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jnesbitt1989's review against another edition
5.0
This book is Daniek Nayeri's true story where he writes as himself as a 12 year old refugee from Iran. He tells stories of when he was in Iran, when he is in Oklahoma, his family's past, and stories from Iran's mythology and weaves it all together beautifully. There are funny parts and heartbreaking parts and everything in between. I think this would be a great book for middle and high schoolers to learn empathy for refugees and people from other countries and cultures.
stbecker's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
hillary_charlotte's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this - a touching, real life story! The author/ narrator tells the story from his perspective as a young adolescent refugee, going back and forth between his life in the US and his young childhood in Iran. He interweaves his story with the Middle Eastern folktale “1001 Nights,”, and I found the actual construction of his own story a fascinating connection to that. I listened to this on audio and I loved hearing the author narrate his own story, but there were also many profound lines I wish I could have lingered on!
deribash's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.0
lisamchuk's review against another edition
5.0
This 12yr old narrator is a masterful storyteller, though his real lived experience as a refugee and immigrant in the US will break your heart. We are not kind to others in our society. Yet, told from the child’s resilient point of view, there is still hope for their future. And the author is proof of that.
mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Racism
Moderate: Murder, War, Body shaming, and Drug use
Minor: Vomit and Infidelity
doodlewrite's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Takes a little bit to get used to the writing style but this is a nicely written story that unwinds slowly and carefully. Really interesting and definitely worth the read
ngallion's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful book that slowly unfolds its stories one layer at a time in a non-linear fashion. Despite that cold, clinical description, the effect that this approach achieves is warm and emotion-filled. I don’t know that I can remember the last book that made me cry, but this story of a boy forced to leave his home brought tears more than once.
There’s a lot that could be said about the content of this book, but I’d suggest going in not knowing much about it. If that’s too frustrating, just know that it’s about family, crossing cultural barriers, refugees, and being thankful. Very much worth your time.
There’s a lot that could be said about the content of this book, but I’d suggest going in not knowing much about it. If that’s too frustrating, just know that it’s about family, crossing cultural barriers, refugees, and being thankful. Very much worth your time.
theglossreview's review against another edition
I wished I had checked the content warnings before. Terrible things are described graphically. Just awful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Murder, Medical content, Gore, Blood, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse