A review by raeof_sunshinebooks
Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer

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.