It Ain't So Awful, Falafel Audiobook By Firoozeh Dumas cover art

It Ain't So Awful, Falafel

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

It Ain't So Awful, Falafel

By: Firoozeh Dumas
Narrated by: Firoozeh Dumas
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh is the new kid on the block...for the fourth time. California's Newport Beach is her family's latest perch, and she's determined to shuck her brainy loner persona and start afresh with a new Brady Bunch name - Cindy. It's the late 1970s, and fitting in becomes more difficult as Iran makes US headlines with protests, revolution, and finally the taking of American hostages. Even mood rings and puka shell necklaces can't distract Cindy from the anti-Iran sentiments that creep way too close to home.

A poignant yet lighthearted middle grade debut from the author of the best-selling Funny in Farsi.

©2016 Firoozeh Dumas (P)2016 Audible, Inc. Difficult Discussions Explore the World Family Life Fiction Geography & Cultures Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Historical Fiction Humorous Fiction Literature & Fiction Social & Life Skills Friendship Comedy Discrimination Funny Middle East Witty Tearjerking
Historical Accuracy • Engaging Humor • Warm Voice • Educational Content • Flowing Narrative • Cultural Insights
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
I enjoyed everything about this book except the regret I felt for not having paid more attention to the actual events when they happened while I was a young high schooler in 1979. What an interesting and entertaining way for young people to learn about this part of history.

Wonderful book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It is a narrative of a sweet Iranian-American girl living in California the moment Iran's history changed and it started to be seing as an enemy of the US. It teaches a lot about being human before being from a country or following a religion. Highly recommended.

It Ain't So Awful, Falafel

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I couldn't stop listening to this book. It was that interesting! It's about acts of kindness. It's about how history is the stories of people and the battles they fight within. It's about being a foreigner in a strange country. And it's about the Iran Hostage Crisis of the late 1970s. It's about wanting and finding friends and the importance of family. But I can only say these things looking back on all the little events that happened in the story. While I was listening, I just wanted to find out what happened next. This is a good book for mature ten year olds and up. Nice for a family road trip. I am 65 and I loved it!!!

You are gonna cry at the end, it's SOOOO happy!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Firoozeh Dumas does a great job balancing the real historical facts of the Iran hostage crisis with her semi-autobiographical story of living in the U.S. as a middle school kid during that time. Maybe it is because I remember that time so clearly as a kid myself, but the experiences of the main character and how she navigates the perils of middle school and the perils of being "other" in American society felt very true to me. Dumas manages to inject plenty of humor into the story without cheapening the characters' experiences. I plan to promote this book with my fifth graders, who I think will really dig it.

Way better than awful!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I listened to this audiobook and really enjoyed it! I love to learn about other cultures especially when there is great humor involved. My daughters also listened and couldn't turn it off! The themes of kindness, and perseverance really spoke to them. I'd recommend this book to everyone!

Fantastic book for all ages!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I could not stop listening because it is so enjoyable. She has written the book perfect. As an Iranian American I feel very connected to the life story. And I love the humor throughout the book and how the story fluently flows from the beginning to the end.

Best book I listened to in Audible

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I really enjoyed this book. I love when the author narrates their own work. I love learning about other people's perspectives. Excited to have this in my classroom library to share a great story and bring more diversity.

Wonderful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you consider the audio edition of It Ain't So Awful, Falafel to be better than the print version?

YES, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT A BOOK BEING READ BY IT'S AUTHOR, THE LOVE SHINES THROUGH.

Which character – as performed by Firoozeh Dumas – was your favorite?

HERSELF AND BOTH HER PARENTS WITH HUMOR AND LOVE.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

FUN STORIES

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Touching and humorous semi-autobiographical novel enjoyed by the whole family (8 YO+) during a car trip. Very interesting historical setting about Iranian immigrants living in Southern California in the late 70's, told from the perspective of a 12YO. Great reading by the author!

Great reading by the author!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I thought this book might be boring but as they say never judge a book by its cover. One of the best books i've ever listened to. I highly recommend it!

awesome book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews