Darius the Great Is Not Okay

getting sore, so I did the same, and edged toward the door.

Mom nodded along with Laleh and laughed at all the right spots while I followed Dad back down to the living room.

It wasn t like I didn t want to talk to Mamou.

I always wanted to talk to her.

But it was hard. It didn t feel like she was half a world away, it felt like she was half a universe away like she was coming to me from some alternate reality.

It was like Laleh belonged to that reality, but I was just a guest.

I suppose Dad was a guest too. At least we had that in common.

Dad and I sat all the way through the ending credits that was part of the tradition too and then Dad went upstairs to check on Mom.

Laleh had wandered back down during the last few minutes of the show, but she stood by the Haft-Seen, watching the goldfish swim in their bowl.

Dad makes us turn our end table into a Haft-Seen on March 1 every year. And every year, Mom tells him that s too early. And every year, Dad says it s to get us in the Nowruz spirit, even though Nowruz the Persian New Year isn t until the first day of spring.

Most Haft-Seens have vinegar and sumac and sprouts and apples and pudding and dried olives and garlic on them all things that start with the sound of S in Farsi. Some people add other things that don t begin with S to theirs too: symbols of renewal and prosperity, like mirrors and bowls of coins. And some families like ours have goldfish too. Mom said it had something to do with the zodiac and Pisces, but then she admitted that if it weren t for Laleh, who loved taking care of the goldfish, she wouldn t include them at all.

Sometimes I thou

perfect book for you. Adib Khorram's Darius the Great Is Not Okay is a tender look into the life of Darius Kellner, a nerdy half-Persian teenager who's having difficulty finding his place in the world.
PopSugar

Darius the Great Is Not Okay brings Iran alive, with sounds and smells and imagery, and you'll tearfully be rooting for Darius as he struggles with this mental health, identity, and his place in the world.
Bustle

First-time author Khorram s coming-of-age novel  brings to life the sight, sounds, smells, and tastes of [Iran] . . . as it shows how a boy who feels like an outcast at home finds himself and true friendship overseas.
Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
  Khorram's debut novel is filled with insight into the lives of teens, weaving together the reality of living with mental illness while also dealing with identity and immigration politics. This tear-jerker will leave readers wanting to follow the next chapter in Darius s life.
Kirkus, starred review

Darius is a well-crafted, awkward but endearing character, and his cross-cultural story will inspire reflection about identity and belonging. A strong choice for YA shelves. Give this to fans of Adam Silvera and John Corey Whaley.
School Library Journal, starred review

A refreshing bildungsroman and an admirable debut novel that will leave readers wanting more.
Booklist

Khorram s debut novel is an affectionate portrait of Iran: the food and aromas, the rich traditions and eclectic culture. . . . Readers will understand that home can be more than the physical place you live, and that people who make you feel at home can come into your life unexpectedly.
The Horn Book

"Heartfelt, tender, and so utterly real. I'd live in this book forever if I could."
Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

I love this story, and the way it combines the bitter of adolescence with the sweet of friendship and family. Brewed together they make a beautiful, memorable book.
Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak

Darius the Great is not just okay he s wonderful. A story about learning who you are, who you want to be in the world, and how family will always be there, no matter how great the physical or emotional distance.  
Sara Farizan, author of If You Could Be Mine

"I've never read a book that so powerfully demonstrates how connecting with where you come from can illuminate who you are and help you figure out where you're going. From its deadpan Star Trek humor to its brilliant examination of mental health, Darius the Great is Not Okay is a supernova of heart and hope that's sure to become a classic."
Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin

"A love letter to anyone who has felt uncomfortable in their own skin and wondered where exactly they belonged. A big-hearted and marvelous debut."
Jasmine Warga, author of My Heart and Other Black Holes

Darius the Great is Not Okay is a total knockout. This story of identity and friendship and how one can inform and reveal the other will stay with me for a long time. And challenge me too, as a person and artist, which all great books should do. For its exploration of male friendship and cultural expectations alone, Adib Khorram s lovely debut should be required reading.
John Corey Whaley, award-winning author of Highly Illogical Behavior

"Prepare to fall hard for Darius. His voice will grab you instantly, with sharp humor and tender growing up moments, and won't let go until the very last page. This is openhearted storytelling at its best."
Arvin Ahmadi, author of Down and Across