
Implementing a distinct literary style and challenging western narrative structures, Nayeri deftly weaves through stories of the long and beautiful history of his family in Iran, adding a richness of ancient tales and Persian folklore. At the front of a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou.

Anywhere becomes the sad, cement refugee camps of Italy, and then finally asylum in the U.S. Written by Daniel Nayeri Published by Levine Querido. At the core is Daniel's story of how they became refugees-starting with his mother's vocal embrace of Christianity in a country that made such a thing a capital offense, and continuing through their midnight flight from the secret police, bribing their way onto a plane-to-anywhere. In an Oklahoman middle school, Khosrou (whom everyone calls Daniel) stands in front of a skeptical audience of classmates, telling the tales of his family's history, stretching back years, decades, and centuries. Summary (from Amazon):"A patchwork story is the shame of the refugee," Nayeri writes early in the novel. "Supple, sparkling and original.Location ( my 2021 Google Reading map) : Iran, United Arab Emirates, Italy, and USA (OK) But Khosrou’s stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful, and terrifying, from the moment his family fled Iran in the middle. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book. "A modern masterpiece - as epic as the "Iliad" and "Shahnameh," and as heartwarming as "Charlotte's Web." It's for the kids at the lunch table the heroes of tomorrow, just looking to survive the battle of adolescence." - NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny who makes things up and talks about poop too much. Get ready to explore Everything Sad Is Untrue and its meaning.


"At once beautiful and painful, this timely story is highly recommended for middle grade readers."- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review) A remarkable work that raises the literary bar in children's lit."- BOOKLIST (starred review) Ailsa Changs is Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. "One of the most extraordinary books of the year."- BOOKPAGE ( starred review) To celebrate the launch of NPRs 2020 Book Concierge, each All Things Considered host will share a favorite book. A story of heartbreak and resilience." - FOREWORD REVIEWS (starred review) A rare treasure of a book." - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review) Readers will be transported."- BCCB (starred review)

"A modern epic." - KIRKUS REVIEWS ( starred review) "Like nothing else you've read or ever will read."-Newbery Medalist, Linda Sue Park
