Levine Querido Everything Sad Is Untrue

It was a good book.

Lovely story about life and how to overcome. Not only children should read it but everyone!

I loved this book, from the title to the conclusion. Nayeri's story is remarkable and is told (through the author's 5th grade self) with humor and honesty and sensitivity and insight. I enjoyed the structure--there are no chapters (which makes it difficult to stop reading-I finished in two days!), but the prose is engrossing, full of moments that are really beautiful.Although there is sadness in Nayeri's story, it never feels overwhelming. Every character-like all of us-is always producing something. For the author, the product is a lovely, heartfelt and well-constructed tribute to his mother's journey and transition to to America.This book is well worth your time. I wouldn't recommend it for very young readers (my nine year old-although a good reader-struggled with the lack of chapters and some of the language), but I think that anyone from 13-109 could really enjoy this book.

Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) is the closest to perfection a book can be. I read it in its entirety in two sittings on the same day. My body, mind, and heart were fully engaged from page one. Daniel Nayeri is a master storyteller, weaving his narrative in and out of time and place while artfully embodying both (all?) of the traditions that have contributed to his formation. I could taste the baklava. I could smell the jasmine. I could hear the bullies’ taunts. I could touch the Persian rugs and the cheap shag carpets. I could see the twisters in the distance. My heart went on the journey with him, and I think I came out a better, or at least more empathetic and hopeful, person. Highly recommend!

I know that there are so many 5 star reviews, but it's just not that well-written of a book. It has so much potential, but never really had a plot. I'm a middle schooler, in the right age range for this book, and we read Everything Sad is Untrue in my book club. I personally LOVE reading, but this... I sped read the last half of the book before our book club meeting. I just couldn't get engaged or anything. What it pretty much was (to me) was a very, very, VERY long description of one thing. Lots of other people in my book club agreed. Even my teacher! With all due respect to the author, and those who love the book, I would highly NOT recommend.