I love our hero Darius. He's a really great guy, and even though he thinks he's some kind of geek or nerd, I suspect he's just a normal teen, even if he has depression issues.
I like the taste of Persian culture here. As an American, that's largely a mystery to me, but the book has made me think I should try cardamom in tea. I guess I would just put in cardamom pods in the tea for flavor. (I already have a taste for cardamom from Hindustani desserts I've tried.)
Anyway, Darius is a great guy with a great voice, full of intelligence and humor. Judging by the cover and the excellent writing, I would see this as a "literary book," but I think intelligent middle-school students would eat this up.
I thought at first that the book's humor had a satirical edge to it, and it does, but as I read along I saw it as realistic and a really great portrait of the characters and their family.
I like the taste of Persian culture here. As an American, that's largely a mystery to me, but the book has made me think I should try cardamom in tea. I guess I would just put in cardamom pods in the tea for flavor. (I already have a taste for cardamom from Hindustani desserts I've tried.)
Anyway, Darius is a great guy with a great voice, full of intelligence and humor. Judging by the cover and the excellent writing, I would see this as a "literary book," but I think intelligent middle-school students would eat this up.
I thought at first that the book's humor had a satirical edge to it, and it does, but as I read along I saw it as realistic and a really great portrait of the characters and their family.