Scan barcode
A review by exercise_read_repeat_ali
Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer
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!