So Fun and Sweet!

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katevocke Avatar

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Ahh this is such a sweet book. It's heartfelt, funny, endearing, sad, loving ... all the feels. I loved every minute of his fast-paced story of a boy doing his best in life, trying to fit in, and just feel like he's good enough.

Darius Kellner has some big shoes to fill with his namesake, a king from ancient Persia. But Darius seems to just have trouble finding the right shoes to wear. The right things to say, the right way to look, the right way to not disappoint his dad. He's definitely a target for bullies, being from Iran alone he's taunted at every turn, he doesn't have any friends, and he's being treated for depression. His dad, the "Ubermensch," also clinically depressed, gives him a hard time about his weight and not standing up for himself. He just can't seem to fit in anywhere.

When his mom learns that her father (Darius' Grandfather - he's never met any of his Iranian family other than via Skype) is dying from a brain tumor, they decided to make the trip to say goodbye - and Darius worries about fitting in again, with a whole new family and culture. They trip is eye-opening and just might change his life.

Darius is one of those characters you just want to reach in the book and grab and hug. His parents are frustrating - but what teenager doesn't think that? His little sister is adorable but it saddens Darius how well she fits in and he doesn't. The entire family in Iran is so colorfully wonderful and I gobbled up all the culture and descriptions of the settings, the architecture, the culture - the FOOD! I need to try ALL of these things STAT!

I loved this book. It was a fast paced heartwarming debut. Bravo to Adib Khorram!