Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Publishing Date: November 1, 2022
Synopsis:
Most Anticipated YA by Buzzfeed
A fresh spin on the cult-classic Election meets Darius the Great Is Not Okay in Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win when an international incident crashes into a high school election, and Jasmine is caught between doing the right thing and chasing her dream.
It’s 1979, and Jasmine Zumideh is ready to get the heck out of her stale, Southern California suburb and into her dream school, NYU, where she’ll major in journalism and cover New York City’s exploding music scene.
There’s just one teeny problem: Due to a deadline snafu, she maaaaaaybe said she was Senior Class President-Elect on her application—before the election takes place. But honestly, she’s running against Gerald Thomas, a rigid rule-follower whose platform includes reinstating a dress code—there’s no way she can lose. And she better not, or she’ll never get into NYU.
But then, a real-life international incident turns the election upside down. Iran suddenly dominates the nightly news, and her opponent seizes the opportunity to stir up anti-Iranian hysteria at school and turn the electorate against her. Her brother, Ali, is no help. He’s become an outspoken advocate for Iran just as she’s trying to downplay her heritage.
Now, as the white lie she told snowballs into an avalanche, Jasmine is stuck between claiming her heritage or hiding it, standing by her outspoken brother or turning her back on him, winning the election or abandoning her dreams for good.
Told with biting insight and fierce humor, Susan Azim Boyer’s Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win is a fresh, unforgettable story of one Iranian-American young woman’s experience navigating her identity, friendship, family, her future, and a budding romance, all set against life-changing historical events with present-day relevance.
Content Warning: Racial microaggressions
Book Links:
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MY REVIEW
Firstly, I absolutely loved this book and I could not put it down! Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres, but this was unlike any I have ever encountered. Jasmine Zumideh takes place at the middle point of two decades, immersing the reader in a 1979, Southern California dream, full of glam music and feathered hair. In an act of desperation to be admitted to her dream school-- NYU-- she projects herself as Senior Class President Elect, even though the election hasn't taken place. But how could she lose against Gerald, who want a dress code and order? The win would be east, that is until Iranian students take American hostages in a protest causing a wave of xenophobic misunderstandings and a class election that turns into political destruction.
I learned a lot from this book and I can't think of a better time for it considering the current events in Iran and the media portrayal of the protestors there. My favorite thing about the story was how messy every single character was. They all had very realistic actions for teenagers trying to navigate the world, especially when your home starts attacking your identity when you are still trying to discover yourself. Jasmine definitely made some frustrating decisions but being able to see her inner turmoil and justification was great. While the reader may not agree with her choices you can understand how her circumstances made them. I am still mystified by the authors ability to pack so much into the just-over-300-pages given. The combination of being Iranian-American at that time, dealing with senior year responsibilities, coping with her parents separation, best friend drama, first-love, and so much more are discussed in this novel. A lot of moral implications are argued: what is right? do you choose what is right when it is harder than doing what is best for you?
While romance was definitely not at the forefront of this story, I adored Mike and his role in the story. He was almost too perfect haha! It was interesting toes the different aspects of young relationships explored, from heartbreak and betrayal, to innocence and first kisses. Let me not forget to mention the best character: AUNTIE MINAH! She is the best I want to hug her. I also have to give some love to Jasmine's brother, Ali, for being the classic annoying little brother, but still being such an amazing character with stubborn passion and pride in his identity.
I loved learning so much about Persian culture, from traditions, amazing food, and most importantly, the history of Iranian people. As this is young adult, it made the education extremely digestible to an admittedly uneducated person (me). I highly recommend everyone to read this and I am so happy that people will be able to find representation here that is often not present in young adult literature.
PLAYLIST
About the Author:
Author Links:
Website: https://susanjenna.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanjenna
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanazimboyer/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21493475.Susan_Azim_Boyer
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