Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win is fast-paced and poignant. While the book was set in the late 1970s, so many of the micro-aggressions and nationalistic attitudes reminded me of today’s world. The historical context side of the novel was given in manageable chunks, so even if you weren’t familiar with this time period you had a good grasp about how world events were impacting the characters.

The main storyline is about the election on the surface, but for me it was more about the decisions Jasmine had to make about who she was willing to be. What she was willing to do or become to achieve her “dream.” Her personal struggle of not feeling like enough, not quite American enough, not Iranian enough, was so relatable. It’s sad that when you don’t fit into an easy box that you feel like an outsider rather than having acceptance from all sides.

The side characters weren’t as interesting and the relationship issues were a bit predictable. Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend for my students and/or have available in my classroom library.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to the ebook.

This book was really good! Honestly I loved the book so much that I would probably re- read it! I cannot wait for it to release in November so that others can read this book too!

So, this one ended up being hard for me to get through. It feels far too YA for me, but with all the early 80s references, I can’t imagine it will appeal to a large portion of the more appropriate demographic - current highschoolers, born in the mid 00’s. Instead of being “something for everyone”, it felt like a super niche book. Also, I don’t fully believe in the importance of HS transcripts, specifically one extracurricular, being make or break for College admission. But maybe in the 80s it was this way?
Lastly, I didn’t get invested in the supporting characters, Bridget and Patty. I didn’t love their plotline, nor were there enough anecdotes to make me care about either of them. I enjoyed Mike and Ali’s characters the most. I liked the Ee-ran-ian cultural references throughout. Just not the book for me!

I really wanted to like this one, but at the end of the day.. this book was okay for what it was. It was a coming of age story about a high school senior who runs for class president. I personally felt like it could have been set today, and that it was set fifty years ago only to fit in the Iran hostage situation and to omit social media. Jasmine didn't grow much as a character until the last 150 pages or so, which was frustrating but also a little bit understandable considering how focused she was on her goal. I didn't like her friends, or any of the other characters very much. It was readable only because I was stuck in a car for four hours. I kept reading because I wanted to know who won the election, and couldn't come to care about Jasmine, in fact I cared more about Ali. Her consistent rejection of her heritage was understandable, but the complete 180 at the end once she 'won' seemed clumsy and insincere. I thought I would learn about the 70s, Iranian culture and rock bands, but instead I got a girl who denounces her heritage to win a school election because she lied about it on her NYU application. I don't know if she was meant to be unlikeable but I really did not like her., and Amme Minah and Bridget both deserved better.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

It actually pained me to read some of the decisions Jasmine made. Azim Boyer really nailed what it's like to be a teenager! If I hadn't been so invested in the Iranian hostage subplot, I'd likely have given up, I can't live vicariously like that! But I think ultimately the Iranian hostages were a subplot, not the biggest plot line, and I felt a little bit disappointed by that. This is still a very special book for dealing with such a pivotal time. I found it so fascinating seeing Gordan pitted against Jasmine and thinking about how the events at the time would be perceived--nowadays, it feels like we barely know why the US and Iran detest each other, which is very sad.

I really resonated with one section where Jasmine's aunt describes the beautiful places in Iran that Jasmine might never get to go to. I hope Jasmine made it there!

It was a struggle to put this realistic historical fiction down. I'm a sucker for stories featuring young journalists, political commentary, and moral gray areas. This book belongs in the hands of any reader craving fast-paced realistic fiction that's full of drama.

Set in 1979 Southern California, Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win follows an aspiring journalist who's heart is set on NYU. It's a must for becoming an awesome journalist a music magazine like Creem. To ensure her acceptance, Jasmine submits for early decision and fudges her transcript to say she's senior class president. Now she just has to win the election.

Jasmine enlists the help of two friends to run her campaign, and everything is going well until the Iranian Hostage Crisis hits the headlines. Suddenly, the senior class election becomes a referendum on anti-Iranian hate versus an understanding of the complex history of America's interference in Iran. Jasmine is Iranian-American, and her heritage is getting in the way of NYU. Soon Jasmine is trapped in a web of lies, political sabotage, and a crisis of integrity.

I'll just start off saying I might be one of the only one who feels this way...

Jasmine is ready to be done with high school and move on to bigger and greater things. Problem is, her application to NYU needs that extra something- and needs it NOW. She decides to run for class president, which she thinks will be an easy win- until her opponent and world events cause great upheaval. How far is Jasmine willing to go to win?

Honestly, I don't know the answer to this. I just kinda sorta skimmed the last third of this book. I didn't like the characters, didn't particularly care about what happened to them. Wish I could have been more invested in this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @ 45%.

I was really looking forward to this one, but could not get into it. I like the idea of setting a YA novel in a time period most teens have little familiarity with, but all the pop culture references felt forced. The main character is a believable high school senior, but there were too many plot holes for the central conflict (why does a school reelect their president half way? How would the college even know she didn't win?)

I think this will find an audience, but that audience wasn't me.

As blurbed, this novel does have some of the feel of Tom Perotta's Election. An overall enjoyable read, but I wish Jasmine had developed/changed a bit more earlier in the novel.

The setting is 1979. Jasmine loves her large family, and enjoys the customs they brought with them from Iran. She also thinks of herself as a loyal American citizen, and a typical, albeit ambitious, teenager. Then, across the world, the Iran hostage crisis erupts…and Jasmine feels torn in two.
Great nostalgic details; feathered hair, bedazzled jeans, and yellow ribbons tied around trees everywhere while the American hostages languished in Iran.
* I received a digital copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win was a fun book and I loved following our main character and all her antics! The writing style & dialogue of this book was super funny and I could definitely see this adapted into a fun teen comedy film. At the same time, there were so many aspects of the book that contradicted the novel’s theme. Specifically, the political tone of the book leans liberal, but there was a character arc where a racist, conservative student is given a redemption arc, which I was not really a fan of. This character development seemed a little hypocritical considering the novel’s main message. I did really love the Persian rep in this book, though, as well as the 1980’s setting!

What a charming YA read! Set in California during the Iranian Hostage Crisis and follows an Iranian-Irish American high school student trying to become student class president to get into NYU. Jasmine was such a relatable teen-trying so hard to get what she wants all while trying to figure out who she is. I really enjoyed how different aspects of the political conflict was woven into the story, it made it enjoyable but also brought in depth that I wasn’t expecting.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s press for an eARC.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer was an enjoyable read. Jasmine is a highschool senior with dreams of being a journalist but first she must get into her dream school NYU. When she lies about being class president on her application her life gets complicated. Now she's running for class president and she can't lose. Her opponent isn't giving up easily and he's not afraid to play dirty. All of this is happening while the Iranian hostage situation is unfolding and Jasmine is put in a situation where she has to chose between both of her identities as an Iranian and American.

What I really enjoyed about Jasmine's story were the parts where we learn about her culture and community of Persians in LA. As someone who is familiar with the food and the culture because of my friends it was really enjoyable to read these parts. Her friendships were another highlight. Her brother was my favorite character.

At times it was hard for me to like Jasmine though I completely understand where she was coming from. Jasmine is definitely going through a journey of self acceptance.

What do you do when you have the moral compass of an 18 year old high school senior who needs another extracurricular on your nyu college application? Lie of course, then try to make it truth afterwards.

Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win is a slam dunk book that blends history, character, and present day headlines into a seamless story about the internal conflicts we all face when living in a powder keg.

Its a well-written, well-paced, contemporary about finding your voice, losing yourself, and accepting responsibility for all that comes after.

There will be times you want to reach through the text and literally shake Jasmine "Katie" until her brains are unscrambled and in the very next paragraph wanna hold her hand and let her be. A completely complex and fleshed out character study for sure

This was such an incredible, impactful read. I loved getting to know Jasmine. Her ambitiousness and growth is so great to watch and she was simply so easy to root for. Even when she made some bad decisions, I was still on her side and wanted to see her succeed. The parallels to US politics of the time were also so powerful and really made a statement. The 70s references were so cute as well! Even though I didn't grow up then, it was still really fun to see references to life at the time that just made the story more fleshed out and realistic. Overall, this was a lovely and impactful read that I would recommend to anyone!

Great YA read, couldn't put it down

Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles. I really not the opportunity!

I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

A really fun read. I love inclusive YA reads and this being in the 80s was everything I could have wanted. I’ve read several 70s/80s vibes books lately that felt like they didn’t meet the mark, but this one did. It was charming, the balance of politics and humor was lovely.

Wow. This was a great read. I mean, I don’t know that it would be for everyone, but it was set in my formative years, featured music that I know and love, was focused around the Iran Hostage Crisis, and was just generally exactly what I needed to read right now. It was very interesting and well-paced and I love love love Auntie Minah. 💜📚

JASMINE ZUMIDEH NEEDS A WIN is an excellent YA contemporary that I couldn't put down. It is the perfect combination of high drama, hilarity, and important issues of identity and racism that is an absolute must-read. I adored Jasmine as a character--she is authentic, so funny, easy to root for, and it is a delight to read from her perspective. Despite the book taking place in 1979, all of the issues are relevant and important to today. The characters are amazing, the voice is so strong and funny, and I really couldn't have asked for more from a contemporary YA.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All the options and views expressed in this review are solely my own and not affiliated with any brand.

This was a good book. Susan Azim Boyer writing is easy to follow and the story is compelling. I don't believe that I have ever read a YA book that takes place during the Iranian hostage crisis. It was intriguing to read about that time in history.

The main character in this book wasn't very likable but I think that was by design so that the character could show growth by the end of the book. Overall this was a good book that I would recommend to a friend.