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mailovesbooksblog's review
3.0
This was a really interesting read!
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
It’s 1979, and Jasmine Zumideh is ready to get the heck out of her stale, Southern California suburb and into her dream school, NYU, where she’ll major in journalism and cover New York City’s exploding music scene.
There’s just one teeny problem: Due to a deadline snafu, she maaaaaaybe said she was Senior Class President-Elect on her application—before the election takes place. But honestly, she’s running against Gerald Thomas, a rigid rule-follower whose platform includes reinstating a dress code—there’s no way she can lose. And she better not, or NYU will rescind her application.
But then, an international incident turns the election upside down: a group of students in Iran, fed up with the U.S.’s interference in Iranian politics, takes the American Embassy in Tehran—and the people within it—hostage. And, as the Iran Hostage Crisis dominates the nightly news, her opponent seizes the opportunity to stir up anti-Iranian sentiment at school and turn the electorate against her—with the help of her outspoken brother, who never stops talking about it.
Now, as the white lie she told snowballs into an avalanche, Jasmine is stuck between claiming her heritage or hiding it, standing by her outspoken brother or turning her back on him, winning the election or abandoning her dreams for good.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eARC!!
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
It’s 1979, and Jasmine Zumideh is ready to get the heck out of her stale, Southern California suburb and into her dream school, NYU, where she’ll major in journalism and cover New York City’s exploding music scene.
There’s just one teeny problem: Due to a deadline snafu, she maaaaaaybe said she was Senior Class President-Elect on her application—before the election takes place. But honestly, she’s running against Gerald Thomas, a rigid rule-follower whose platform includes reinstating a dress code—there’s no way she can lose. And she better not, or NYU will rescind her application.
But then, an international incident turns the election upside down: a group of students in Iran, fed up with the U.S.’s interference in Iranian politics, takes the American Embassy in Tehran—and the people within it—hostage. And, as the Iran Hostage Crisis dominates the nightly news, her opponent seizes the opportunity to stir up anti-Iranian sentiment at school and turn the electorate against her—with the help of her outspoken brother, who never stops talking about it.
Now, as the white lie she told snowballs into an avalanche, Jasmine is stuck between claiming her heritage or hiding it, standing by her outspoken brother or turning her back on him, winning the election or abandoning her dreams for good.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eARC!!
shereadstales's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
librerika's review against another edition
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
itsbibliotherapy's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
3.5
I loved the premise of this young adult coming of age story. The protagonist, an Iranian American, is determined to become senior class president and the first applicant from her high school to ever be accepted to NYU. Things are looking good…and then, right in the middle of her campaign, the Iranian Hostage Crisis hits. You so rarely see such heavy historical events focused on in YA stories, and I thought this author did it very well.
I thought the character development was great, and it really felt like I knew the main character and her family intimately. I was less invested in all of the teen drama storylines — but hey, I get that it’s a young adult story! I ultimately found the protagonist to be pretty unlikeable (or should I say… likeable enough), and this made it hard for me to be in her corner. It wasn’t the ending I was expecting, but I still found it interesting and perhaps the most realistic outcome. All in all, a solid coming of age story with a historical and multicultural twist.
I thought the character development was great, and it really felt like I knew the main character and her family intimately. I was less invested in all of the teen drama storylines — but hey, I get that it’s a young adult story! I ultimately found the protagonist to be pretty unlikeable (or should I say… likeable enough), and this made it hard for me to be in her corner. It wasn’t the ending I was expecting, but I still found it interesting and perhaps the most realistic outcome. All in all, a solid coming of age story with a historical and multicultural twist.
jasminenm's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and MacmillianAudio for the advanced audio of this book.
I really enjoyed this book. Azim Boyer does a wonderful job with historical fiction genre. The Iran hostage crisis isn’t covered well in school, but this book (although its fiction) give a good background. I loved the Iranian culture references made throughout the book.
I also enjoyed the self discovery journey that Jasmine goes through. In the beginning of the book she is your typical selfish teenager, by the end of the book she changes drastically. It was a feel good book that did a good job with outlining teenage woes. I would certainly recommend reading this as a palate cleanser as its a feel good coming of age story.
mindofabookdragon's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Fast-paced and full of classic teen mistakes-Jasmine is a character you root for.
utopiastateofmind's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The main reason I loved Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win is Jasmine. Hands down. She's a main character who I absolutely empathized with throughout the book. As someone who grew up in a very small minority - like a under ten Asian students in my high school - I felt the ways in which she laughs off the jokes, makes herself feel small, all in order to fit in. It gave me serious flashbacks. How you can either speak out about something you don't even know how you feel about yet, or also sit in silence with that feeling in your stomach.
All the ways it's up to each of us to figure out how we toe the line. When we decide it's important to speak out. Even more so, what makes Jasmine even more relatable is the ways her lies, omissions, catch up to her. Because while we're in the moment, we always think we will have time to fix it, that we can avoid that disaster. Throughout Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win, Jasmine has to figure out what her success is worth to her. The foundation of this story is her character development. If she will make her platform about how much she is 'just like them' while forgetting the struggles of her family or even the lack of nuance.
The main reason I loved Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win is Jasmine. Hands down. She's a main character who I absolutely empathized with throughout the book. As someone who grew up in a very small minority - like a under ten Asian students in my high school - I felt the ways in which she laughs off the jokes, makes herself feel small, all in order to fit in. It gave me serious flashbacks. How you can either speak out about something you don't even know how you feel about yet, or also sit in silence with that feeling in your stomach.
All the ways it's up to each of us to figure out how we toe the line. When we decide it's important to speak out. Even more so, what makes Jasmine even more relatable is the ways her lies, omissions, catch up to her. Because while we're in the moment, we always think we will have time to fix it, that we can avoid that disaster. Throughout Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win, Jasmine has to figure out what her success is worth to her. The foundation of this story is her character development. If she will make her platform about how much she is 'just like them' while forgetting the struggles of her family or even the lack of nuance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Islamophobia
bookscoffeephotography's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a really cute book, but I also felt like it just wasn’t for me. YA is hit or miss for me. I felt like this one was too young for me, the main character was very immature, in my opinion. I did really like the premise of the book and I think It was very well written. I think it was an important read and I did like learning more about the Iran Hostage Crisis. I think this was well done in the book and was very realistic. I know so many others loved this book, I recommend checking their reviews out as well!!
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.