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A review by itsbibliotherapy
Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer
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.