MMGM: The Story of the Story: A Review of Everything Sad is Untrue

 

Perhaps because I lived in two countries very different from the U.S., I’m always on the lookout for books that give that same immersive experience, but from my cozy reading chair. When a dear friend recommended Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri, I was looking forward to reading a memoir about a topic I've never seen in middle grade: the challenges an Iranian family faces after a mother’s conversion to Christianity.

If you love novels or memoirs where you feel you’ve walked a hundred miles with a character, like Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt, Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang, or The Genuis Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin, you might treasure Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story). And if you loved 1,001 Nights (or its retelling, Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher), you will be enchanted by how Daniel weaves seemingly unrelated threads into a beautiful story.

Synopsis: 

Daniel (whose Persian name is Khosrou) is a twelve-year-old refugee living in Edmond, Oklahoma. Told in a somewhat stream-of-consciousness style, Daniel shares his memories the way people often tell family stories—one memory leading naturally to another. His stories of his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are interwoven with myths and stories of Persia. He also relates his life in Oklahoma and how his memories feel like a patchwork quilt, stitched together from stories, fragments, and things he can only partly remember. By the time I learned about his mother’s conversion and why the family had to flee Iran, I couldn’t put the book down.

Why this story stayed with me:

1.    Although the book was a little hard to follow at first, all the early backstory about his family and their Persian ancestors truly was important for the last half of the book to pack an emotional punch.
 
2.    One aspect that stood out to me was the risks Daniel's family faced after his mother converted to Christianity. When asked why she became a Christian, she says, "Because it's true." But Daniel says:

 “It’s true and it’s more valuable than seven million dollars in gold coins, and thousands of acres of Persian countryside…and even maybe your life…My mom wouldn’t have made the trade otherwise.” 

(p. 196)

3.   I keep thinking about how, despite all the hardships that they encounter (and Daniel/Khosrou and his family endure more than most North Americans can imagine), they still had hope. This shows how there is meaning and purpose in life, even in suffering.

4.  I appreciated that Daniel tells his family's story honestly. The people he loves most are shown as real people, with both strengths and flaws.

5.  Summing up this book in a few bullet points doesn’t do it justice. 

Like Daniel says, “The thing is the story of the story. The spending of time…Look how much you know about me.” (p. 301) 

I felt like when I closed the book, I was saying goodbye to another world and a family I knew well.


Reading Guide: This book would appeal to kids 12 and up. Content note: There are descriptions of bodily functions, blood, and injuries. There is mention of drug smuggling, infidelity, divorce, attempted murder, threatening torture, and extreme bullying.

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴

No dogs! But Daniel tells stories the way I chase squirrels—one adventure leads to another. And I loved reading about Mr. Sheep Sheep. He reminded me of Lambie, my stuffed lamb who unfortunately was loved a little too much.

 

 

Notes from the Front Porch:

Have you read a book like Everything Sad is Untrue that left you with a deeper understanding of someone else? 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

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MMGM: Red Scarf Girl

I wasn’t sure about highlighting this book right now with all that is going on with Covid 19. I thought people might not want to hear about a serious book right now, especially one set in China. But then I realized that I often like to read books about people surviving extraordinary times when my own life is difficult. It puts things in perspective.
 
Red Scarf Girl was recommended for kids who were old enough for YA, but not ready for edgy YA on the Read Aloud Revival, a great website for finding book recommendations!

I'm drawn to books about communism, because I lived in the Crimea in the 90s right after communism fell. It surprised me then how many of my Russian friends were nostalgic for communism, despite how their families had suffered under it. But it was all they’d ever known. This child’s perspective on the Cultural Revolution might surprise you as well.

From Amazon:

In the tradition of The Diary of Anne Frank and I Am Malala, this is the incredible true story of one girl’s courage and determination during one of the most terrifying eras of the twentieth century. This edition includes a detailed glossary, pronunciation guide, discussion questions, and a Q&A with the author.

It's 1966, and twelve-year-old Ji-li Jiang has everything a girl could want: brains, popularity, and a bright future in Communist China. But it's also the year that China's leader, Mao Ze-dong, launches the Cultural Revolution—and Ji-li's world begins to fall apart.

Over the next few years, people who were once her friends and neighbors turn on her and her family, forcing them to live in constant terror of arrest. And when Ji-li's father is finally imprisoned, she faces the most difficult dilemma of her life.

Written in an accessible and engaging style, this page-turning, honest, and deeply personal autobiography will appeal to readers of all ages.

Ji Ji Jang, the author, from her website, jijang.com

My thoughts:

While reading this book, I couldn't help thinking of Breaking Stalin’s Nose, a fictional account of a boy in Stalinist Russia. My son, 15, read the first part of Red Scarf Girl, and said, “But she thinks communism is okay!”  We had a great discussion about propaganda and its effect on people.

What endeared me to this book was its simple story telling. The author doesn’t use a lot of fancy language. The occasional metaphor doesn’t detract from the prose. I liked how she included an afterward on what happened to her and her family after the end of the book.

Like Breaking Stalin’s Nose, it’s Ling's connection with her family that helps Ji-Ji break free from the brainwashing/propaganda she’s believed. Both books are really about the triumph of the human spirit and love for family over a system that seeks to separate families and neighbors and pit them against each other.

Highly recommended. Although Red Scarf Girl takes place in the 60s and was written in the 90s, the message is still very relevant today.

Content warning: While there is some violence in this book, the one death (a suicide) happens off the page. Of course, you know your child or students best, but I would recommend this for MG readers.







To learn more about Ji Ji Jang, go to www.jijang.com. 

What kind of books do you like to read during difficult times? Let me know in the comments!