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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
Genuinely moving coming-of-age story about a half-Persian gay teen navigating his first visit to family in Iran. It’s a wonderful story about a complex father-son relationship, about living with depression, about making sense of a bicultural, “Fractional” identity and struggling to belong. Also Darius is a huge nerd and the constant TNG and LOTR had me grinning. He has a wonderfully charmingly self-deprecating sense of humor.
The implied crush on his new best friend in Iran is sweet as hell, but I also really appreciated how this book both felt queer but also focused so much more on friendship and family above all else.
And it's a quick read, too. Definitely worth it.
The implied crush on his new best friend in Iran is sweet as hell, but I also really appreciated how this book both felt queer but also focused so much more on friendship and family above all else.
And it's a quick read, too. Definitely worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Violence
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
I am so very much not the audience for this book. I do not need to read multiple chapters about a teenage boy’s genitals. We will cut our losses and move along.
Honestly, this is more like 3-1/2 stars. The references to different Persian locations and food are really interesting and specific. I’m also glad to see the open approach to discussing medicated/treated depression, but I just couldn’t get into the story. I think the author could have explored or been more explicit about the LGBTQ aspects because I feel more students might connect or be more communicative. I know it will be a good choice option for discussing identity, but it wasn’t for me.
4.5
I totally loved this book, even tho I didn't get any of the Star Trek and Lord of the Rings references, it was a really good read.
RTC
I totally loved this book, even tho I didn't get any of the Star Trek and Lord of the Rings references, it was a really good read.
RTC
writing style was very simple but effective. only reason i didn't absolutely sob at the end was because i was in school.
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Racial slurs, Terminal illness, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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:
Complicated