This is one of those YA novels that does something genuinely important: it normalizes mental health struggles without making them a Very Special Episode. Darius takes his antidepressants, goes to therapy, and still has bad days—and that's just part of his life, not his entire identity.
The Iran trip is beautifully rendered, full of specific details (faludeh! rooftop conversations! Persian tea culture!) that make it feel real rather than exotic. The friendship with Sohrab is the heart of the book—quiet, meaningful, and transformative without being melodramatic.
Yes, there's bullying with sexual references and some heavy family dynamics, but it's all in service of an honest, tender story about a kid who just wants to feel like enough. The writing is sharp, funny, and deeply empathetic. This isn't a hard read in terms of complexity, but it is emotionally weighty—save it for kids who can sit with sadness and come out the other side.
A strong, meaningful addition to any teen's reading list, especially for kids navigating identity, mental health, or feeling like they're caught between worlds.






