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larb's review against another edition
Not going to finish. I didn’t realize this was about Christianity… will be returning.
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
Scheherazade doesn’t have anything on Daniel Nayeri. The author channels his 12-year-old self flawlessly in this heavily autobiographical collection of stories about his childhood in Iran and his experiences as a refugee in Oklahoma after his mother converts to Christianity and they are forced to flee. As Khosrou (called Daniel in the States) regales his middle school class with stories of his experiences in a very 1,001 Nights manner, he is met with disbelief and the derision that middle-schoolers are so good at. But he persists, and just like Scheherazade with the king, his stories slowly help his listeners find their humanity again.
He does not shy away from tough truths. The terror of fleeing Iran, the invisibility of refugees, his abusive stepfather in Oklahoma— these things are part of the fabric of his story. But middle-grade and young adult readers will not forget the honest and resilient friend they have made in the pages of this book.
He does not shy away from tough truths. The terror of fleeing Iran, the invisibility of refugees, his abusive stepfather in Oklahoma— these things are part of the fabric of his story. But middle-grade and young adult readers will not forget the honest and resilient friend they have made in the pages of this book.
bethanyhasenberg's review against another edition
There was no clear story, didn’t know what was happening in the book, was confused and wasn’t enthralled enough to want to figure it out
maddiebeckman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
elly29's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
What a masterful weaving-together of memory, storytelling, and experience wrapped in the Persian rug of the Iranian refugee experience. This may be considered middle-grade, but as an adult I found it enjoyable and sophisticated (even if he sometimes repeats the lessons he learns).
Favorite quotes included the statements about the folks who believe in the God who listens, and those who believe in a God who speaks, and how the best God is the one who does both. It’s a story about a mother’s love, and her conviction, and about a larger-than-life father who is generous and also misses and misunderstands so much.
It’s worth a read, I think!
Favorite quotes included the statements about the folks who believe in the God who listens, and those who believe in a God who speaks, and how the best God is the one who does both. It’s a story about a mother’s love, and her conviction, and about a larger-than-life father who is generous and also misses and misunderstands so much.
It’s worth a read, I think!
happy_beaver37's review against another edition
i’ve seen many booktubers who don’t rate memoirs, and i liked that idea, so i didn’t give this book a rating. this is one of the best books i’ve ever read, though! the writing and quotes are absolutely beautiful, and the story is heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. this book really makes the reader feel something.
krugg13's review against another edition
5.0
"What you believe about the future will change how you live in the present."
If I could rate this book 50 stars I would; it was so beautfully written. I both laughed and cried throughout, and I've found a new role model in Sima. Also, its pretty comparable to the scriptures. . . in that it made me want to be a better person.
"I think He's a God who listens as if we are his most important children, and I think He speaks to tell us so."
If I could rate this book 50 stars I would; it was so beautfully written. I both laughed and cried throughout, and I've found a new role model in Sima. Also, its pretty comparable to the scriptures. . . in that it made me want to be a better person.
"I think He's a God who listens as if we are his most important children, and I think He speaks to tell us so."
nsmoak614's review against another edition
5.0
“…if you spend time with each other - if we really listen in the parlors of our mind and look at each other as we were meant to be seen - then we would fall in love. We would marvel at how beautifully we were made. We would never think to be villain kings, and we would never kill each other. Just the opposite. The stories aren’t the thing. The thing is the story of the story. The spending of the time. The falling in love”
I love to read the stories of peoples’ lives and have always found them so much more interesting than any fiction could be. Daniel Nayeri captured this love for stories that are true and fascinating because they are true with his life and memories. That’s why I picked up this book, but I was then encouraged even more so by reading of the faith of Nayeri’s family and how that shaped so many memories.
I love to read the stories of peoples’ lives and have always found them so much more interesting than any fiction could be. Daniel Nayeri captured this love for stories that are true and fascinating because they are true with his life and memories. That’s why I picked up this book, but I was then encouraged even more so by reading of the faith of Nayeri’s family and how that shaped so many memories.
manda_ruthie's review against another edition
5.0
So very very good. Listening to it is so important to hear the writer's voice and feel his emotions. The conversion of his mom is the most beautiful testimony.