IT AIN'T SO AWFUL, FALAFEL, by Firoozeh Dumas

The story: Forget Zomorod, she's Cindy now. It's not that she's embarrassed about coming from Iran (although everyone seems to think they ride camels there), its more that she wants to be an America living in America. But a revolution in her home country, followed by a hostage crises involving the extremists, makes it even harder--and when her dad loses his job, it looks like they may have to go back to a country she won't even recognize. It's tough to think that maybe it really AIN'T so awful... falafel.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G, Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic and the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (immigrants and their challenges, prejudice, parental depression) PG; overall rating G.

Liz's comments: This is a fun look at the problems suffered by non-English speaking immigrants coming to the US, even as far back as the 1970s--not getting the idioms, having to serve as a translator for their parents, questions as to which culture is better. Add in the very interesting time frame of the Iran hostage crisis, and kids will get a look at an episode from very recent history that still has implications for today. This one is best for grades 4-6.