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theamyleblanc's review
4.0
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderful YA book! The subject matter is unfortunately very topical - despite almost 50 years between then and now. The characters are distinct and messy and real. The tone is perfect for that elusive YA that appeals to readers of all ages.
We need more books like this and more characters like Jasmine Zumideh. She's ambitious and driven, while also being selfish, thoughtless and cowardly. She has flaws and those flaws really mess things up for her. It's amazing to see how she comes back to herself and the truth of who she is.
Jasmine's tone of voice was everything I wanted. It's clearly very grounded in her young age but every now and then, it hints at a weariness that comes from constantly defending her heritage. She wasn't overly whiny like some YA characters end up being but neither did she sound too old.
I think everyone should read this book and I'll be recommending it to all my friends!
This is a wonderful YA book! The subject matter is unfortunately very topical - despite almost 50 years between then and now. The characters are distinct and messy and real. The tone is perfect for that elusive YA that appeals to readers of all ages.
We need more books like this and more characters like Jasmine Zumideh. She's ambitious and driven, while also being selfish, thoughtless and cowardly. She has flaws and those flaws really mess things up for her. It's amazing to see how she comes back to herself and the truth of who she is.
Jasmine's tone of voice was everything I wanted. It's clearly very grounded in her young age but every now and then, it hints at a weariness that comes from constantly defending her heritage. She wasn't overly whiny like some YA characters end up being but neither did she sound too old.
I think everyone should read this book and I'll be recommending it to all my friends!
meghan_readsbooks's review
5.0
This book is a win, Jasmine is a wonderfully strong female character and I loved the chance to better understand how it would have felt in 1979, and would still feel today, to be Iranian American. I loved that this book showcased her typical adolescent identity and senior year in high school tropes but added in the important layer of ethnicity and culture (and gender!) within the context of the election and political unrest. There is so much value in a young adult book that offers this voice and character.
I loved some of the other themes here, the focus on music, the normalcy of adolescent life but also the intensity of how that time feels, the flaws in Jasmine's behavior (because adolescents are and should be messy!). This is a great book with character growth and empowering themes on integrity and movement into adulthood.
I appreciate the gifted ebook from St Martin's and the chance to celebrate Susan Asim Boyer's writing and her characters.
I loved some of the other themes here, the focus on music, the normalcy of adolescent life but also the intensity of how that time feels, the flaws in Jasmine's behavior (because adolescents are and should be messy!). This is a great book with character growth and empowering themes on integrity and movement into adulthood.
I appreciate the gifted ebook from St Martin's and the chance to celebrate Susan Asim Boyer's writing and her characters.
aconoro's review
4.0
YA story about an Iranian-American HS senior who is convinced winning class president will seal her acceptance to NYU… but at what cost? Her campaign managers had me lol’ing, cute story overall & some important perspectives woven throughout.
verypeculiarpages's review
3.0
2.5 rounded up. Firstly, thank you to Wednesday Books for the finished copy!
I really appreciate the focus of this book on Jasmine, a half-Iranian, half-American high school senior in the late 1970s. This book provided some insight into Iranian culture and history (which I’ll admit is lacking in my reading), so I was interested to read and learn about the Iranian Hostage Crisis. I think Jasmine was a great character to write about this topic through and the school election really helped drive home the narrative.
The author does a great job showing the conflict Jasmine has with reconciling her two heritages, especially when faced with constant belittling and racism from her classmates. And while it’s understandable for Jasmine, a high schooler under immense pressure, to make some questionable choices, I found that I could never fully warm to her. Most of her decisions frustrated me and felt selfish and immature. Her friends and classmates were all fairly unlikable and Jasmine’s relationships with them made me like her less, which impacted my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
It was redeemed a little by the ending. I’m glad that Jasmine came clean and I liked her better by the end. Though I was disappointed with other characters’ endings, most notably Gerald, who after spouting racist remarks throughout his entire campaign, still got elected class president?? Huh? Many of the other characters saw no consequences for their gross remarks, but I guess the author was going for a more realistic approach? There was also little resolution with Jasmine’s family and brother, though I did like how her relationship with her aunt shaped up. Overall, I applaud what this book was trying to do and love the push for more Iranian main characters but I just didn’t love this one.
I really appreciate the focus of this book on Jasmine, a half-Iranian, half-American high school senior in the late 1970s. This book provided some insight into Iranian culture and history (which I’ll admit is lacking in my reading), so I was interested to read and learn about the Iranian Hostage Crisis. I think Jasmine was a great character to write about this topic through and the school election really helped drive home the narrative.
The author does a great job showing the conflict Jasmine has with reconciling her two heritages, especially when faced with constant belittling and racism from her classmates. And while it’s understandable for Jasmine, a high schooler under immense pressure, to make some questionable choices, I found that I could never fully warm to her. Most of her decisions frustrated me and felt selfish and immature. Her friends and classmates were all fairly unlikable and Jasmine’s relationships with them made me like her less, which impacted my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
It was redeemed a little by the ending. I’m glad that Jasmine came clean and I liked her better by the end. Though I was disappointed with other characters’ endings, most notably Gerald, who after spouting racist remarks throughout his entire campaign, still got elected class president?? Huh? Many of the other characters saw no consequences for their gross remarks, but I guess the author was going for a more realistic approach? There was also little resolution with Jasmine’s family and brother, though I did like how her relationship with her aunt shaped up. Overall, I applaud what this book was trying to do and love the push for more Iranian main characters but I just didn’t love this one.
miramira's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.75
This story was hard to like. I liked the historical and cultural references, and some of the characters, but none of the plot. Jasmine makes so many bad choices it’s painful, and while the end makes it a bit better, it’s not at all believable that a girl who’s made that many mistakes can suddenly fix them all and make only good choices for the rest of the book.
shanipatel's review
3.0
cute + Aunty has my heart, but idk about the ya trope where the main character becomes horrible and we’re still meant to like them ~ 6/10
emilyisoverbooked's review
3.0
Thanks Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for the copy of this ALC.
Jasmine Zumideh wants nothing more than to get into NYU for journalism. To give her an extra leg up, she decides to run for Senior Class President. The only problem is the early admission application is due before the election results are in... so it should be fine if she just says she's President on her application, right? Except that the election isn't as breezy as she thought, as the Iran Hostage Crisis begins and her opponent starts saying things like "bomb Iran", while Jasmine, as an Iranian-American, tries to erase her Iranian identity and distance herself from the Crisis. Jasmine's struggle with her identity while her brother is so set in his, and the historical information woven into this 1979 storyline really set this book apart as a YA novel. It's incredibly unique and informative, and is great for readers of all ages. I can see this being a really wonderful pick for a high school English class or book club, because the perspective is great and it would lead to really wonderful discussion. Just note it is definitely YA and all the teenage girl friend drama and dumb decision-making are also included - lol!
Jasmine Zumideh wants nothing more than to get into NYU for journalism. To give her an extra leg up, she decides to run for Senior Class President. The only problem is the early admission application is due before the election results are in... so it should be fine if she just says she's President on her application, right? Except that the election isn't as breezy as she thought, as the Iran Hostage Crisis begins and her opponent starts saying things like "bomb Iran", while Jasmine, as an Iranian-American, tries to erase her Iranian identity and distance herself from the Crisis. Jasmine's struggle with her identity while her brother is so set in his, and the historical information woven into this 1979 storyline really set this book apart as a YA novel. It's incredibly unique and informative, and is great for readers of all ages. I can see this being a really wonderful pick for a high school English class or book club, because the perspective is great and it would lead to really wonderful discussion. Just note it is definitely YA and all the teenage girl friend drama and dumb decision-making are also included - lol!
caylieratzlaff's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.5/5 stars.
I really enjoyed this being placed during the Iranian Revolution and how it demonstrated a LOT of elements of counterculture during ther 70s while still representing the reality of Jasmine being Iranian-American. The plot of school elections and the hostage situation was also well done, but I really just got annoyed with the characters throughout the novel. I know that's partially how Jasmine is written as she makes wrong choice after wrong choice and is self-centered, but I don't think it served the plot that well.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but I did feel like I was reading it to finish it toward the end.
I really enjoyed this being placed during the Iranian Revolution and how it demonstrated a LOT of elements of counterculture during ther 70s while still representing the reality of Jasmine being Iranian-American. The plot of school elections and the hostage situation was also well done, but I really just got annoyed with the characters throughout the novel. I know that's partially how Jasmine is written as she makes wrong choice after wrong choice and is self-centered, but I don't think it served the plot that well.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but I did feel like I was reading it to finish it toward the end.
notinjersey's review
5.0
Jasmine Zumideh will do whatever she can to get into NYU where she wants to major in journalism. To make her application stand out, she writes that she is the senior class president-elect – but the election hasn’t happened yet. So now she has to win. While her opponent is running on a platform of restoring order and bringing back the dress code, Jasmine’s campaign is derailed by the Iran Hostage Crisis – as an Iranian American, she has to decide whether to deny her heritage or display it. Plus she gets caught between her two best friends, she has to deal with her parents’ separation, her brother is expressing pro Iran sentiments, and her visiting aunt wants her to speak Farsi and cook Persian food. While the end of the book felt a little rushed (and refers to Passover as a 7 day holiday when it’s actually 8 days besides in Israel), I loved Jasmine and her journey the whole way through.