“It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel” by Firoozeh Dumas
It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel follows Zomorod (or Cindy, as she chooses to go by at school), an Iranian girl whose family moves to California. Set in the 1970s, it is not very easy for Cindy to fit in with her classmates in middle school. They all make fun of her, and, as Iran becomes the center of negative news stories in America, it becomes even harder for her to fit in. I find this to be a very important story to tell because it does not shy away from the amount of bullying and racism that Cindy and her family experience, whether that be from kids at school or bumper stickers on nearby cars. She wants to embrace her heritage as well as acclimate to being a U.S. citizen, but the hatred towards Iranians makes her struggle to find herself.
I think this is a fantastic read for any year, as millions of people face these problems today- they weren’t just a product of the time. This book would accompany a lesson on stereotypes wonderfully. How can we interact with others with an open mind? How would we want to be treated in a new environment? How can we stand up for what’s right when we see others being treated unjustly? What are some similarities and differences between cultures, and how can these bring everyone closer together?
Author’s Website: Firoozeh Dumas – New York Times Best-selling Author
