A review by bickie
It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas

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.)