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

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

Jasmine Zumideh is determined to escape her California suburb and get into her dream school NYU to jumpstart her career as a music journalist, and she'll do just about anything to get her way. Jasmine needs something extra to push her application to the top of NYU's early admission list, so she decides to run for senior class president. However, with current events putting Iran into the news, Iranian-American Jasmine has to make the decision of standing up against anti-Iranian hysteria being promoted by her opponent or hiding her heritage.

Where this story really thrives is in its side characters, and I found myself especially looking forward to scenes containing Jasmine's younger brother Ali, who is taking a stand against the anti-Iranian sentiments spreading across their school. If you're a reader who loves strong character development, I can't promise that this book is for you

- there definitely is character development, but it is saved until the absolute very end of the story

. That being said, if you've ever struggled with your identity, I would recommend Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win.