A great book with great rep that I'm excited to sell to people. It did lag at times but overall Wass a very mature YA novel with a nice new perspective.

Jasmine Zumideh Needs A Win is a new young adult novel which is set in 1979. It's Jasmin Zumideh's senior year and she is ready to get out of her home town in California. Her dream is to move to New York and become a music journalist. It looks like everything is going to happen until she realizes that there is a new hitch in her plans: on her resume to her chosen school she said that she was the senior class president elect. the problem? The election hasn't actually taken place yet.

Jasmine is running against fellow class mate Gerald Thomas and honestly she really does think she has this election in the bag. Gerald's platform is all about the rules including reinstating a dress code. With the help of her friends, she focuses her campaign on fun things that would also improve the school. It looks like alot of her classmates are going to vote for her. That is until the real-life news about Iran suddenly changes everything.

As a whole Jasmine is a conflicted character. She is proud of her Iranian heritage but she is not very vocal about it. She has mixed feelings about this whole election process and what it means for her dreams about NYU. She is also caught between her divorcing parents and her arguing best friends. There is alot on her plate! What I liked about Jasmine is that she is really is a determined character. She makes multiple mistakes throughout this story which impact her integrity as a person. As a reader I understood why she was doing what was she doing. She is flawed but that is what makes her human.

Jasmine Zumideh Needs A Win is the debut novel of author Susan Azim Boyer. I really enjoyed her writing style. It was witty yet beautifully poignant at the same time. She kept me rooting for Jasmine while also wanting her to grow as a person. The use of real life events of 1979 helped the pacing of the story and also added to the complications which Jasmine was experiencing. It also allowed for Iranian-America representation which is something very much needed in todays world. There was also a touch of romance as well which seemed fitting for a girl trying to finish her senior year and avoid complete destruction. All of these little pieces helped form a unique and exciting debut novel. I look forward to seeing what this author brings us next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for graciously providing my complimentary copy of Jasmine Zumideh Needs A Win by Susan Azim Boyer. I’m leaving this review on my own with my own opinions and thoughts.

This was an interesting read, however I didn’t find myself connecting with the characters. It just wasn’t the right fit for me, although it wasn’t a bad book. I just couldn’t get over the MC’s negativity and behavior, or some of the other characters’ behaviors either.

I liked that it shed light on the Iranian Hostage Crisis, and I don’t want to deter anyone from picking it up because there wasn’t anything inherently wrong with the book, I just didn’t find myself connecting with it.

Thank you again, Wednesday Books!

Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win was so not what I was expecting it to be and it was better for it.

This is not a romance. Susan Azim Boyer gives us a complex look into a teenager’s life when suddenly the outside world intrudes on the reality they want to live in. Jasmine wants to blend into white society and be popular. She wants to get out of California and head to NYU. Unfortunately, she tells some lies to get herself on the path there. Her brother on the other hand wants anything but to fit in. Ali is all about illuminating the people around him to the political goings on in the world. They are complete opposites. Jasmine heading to whiteness and Ali embracing his culture.

Then a couple of things happen simultaneously, Jasmine throws her hat into the ring for school election and the Iran Hostage Crisis happens. I remember this time period and the attitudes at school. I’m white and I can still remember the racist comments. Jasmine hides behind the lack of knowledge of those around her heritage whereas Ali shouts him from the rooftops. Jasmine’s journey through treachery, friendships, sabotage, and her identity is fascinating.

I loved this story and the ill-intentioned road that Jasmine sets herself out on before becoming a better person. Boyer hooked me and kept me until the final page.

This story was an engaging, fun, highly enjoyable read. I found myself cheering for Jasmine throughout this story, even when the decisions being made weren't the soundest. Lots of fun and also resonates beautifully.

In 1979, Jasmine's dream is to attend NYU, but she knows to get in, she needs a stellar list of activities. She sees an opportunity to make her dream come true by running for class president - only for her activities, she lists she IS the president. And so begins a contentious campaign. Jasmine's campaign and life are complicated by conflict between the United States and Iran. Jasmine has to decide where she stands and how she wants to react. This was a good read about a teen deciding how she connects to social issues and also how that connects to the wild world of high school. On a personal note, there were some mentions of Manhattan (the Kansas one) in here that I loved as a K-Stater. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this November 2022 release!

Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win has the voicey hilarity reminiscent of Maureen Johnson with a dash of Louise Rennison’s chaotic Georgia Nicholson. A modern story set against a vivid early 80s backdrop, I was sucked in from the start by Jasmine’s unforgettable voice, which had me laughing from the jump.

Jasmine is a girl stuck in the middle—of her separating parents, her sniping best friends, and her two cultures. And most importantly, she’s stuck in the middle of doing what’s right and what will get her not just the thing she wants but the thing she’s convinced herself she needs: an acceptance to NYU that will change life as she knows it.

Jasmine is whip smart and determined, even when she has to sacrifice her own integrity time and time again to succeed in her mission to win the senior class presidency. But even as she makes one terrible decision after the next, you won’t stop rooting for her, and better: you’ll always understand why she does the things she does.

And don’t forget about Mike, the darling angel love interest with truly unimpeachable morals, who makes us all want to be a better person.

Susan Azim Boyer has crafted a story that will not only make you laugh out loud at every turn, but will also make you question how far you would go, and if you’d be brave enough to do what’s right, if you were in Jasmine’s shoes.

I found this to be a well written young adult book and a quick fun read. I would definitely recommend more to the teenage crowd.

In Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win Jasmine Katie Zumideh dreams of interviewing rock stars for Creem magazine. She thinks the way to achieve this is by getting a journalism degree at NYU and in the process reinventing herself. In order to pad her application, she says she is class president, although she has just declared her candidacy. She assumes the election is a slam-dunk because she is running against ultra-conservative Gerald whose platform includes reinstating school uniforms and saying the pledge of allegiance. But then Americans are taken hostage in Iran and Jasmine's brother Ali becomes radicalized, vocally supporting the Iranian protesters. Gerald villainizes Iran in his platform, while Jasmine tries to distance herself from her Persian heritage, which is not easy with Ali staging protests at school. Her campaign managers convince her she must take the low road to win, which includes making ridiculous campaign promises, going by the name Jasmine Katie and revealing that Gerald's dad is in prison. Amidst the campaign controversies, she is also dealing with separated parents, friends cheating on each other and expecting her to keep it secret, and academic pressures. The historical setting and realistic cultural details, especially focusing on middle eastern food, make this a real win.

Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win" by Susan Azim Boyer is a captivating and relatable coming-of-age novel that will resonate with young adult readers. The story follows Jasmine, a teenage Iranian-American girl who is struggling to find her place in the world. As she faces the challenges of high school, family expectations, and cultural identity, Jasmine is determined to achieve her goals and live up to her own standards of success.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the portrayal of Jasmine's growth and self-discovery. The author, Susan Azim Boyer, does an excellent job of capturing the complexity and authenticity of the teenage experience, with its insecurities, uncertainties, and moments of triumph. Readers will find themselves empathizing with Jasmine as she navigates the ups and downs of adolescence, and will be inspired by her resilience and determination.

Another strong point of the book is the portrayal of family dynamics and cultural identity. Jasmine's relationship with her parents and extended family is both realistic and relatable, and the author explores the tensions that arise from the clash of Iranian and American cultures with sensitivity and nuance.

Overall, "Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win" is a compelling and relatable YA novel that offers an insightful exploration of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. If you're a fan of contemporary YA fiction with a strong and relatable female protagonist, you won't want to miss this book.

I’ll admit it: Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win wasn’t necessarily on my radar for this end of the year… Yet, I’m really, really happy it made it there. It was such a lovely discovery and I had a lot of fun reading this book, overall. Check out my review below to know more about it! 🙂

I ENJOYED…
This book is entirely carried by Jasmine Zumideh, the main character of this story. She’s Iranian-American, she’s planning on going to NYU after her senior year to study journalism. She’s ambitious and determined – so determined she lies on her NYU early application, aerm, yet also really messy, at times. Basically, she’s your typical teenager and I just loved that. She makes some bad choices that made me wince as I read on, but I loved seeing her grow so much.
One of the highlights of this book definitely is the way it manages to balance perfectly between fun moments and important discussions about identity, racism and US foreign policies at the time the story is set (in 1979). I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979 before reading this book. How these events affected Jasmine, her entire family, even the student election at her high school as her opponent reveals himself with very dangerous xenophobic comments… I found it remarkable how the author depicted these real-life events into these fictional characters’ lives and how it changed them. From Ali, Jasmine’s brother taking a stand against US foreign politics out loud, to Jasmine trying to navigate the way Iranians are suddenly perceived, while still wanting to win the student election…

There’s such a good place for friendships in this story, I really appreciated it! Jasmine’s stuck between her two “best” friends, always wanting to put one before the other and quickly thrown against her will into keeping a terrible secret that’s not her own. I really enjoyed the little friends group in this story and particularily the bond between Bridget and Jasmine, torn apart at times and yet still so real.
I also really appreciated the inclusion of family in this story. Jasmine’s parents are separated and she’s still trying to deal with the consequences of it all. Her Auntie is living with them as their father’s on a work trip, cooking all the delicious Persian food and stressing out about the hostage situation. Her brother, Ali, has started speaking out about US foreign policies at her high school. It might feel like too much, listed just like that, but it wasn’t. I just loved how each of these elements were included in the story, making it well-rounded, overall.

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…
I liked that this story included a little bit of romance, but I personally found it a bit underwhelming. I wished I felt a little more chemistry between the characters, I wished maybe for some deeper moments between the characters to really be on board, with it.
Overall, I binged this book really quickly, but felt like I wanted a bit more depth with the relationships. I longed for more, deeper moments between Jasmine and her family, especially between Jasmine and her brother as things resolved themselves by the end of the story.

OVERALL
Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win was overall an entertaining, funny, smart read. I really loved how it balanced between tough, important topics and the every day, a little confusing at times, teenager life. Recommending it!

I started this novel a couple of times and each time I’d get about a chapter in and stop. I’m sure this is an enjoyable read, but it wasn’t the right fit for me. There was a sort of negativity to the protagonist that I found difficult to overcome. I do understand that it likely started that way, and throughout the plot her character would develop, but, in the end, this book wasn’t the right fit for me as a reader. I am sorry I could not review it in a more thorough way. This is a personal opinion and should not deter anyone from picking it up and reading it.

Though this book is perfectly fine, it didn't grab me. I shared the title and the premise with a student book selection committee and they indicated that it wasn't something they were interested in having for the collection.

This book was adorable! I really enjoyed Jasmine as the Main Character, and her determination (as a teen) to become President. I thought the representation in this book was wonderful, and the incorporation of real-life teen issues was fantastic. This is YA and I don't typically move toward YA but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

I struggled with this book— I really wanted to like it, and I enjoyed the unique perspective of the book, but I just couldn't get into the story. It was a great take for a YA perspective on the Iranian hostage crisis, but the writing was too choppy for me to feel immersed in the book.

This was a fun and entertaining read. I loved following along Jasmine running for student council. I found the time period interesting and I learned about the Iran Hostage Crisis. This is a YA book, but Jasmine is a relatable character dealing with all the emotions one deals with a teenager and dealing with family and friends. It was an enjoyable read! I would recommend it both to adults and YA.

Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win is fresh and funny, a book that makes you root for the main character even while she is making decisions you know are going to come back to haunt her. As a biracial Iranian-American myself, Jasmine's struggles with her identity, to figure out how to be Iranian AND American, hit very close to home, making my heart ache for her. The time period shines through without ever feeling like a parody of the '70s. Overall, this book is beautifully done -- and the descriptions of Iranian food had me drooling throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a perfect coming of age YA depicting a time period that is rarely spoken about. It's fun, serious and informative, everything you love form a YA novel.

This was a total miss for me. I really struggled with the main character, Jasmine. She was so frustrating and I eventually gave up and DNF this one. Didn't work for me, but I know I"m in the minority.