1 of 1 copy available
This "lyrical" (Kirkus Reviews) coming-of-age novel for fans of Darius the Great Is Not Okay and On the Come Up, set in Southern California in 1996, follows a teen who wants to honor her deceased friend's legacy by entering a rap contest.
Perfect Iranian girls are straight A students, always polite, and grow up to marry respectable Iranian boys. But it's the San Fernando Valley in 1996, and Rana Joon is far from perfect—she smokes weed and loves Tupac, and she has a secret: she likes girls.
As if that weren't enough, her best friend, Louie—the one who knew her secret and encouraged her to live in the moment—died almost a year ago, and she's still having trouble processing her grief. To honor him, Rana enters the rap battle he dreamed of competing in, even though she's terrified of public speaking.
But the clock is ticking. With the battle getting closer every day, she can't decide whether to use one of Louie's pieces or her own poetry, her family is coming apart, and she might even be falling in love. To get herself to the stage and fulfill her promise before her senior year ends, Rana will have to learn to speak her truth and live in the one and only now.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
July 25, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781797165080
- File size: 262408 KB
- Duration: 09:06:40
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from May 8, 2023
In 1996 San Fernando Valley, shy, Tupac-obsessed high school senior Rana Joon struggles to hide her queer identity from her strict Iranian parents while navigating loss in Etaat’s vivacious debut. The only person who knew Rana was a lesbian was her biracial best friend Louie, an aspiring rapper who died in a car accident one year prior. Knowing that Louie’s dream was to win annual rap battle the Way of the Wu, Rana signs up to participate in Louie’s honor, planning to use one of his pieces. But when her coach reminds her that “the competition is about revealing truth,” Rana knows that if she wants to win, she can’t recycle someone else’s story. Even as she wrestles with her fear of public speaking, and as familial conflicts threaten to overwhelm, a budding romance and support from her community might be what she needs to finally live as her authentic self. Abundant era-specific cultural and musical references imbue the narrative with a nostalgic vibe and the effervescent air of a summer block party, expertly complementing the heady seasonal California setting. Through Rana’s magnetic POV and striking poetry, Etaat conveys Rana’s anger, desire, and grief, making for a lively and thought-provoking exploration of self-love and self-discovery. Ages 14–up. Agent: Margaret Danko and Kim Perel, Irene Goodman Agency. -
Rasha Zamamiri offers an expressive performance in this coming-of-age story set in 1990s California. Rana Joon doesn't fit the mold of the stereotypical female Iranian teen. She loves rap and other women. The one person who truly knew her has died; now she's going to enter a rap contest in memory of him. While there are plenty of secondary characters that flesh out this story, Zamamiri's narration focuses on Rana Joon. She's depicted as a bold, fearless young woman who is determined to achieve her goals. Interestingly, scenes of conflict between Rana Joon and her classmates, family, and friends are the most entertaining parts of the story, not because of their narrative gusto but because they're performed so realistically. Listeners will empathize with Rana Joon's struggles and passions. G.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine -
October 1, 2023
Gr 9 Up-High school senior Rana is struggling. Her best friend Louie died almost a year ago. She's sleeping with his not-identical twin brother for misguided comfort, although she's gay. She can't tell her (homophobic) mother who worries about Rana's marriageability, or her absent father who only visits the family once a year from Iran. Her "whitewashed" younger brother has "turned into [her] worst nightmare." She's even abandoned basketball-because she won't do anything she loves with Louie dead. What she can do is "liberate Louie...release his words" by entering an annual rap battle. Despite her fear of performing, Rana will embody the poet Louie was-by embracing the poet she is. Arab American actor Zamamiri is undoubtedly facile with accents, tones, genders necessary for the many diverse backgrounds of the characters populating Iranian American Etaat's debut novel. VERDICT Zamamiri's dynamic performance parallels Rana's aspirational goals as she takes center stage.
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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