It ain't so awful--it's pretty darned good!

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel

By Firoozeh Dumas

Age Range: 10 - 12 years

Grade Level: 5 - 7

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Clarion Books (May 3, 2016)

ISBN-10: 0544612310

ISBN-13: 978-0544612310

Lexile Measure: 730

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh is the new kid on the block . . . for the fourth time. California’s Newport Beach is her family’s latest perch, and she’s determined to shuck her brainy loner persona and start afresh with a new Brady Bunch name—Cindy. It’s the late 1970s, and fitting in becomes more difficult as Iran makes U.S. headlines with protests, revolution, and finally the taking of American hostages. Even mood rings and puka shell necklaces can't distract Cindy from the anti-Iran sentiments that creep way too close to home. A poignant yet lighthearted middle grade debut from the author of the best-selling Funny in Farsi.

 My Thoughts:

This book was so much fun! First of all, I’m only three years older than “Cindy,” so the historical setting was very clear to me, from gauchos to Captain & Tenille to puka shell necklaces. (Just gonna plead the 5^th on which of those I was a fan of.)

Historical context aside, I was also a bookish, nerdy girl with a parent who wasn’t “from America”, just looking for a place to fit in. I identified with Cindy’s journey as she found a core group of friends who appreciated her for who she was. Their honest curiosity about her heritage and their desire to understand the turbulent events in Iran are heartwarming.

Not all of the adults in the story are so sympathetic—and it wouldn’t be a good story if they were.

Cindy’s despair as events go from bad to worse rings true, including her self-isolation from her friends. The conclusion, however, is a good one. Some might find it to be too good to be true, but I believe in the goodness in people. Besides, the book leans strongly on the author’s own life.

This is a great entry into bringing other cultures and ideas into a predominantly white middle-grades market. It has “award-winner” written all over it.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

There’s no cursing, and only the mildest of crushes. Some racism and sexism exist. The world events of the time could be troubling to the highly sensitive. Discussion of religion—including that Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worship the same God. Cindy doesn’t tell her parents the entire truth sometimes.

Who Would Like This Book:

Those who enjoy learning about other cultures and not-too-distant history. While most of the characters are female, it doesn’t read as “girly”. Short chapters (kind of reminds me of The House on Mango Street in this way) make it a quick read, not too overwhelming for reluctant readers.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a great read!