Description: "A breath of fresh air and punch to the gut all rolled into one." --Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay This "lyrical" (Kirkus Reviews) coming-of-age novel for fans of Darius the Great Is Not Okay and On the Come Up, set in Southern California in 1996, follows a teen who wants to honor her deceased friend's legacy by entering a rap contest.Perfect Iranian girls are straight A students, always polite, and grow up to marry respectable Iranian boys. But it's the San Fernando Valley in 1996, and Rana Joon is far from perfect--she smokes weed and loves Tupac, and she has a secret: she likes girls. As if that weren't enough, her best friend, Louie--the one who knew her secret and encouraged her to live in the moment--died almost a year ago, and she's still having trouble processing her grief. To honor him, Rana enters the rap battle he dreamed of competing in, even though she's terrified of public speaking. But the clock is ticking. With the battle getting closer every day, she can't decide whether to use one of Louie's pieces or her own poetry, her family is coming apart, and she might even be falling in love. To get herself to the stage and fulfill her promise before her senior year ends, Rana will have to learn to speak her truth and live in the one and only now.
Brief description: Rasha Zamamiri is an actress, a singer, and a voiceover artist who was born in the Middle East and raised all over the world. She has a vast knowledge of cultures, customs, and religions, which have helped her character portrayals on stage, on TV, and in the booth. She was also the first Muslim featured in a national commercial wearing the hijab, which was televised during the Super Bowl, Olympics, and multiple national events.
Review Quotes:
"Achingly beautiful and devastatingly funny. Rana Joon is the big sister I wish I'd had growing up. Required reading for every Iranian American teen."
-- "Olivia Abtahi, award-winning author of Perfectly Parvin"