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
5th 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!
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