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patricktreads's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall, I really enjoyed this read, but it wasn't my favorite book from this publisher nor was it in my tops for political themed books as I read four centered around various types of elections. It was however, a quick and easy title.
I read a lot of Wednesday books, so going into this, I had a bit higher expectations going into it. I don't want to say it was bad, because it wasn't, and it also had some very interesting representations in minority communities, this one dealing with Jasmine's Iranian background and an international incident in Iran that unfortunately causes problems for their high school presidential campaign.
I feel like had I not just read (un)popular Vote I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
I read a lot of Wednesday books, so going into this, I had a bit higher expectations going into it. I don't want to say it was bad, because it wasn't, and it also had some very interesting representations in minority communities, this one dealing with Jasmine's Iranian background and an international incident in Iran that unfortunately causes problems for their high school presidential campaign.
I feel like had I not just read (un)popular Vote I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
raeof_sunshinebooks's review
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Jasmine Zumideh is one of the best YA reads I've read in a long time. Susan Azim Boyer exhibits and incredible ability to balance difficult and emotional topics with lighthearted comedy. Jasmine is stuck in the middle of everything, pulled in a thousand directions, and trying to forge ahead in her life and make her own way. Her parents are getting divorced, her friends can't get along, she desperately wants to go to NYU but has no extra curriculars to get her there. So she lies, putting on her application that she's the class president when in reality, the election hasn't happened yet. As if that's all not enough, all of this takes place as the Iran Hostage Crisis kicks off and suddenly Xenophobia abounds. Now, she's also stuck between winning the election and taking pride in her identity. There's so much to love about Jasmine's journey. She struggles with her identity - even going as far as to claim she's Persian and say "I hope they don't know that Persian and Iranian are the same." And using her middle name, going by Jasmine Katie, to avoid connecting with any Iranian identifiers. She struggles with telling her best friend the truth about her cheating boyfriend. She struggles with selfishness and shame and nerves. And in the end, we get to see her pull through it all. Also, I love that our Iranian MC had a Jewish love interest. It was beautifully written, whip smart and hilarious all the way through.
krunkjess's review
2.0
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: November 1, 2022
Student government elections never bring out the best in people. Iranian-American Jasmine has her eyes set on attending NYU for journalism school so she can write for a music magazine. She stretches the truth on her application setting off a desperate circus of events to ensure she’s elected class president. Set in the late 70’s, real world events (Iranian hostage crisis) weave into this mature YA high school drama.
This was a different type of book but it left me confused at times. Sometimes the characters are mature and discussing real world events, but the other half has this group making questionable decisions that are frustratingly immature. I know this is set in the 70s so it read a bit like a cult classic movie from the 80s and I’m not sure if this will speak to a YA audience today. It reads as if a millennial tried to write about kids these days without being in touch with them—the storyline about her hiding her heritage and the dated clique-naming and stereotyping seems the opposite of what most kids would do these days. I would not recommend this to anyone under the age of 16 because of language and themes throughout.
Jasmine is an unlikeable character, who comes to her senses too late in the book (aside from changing who she is to fit in and having pretentious music opinions, she also gives up on her dreams at the drop of a hat).
Student government elections never bring out the best in people. Iranian-American Jasmine has her eyes set on attending NYU for journalism school so she can write for a music magazine. She stretches the truth on her application setting off a desperate circus of events to ensure she’s elected class president. Set in the late 70’s, real world events (Iranian hostage crisis) weave into this mature YA high school drama.
This was a different type of book but it left me confused at times. Sometimes the characters are mature and discussing real world events, but the other half has this group making questionable decisions that are frustratingly immature. I know this is set in the 70s so it read a bit like a cult classic movie from the 80s and I’m not sure if this will speak to a YA audience today. It reads as if a millennial tried to write about kids these days without being in touch with them—the storyline about her hiding her heritage and the dated clique-naming and stereotyping seems the opposite of what most kids would do these days. I would not recommend this to anyone under the age of 16 because of language and themes throughout.
Jasmine is an unlikeable character, who comes to her senses too late in the book (aside from changing who she is to fit in and having pretentious music opinions, she also gives up on her dreams at the drop of a hat).
sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tellalltales's review
4.0
Jasmine is an Iranian-American, lover of music and journalism, wants to attend NYU more than anything but, finding a way to stand out from other applicants is going to be tricky. Running for class president seems to be her only shot at attending her dream school but, things don't go as she'd hoped. Faced with being stuck between being a good best friend or winning her election, she feels as if all eyes are on her. Especially the new kid Mike, who makes Jasmine blush just by looking her way.
I really enjoyed how fun yet educational this story was. There were multiple topics that were he mentioned that i think set this book apart from other YA novels. The discussion of the relationship between Iran and the US made me as a reader see the impact the situation had on innocent people who did nothing more than exist. There is also the topic of media presenting only one narrative and the views accepting it at the truth. This proves why it is important to stand up for what you believe in and is just, like Jasmine did
Jasmine learns to appreciate her culture and stand up for what's right and not losing her identity in order to fit in. Being proud of who you are and where you come from is gratifying on it's own.
I really enjoyed how fun yet educational this story was. There were multiple topics that were he mentioned that i think set this book apart from other YA novels. The discussion of the relationship between Iran and the US made me as a reader see the impact the situation had on innocent people who did nothing more than exist. There is also the topic of media presenting only one narrative and the views accepting it at the truth. This proves why it is important to stand up for what you believe in and is just, like Jasmine did
Jasmine learns to appreciate her culture and stand up for what's right and not losing her identity in order to fit in. Being proud of who you are and where you come from is gratifying on it's own.
shawnna_reads2's review
informative
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
reading_is_your_destiny's review
4.0
Thank you so much to St, Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the chance to read and review this book prior to release.
This is a Young Adult novel about a high-school senior, Jasmine Zumideh (Zoomy-day) who NEEDS to do whatever it takes to win the election and be class president; her whole college career depends on it.
Jasmine is willing to go to extreme lengths to secure the win, but how far is too far? Lying? Betraying your heritage? You'll have to read it to find out.
Susan Azim Boyer did a wonderful job of handling serious topics while still keeping the story light and heartfelt. I really liked Jasmine despite all her mistakes! I think she was written in such a relatable way, especially for high school girls trying to fit in!
I think this book is a great palette cleanser, not to mention the cover is absolutely adorable!
This book will be available on November 1st!
This is a Young Adult novel about a high-school senior, Jasmine Zumideh (Zoomy-day) who NEEDS to do whatever it takes to win the election and be class president; her whole college career depends on it.
Jasmine is willing to go to extreme lengths to secure the win, but how far is too far? Lying? Betraying your heritage? You'll have to read it to find out.
Susan Azim Boyer did a wonderful job of handling serious topics while still keeping the story light and heartfelt. I really liked Jasmine despite all her mistakes! I think she was written in such a relatable way, especially for high school girls trying to fit in!
I think this book is a great palette cleanser, not to mention the cover is absolutely adorable!
This book will be available on November 1st!
speterson47's review
3.0
Jasmine is in the midst of her senior year while filling out her college application and she needs that something 'extra'. Her options are running out and it seems the only thing left worth putting on her app will be winning a presidential election. Will Jasmine will the election and get into her dream school of NYU to then become a famous music reporter?
On her journey Jasmine must also examine her identity of being an Irish-American-Iranian-Perisan, and how she presents that to her follow seniors. The story is also filled with friendships, crushes, fights between friends and siblings. Along the way Jasmine is also dealing with her parents being separated and maybe getting divorced.
Would recommend to readers that enjoy realistic fiction mixed with a little historical fiction, as this story takes place in the context of the 70s. Lovers of music would also enjoy, lots of musical references.
On her journey Jasmine must also examine her identity of being an Irish-American-Iranian-Perisan, and how she presents that to her follow seniors. The story is also filled with friendships, crushes, fights between friends and siblings. Along the way Jasmine is also dealing with her parents being separated and maybe getting divorced.
Would recommend to readers that enjoy realistic fiction mixed with a little historical fiction, as this story takes place in the context of the 70s. Lovers of music would also enjoy, lots of musical references.
exercise_read_repeat_ali's review
5.0
4.5 stars for Jasmine Zumideh!
Plot: Jasmine Zumideh wants nothing more than to be the first student from her school to be accepted to NYU. However, she realizes that she is short on extracurriculars and decides to run for Senior Class President. After realizing that her odds of acceptance would increase with an early decision application, Jasmine decides to write that she served as Senior Class President on her application, even though she hasn't been elected yet. Jasmine is pretty confident that she'll be elected because she's against Gerald Thomas, the school's ultra-type A candidate who is ready to reinstate a dress code. But, Iran is suddenly dominating the news in response to a real-life international incident, which turns the election upside down. Anti-Iranian hysteria erupts at school, and Jasmine's brother Ali emerges as an outspoken advocate for Iran. With the election at the forefront of her mind, Jasmine decides to downplay her Iranian identity (and association with her brother) out of fear of losing the election. Soon, Jasmine finds herself going to great lengths and compromising her integrity all because of this election--will she be elected? And, if so, at what cost?
Thoughts: This was a refreshing YA read that positively and realistically portrays an Iranian-American female student navigating her identity in the 1970s. Although not set in the present, much of the plot is unfortunately still relevant today, particularly the xenophobia toward Iranians. Jasmine's high school experience is completely realistic, and the author did an excellent job of highlighting the complexities of the high school social scene with the added layer of grappling with one's ethnic identity. There are so many relatable challenges that Jasmine faces, and I think any high school student could find some aspect of her character to connect with. I absolutely plan on recommending this to my high schoolers and think many of them would enjoy.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my ALC!
Plot: Jasmine Zumideh wants nothing more than to be the first student from her school to be accepted to NYU. However, she realizes that she is short on extracurriculars and decides to run for Senior Class President. After realizing that her odds of acceptance would increase with an early decision application, Jasmine decides to write that she served as Senior Class President on her application, even though she hasn't been elected yet. Jasmine is pretty confident that she'll be elected because she's against Gerald Thomas, the school's ultra-type A candidate who is ready to reinstate a dress code. But, Iran is suddenly dominating the news in response to a real-life international incident, which turns the election upside down. Anti-Iranian hysteria erupts at school, and Jasmine's brother Ali emerges as an outspoken advocate for Iran. With the election at the forefront of her mind, Jasmine decides to downplay her Iranian identity (and association with her brother) out of fear of losing the election. Soon, Jasmine finds herself going to great lengths and compromising her integrity all because of this election--will she be elected? And, if so, at what cost?
Thoughts: This was a refreshing YA read that positively and realistically portrays an Iranian-American female student navigating her identity in the 1970s. Although not set in the present, much of the plot is unfortunately still relevant today, particularly the xenophobia toward Iranians. Jasmine's high school experience is completely realistic, and the author did an excellent job of highlighting the complexities of the high school social scene with the added layer of grappling with one's ethnic identity. There are so many relatable challenges that Jasmine faces, and I think any high school student could find some aspect of her character to connect with. I absolutely plan on recommending this to my high schoolers and think many of them would enjoy.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my ALC!
cowmingo's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you so much to TLC Book Tours for an early, gifted copy of Jasmine Zumideh Needs A Win! I was so excited to dive into Jasmine's story. Full of fun music and other pop culture references, I found the story easy to read and relatable. But it also tied into some more serious topics like the Iran Hostage Crisis and racism. I found Jasmine's journey of self discovery to be honest and flawed, just like a teen's story would be. I think that anyone who ever felt like they didn't fit in because of their identity and was embarrassed of their family/culture could absolutely relate to the struggles faced by Jasmine in this book. Could have done without the Rush slander (how dare you!) but I'll allow it this one time. I can't say enough great things about this book and I'm really glad I got to read an early copy. Happy publication day to Jasmine and the author, Susan Azim Boyer.