For readers grappling with identity, truth, and belonging, this powerful novel tells the resilient story of a young Iranian refugee's journey to find his voice.
A parent might reach for this book when their thoughtful teen is exploring complex ideas about truth, identity, and what it means to belong. This powerful, autobiographical novel follows Khosrou (Daniel), a young Iranian refugee in Oklahoma, as he tells his skeptical classmates the epic story of his family's escape from persecution. Weaving together memories of fleeing Iran, life in a refugee camp, and ancient Persian myths, Daniel fights to be seen and believed. This Printz-winning book is ideal for mature readers (12+) who can appreciate its unique, non-linear structure. It's a profound choice for opening conversations about immigration, cultural differences, and the courage it takes to own and share one's truth.
The protagonist is bullied and ostracized for being an Iranian refugee.
Mild PerilModerate
The family's escape from Iran involves constant danger and fear of capture.
Sensitive Topics
The book directly addresses religious persecution, the trauma of being a refugee, poverty, bullying, and domestic abuse. The mother's conversion to Christianity is central and is presented as an act of faith and courage, but it results in a death sentence being issued against her. The approach is raw and realistic, filtered through a child's memory. The resolution is hopeful, emphasizing resilience and the power of finding one's voice, but it doesn't shy away from the lingering pain and complexity of the experience.
Ideal Reader
A mature, thoughtful reader aged 13-17 who is interested in global issues, complex narrative structures, and character-driven stories. This is for the teen who has outgrown straightforward plots and is ready for a literary challenge that explores themes of truth, memory, and cultural identity. It is also perfect for a young person who feels like an outsider or that their own story is too strange for others to understand.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the non-linear, Scheherazade-like structure, which can be disorienting at first. They should also preview discussions of violence (the secret police, a beheading in a historical story), physical abuse from a stepfather, and the intense emotional distress of the refugee experience. This book benefits from context and discussion, it is not a casual read. The child comes home from school and says, "No one gets me," or "I feel like a total alien." Or a parent overhears their child being dismissive about immigrants or refugees and wants to provide a powerful, humanizing perspective.
Age Experience
A 12 or 13-year-old might focus more on the concrete story: the bullying Daniel faces, the exciting escape, and the funny anecdotes. An older teen (15-18) will be better equipped to appreciate the sophisticated literary structure, the philosophical questions about truth and memory, and the intricate weaving of myth and personal history. The older reader will grasp the full weight of the political and religious persecution.
What Makes It Special
Its narrative structure is its most unique feature. Unlike linear refugee stories, this book mimics the fragmented, associative nature of memory and oral storytelling. The blending of grand Persian epics with the mundane and often painful details of a middle-schooler's life in Oklahoma creates a literary experience that is wholly original and deeply impactful. It treats its young readers as intellectually and emotionally capable of handling complexity.
Read plot summary
Daniel, an Iranian refugee in middle school in Oklahoma, tries to win over his classmates by telling them stories. These non-linear tales weave together his family's dramatic escape from Iran after his mother's conversion to Christianity, their difficult time in refugee camps in Italy, and their eventual resettlement in the US. He also includes epic Persian myths and folklore, connecting his personal story to a rich cultural history, all in an effort to prove his own worth and the truth of his experiences.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Daniel says, “A patchwork story is the shame of the refugee.” What do you think he means by this? How does he use his "patchwork story" to try and connect with his classmates?
2
Daniel tells his own story alongside ancient Persian tales like those from the Shahnameh. Why do you think he includes these myths? How do they help him explain his own life and family?
3
The book's title is 'Everything Sad Is Untrue'. After reading, what do you think this title means? Do you agree with it?
4
Daniel’s mother is a central figure in his story. Discuss her decision to convert to Christianity and the immense risks she took for her faith. How did her choices shape Daniel's life?
