It Ain't So Awful, Falafel

3.5 - 4 ⭐️ I'm changing my rating to 4 because I did enjoy the book and my kid gave it a 5, but it felt like it was longer than it needed to be.

An #ownvoices middle-grade read about growing up Iranian in California in the years overlapping the Iran Hostage Crisis. I seem to be reading about that fairly often these days, but this was a new perspective, that of a middle school girl who prefers to be called Cindy, whose family moved from Iran for her dad's job, and how being Iranian affected her experiences in America.

Cindy is a great heroine, a typical pre-teen girl; she starts at a new school in sixth grade and learns to make friends and be herself in her new neighborhood, including leaving a friendship that doesn't work; she loves to read and doesn't like the dumb boy that laughs at her in her class (or does she?) and is embarrassed that her Maman is always trying to feed people. Her parents struggle with the language, with sadness over being so far from their extended family; and then as the Iranian Revolution hits and Cindy's father loses his job, she struggles with both her family and her own identity as seemingly everyone around her suddenly seems to hate Iranians.

I liked spending time with Cindy and her friends a lot. The author's note at the end indicates that some of the elements of the story, including the friendships, are true, and I love that.

CW: acts of racism/microaggressions, depression

???Not everyone hates Iranians,??? she assures me, putting down the paper. ???People who hate just happen to be the loudest.???

I loved, loved, loved this book, and this author. Highly recommend this laugh-out-funny and moving story of Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh, a girl from Iran who has spent several years, here and there, in America due to her father's engineering job.

The time period is the late 70s, when a lot of people in America were hearing about Iran for the first time due to political strife and the taking of American hostages. I was exactly the same age as Zomorod during the period of time the story takes place. In Catholic School, we would turn toward the window, say the Pledge of Allegiance, and then take turns on who would lead the prayer for the hostages.

Zomorod, like any kid, seeks to fit in, and is embarrassed by her parents. She has the added pressure of good English, but not knowing all the idioms, as well as parents who are different culturally from the other adults.

I found myself chuckling at several opportunities at Zomorod's observations and wit, and at her mix of love and embarrassment in regard to her parents.

Americans are written as essentially good people, albeit a bit ignorant on world events. The most villainous character is still seen with some sympathy. Because the story takes place over a couple years, the younger characters get an opportunity to mature.

In fact, one of the details that impressed me most is how the Zomorod at the beginning of the story and at the end are clearly the same girl, but each version think and behave appropriate to her age. She has gained wisdom and confidence and lasting friendship. (I adored her circle of friends.)

If there is one flaw, it's that the author imparts a lot of info on the Iran, which is both interesting and vital to the story, but the information is often imparted in a less-than-natural fashion. The best method is Zomorod's best friend asking questions out of interests, concern, and her plan to become a journalist. But then there is the neighbor who stops periodically to ask to have events explained to him.

I hope that there will be more books in these series, because I would love to stay in touch.