Starred review from May 8, 2023
In 1996 San Fernando Valley, shy, Tupac-obsessed high school senior Rana Joon struggles to hide her queer identity from her strict Iranian parents while navigating loss in Etaat’s vivacious debut. The only person who knew Rana was a lesbian was her biracial best friend Louie, an aspiring rapper who died in a car accident one year prior. Knowing that Louie’s dream was to win annual rap battle the Way of the Wu, Rana signs up to participate in Louie’s honor, planning to use one of his pieces. But when her coach reminds her that “the competition is about revealing truth,” Rana knows that if she wants to win, she can’t recycle someone else’s story. Even as she wrestles with her fear of public speaking, and as familial conflicts threaten to overwhelm, a budding romance and support from her community might be what she needs to finally live as her authentic self. Abundant era-specific cultural and musical references imbue the narrative with a nostalgic vibe and the effervescent air of a summer block party, expertly complementing the heady seasonal California setting. Through Rana’s magnetic POV and striking poetry, Etaat conveys Rana’s anger, desire, and grief, making for a lively and thought-provoking exploration of self-love and self-discovery. Ages 14–up. Agent: Margaret Danko and Kim Perel, Irene Goodman Agency.
October 1, 2023
Gr 9 Up-High school senior Rana is struggling. Her best friend Louie died almost a year ago. She's sleeping with his not-identical twin brother for misguided comfort, although she's gay. She can't tell her (homophobic) mother who worries about Rana's marriageability, or her absent father who only visits the family once a year from Iran. Her "whitewashed" younger brother has "turned into [her] worst nightmare." She's even abandoned basketball-because she won't do anything she loves with Louie dead. What she can do is "liberate Louie...release his words" by entering an annual rap battle. Despite her fear of performing, Rana will embody the poet Louie was-by embracing the poet she is. Arab American actor Zamamiri is undoubtedly facile with accents, tones, genders necessary for the many diverse backgrounds of the characters populating Iranian American Etaat's debut novel. VERDICT Zamamiri's dynamic performance parallels Rana's aspirational goals as she takes center stage.
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