Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America

Dumas, Firoozeh Jazayeri. Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0812968378.

Plot
Firoozeh was born in Iran and moved to Southern California with her family at the age of seven. Her extended family soon followed them to America and everyone has been here ever since. The reader follows Firzooeh as she grows up getting used to the cultural differences between her birthplace and her new home. Her quirky family also adjust in their own way, her father especially is filled to the brim with optimism and loves America no matter how much anti-Iranian and anti-Muslim sediment is thrown in his way.

Critical Evaluation
Dumas is an excellent writer with a clear and simple narrative. She knows how to have just the right amount of words to tell a story without getting bogged down with details. Her father is the comic relief of the story and his pure love of the American dream despite the troubles and sometimes racial tensions he faces is inspiring. This is a funny, heartwarming book that deals with racial issues. Dumas is a talented writer being able to get just the right balance of every emotion and theme in her autobiography.

Reader's Annotation
Firoozeh Dumas is a typical girl who was born in Iran and moved to America when she was seven. She and her family go on a funny as well as crazy cultural ride as they try to adjust living in America and deal with racial issues from both the U.S. and Iran.

About the Author
Firoozeh Dumas was born in Abadan Iran. Ever since she was young she wrote essays and later submitted them for scholarships in order to attend UC Berkeley. Her family continued to move between California and Iran until they finally settled in Newport Beach, California.

She has written two books including Funny in Farsi. She was also the first Middle Eastern woman to be nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor for her work. She is married with children and often tours the country to give book talks.

Genre
Nonfiction

Curriculum
Racism
Iranian American
The immigrant experience
Autobiography

Book Talking Ideas
Why do you think her father is able to have an unwavering love for America despite all the racism he experiences?
What do you think helped Firoozeh the most in adapting to America?
Does this book change the way you view Iranian Americans? Or Muslims?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Teens and Adults

Challenge Issues
The book deals with acts of racism

Challenge Answer
Unfortunately racism exists and Firoozeh does a good job in keeping an accurate and balanced perspective on racial issues.

Why Included in Selection
This was a great and funny book. Also, it deals with racial issues without being depressing.