It Ain't So Awful, Falafel: 10/18/16

It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas is about an Iranian teenager trying to be as American as possible in a new school, before, during and just after the revolution and hostage crisis. Zomorod Yousefzadeh and her parents have moved to Newport Beach from Compton because her father's gotten a promotion. They're trying to live the American dream but have plans to go home to Iran but that of course changes as the plot unfolds.

Meanwhile, though, Zomorod is making in a new school and has given herself a new name — Cindy after her favorite of the Brady Bunch. Unfortunately for her, one of her neighbors is also Cindy, whom she dubs, "Original Cindy." While that friendship isn't what our Cindy is hoping for, it's a stepping stone for other ones, including a friend who convinces her to join the Girl Scouts.

Cindy's new home is a condominium complex, one that comes with binder full of rules. As we also live in a condominium complex, one where some own (like we do) and some rent (like our neighbors), I found Cindy's asides about the rules on point and hilarious.

The Iranian revolution details will make this book a good choice for inclusion in the classroom. Important historic dates are included in the chapter titles.

Four stars

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