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A review by abookwanderer
Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer may be about a high school teen campaigning for senior class president in 1979, but I found this witty debut wonderfully relevant and honest. Jasmine caught my attention from the start. Likable and passionate, she’s determined to make her dream of attending NYU and becoming a music journalist a reality. When a little white lie snowballs, she finds herself at the center of a high school and an American controversy. Her desperation to win the election forces her to make some difficult choices, leaving her torn between her Iranian and American identities.
I found Jasmine compelling. She’s portrayed realistically, as a struggling teen, whose world has become hyper-focused. Her parents are a mess, currently separated. Her father is away on business and her mother has retreated to Kansas to be with Jasmine’s grandmother. Jasmine’s Iranian aunt has come to stay with them, intent on keeping their Iranian heritage at the forefront of Jasmine and her brother’s life.
Boyer has created a cast of characters that are captivating, making even the unlikeable characters human. From Jasmine’s best friends, to her close-minded running mate, to her radical brother, I wanted to know more about each one.
And even though watching Jasmine make desperately terrible decisions over and over is hard, there’s humor and joy as she finds the right path.
I was so impressed with the author’s creativity in using a high school election and an international incident to highlight our political climate and illustrate how elections can turn all of us into people we don’t recognize.
And I had so much fun visiting 1979!
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
I found Jasmine compelling. She’s portrayed realistically, as a struggling teen, whose world has become hyper-focused. Her parents are a mess, currently separated. Her father is away on business and her mother has retreated to Kansas to be with Jasmine’s grandmother. Jasmine’s Iranian aunt has come to stay with them, intent on keeping their Iranian heritage at the forefront of Jasmine and her brother’s life.
Boyer has created a cast of characters that are captivating, making even the unlikeable characters human. From Jasmine’s best friends, to her close-minded running mate, to her radical brother, I wanted to know more about each one.
And even though watching Jasmine make desperately terrible decisions over and over is hard, there’s humor and joy as she finds the right path.
I was so impressed with the author’s creativity in using a high school election and an international incident to highlight our political climate and illustrate how elections can turn all of us into people we don’t recognize.
And I had so much fun visiting 1979!
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer