girl facing cultural misunderstandings, financial worries, and rising fear and racism as the Iranian Revolution escalates.

Dumas is the author of bestselling adult memoir, Funny in Farsi (2004), and her first foray into middle grade fiction is an insightful and poignant story touching on themes of family, friendship, and finding one’s place in the world. An important read and valuable addition to a middle grade library collection.

madcat29's review against another edition

informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

knbee's review against another edition

4.0

This is a charming and funny coming-of-age story, one that I found very relevant to where we find ourselves now despite it taking place in the late 1970's. Zomorod is from Iran and is living with her family in Southern California during the Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis. So, as a preteen, she’s dealing with the usual- friendships and school and boys- while also dealing with the unusual- a severely depressed mom and worries about her homeland and unkind neighbors. But there is a lot of hope here despite some hateful characters. Many open their arms to the family, welcoming them to a new place while also showing genuine interest in their home. Imagine the world if we all did that.

meghan_aine's review against another edition

5.0

I had an instant love affair with this book. Funny, with a protagonist whose enthusiasm for life is infectious as she navigates serious conflicts and middle school life in the shadow of the Iran hostage crisis. My students loved Nightbird, which has similar themes of displacement and migration, and I think they will eat this up.