Hilarious and heartbreaking, this unforgettable novel is for anyone who's ever felt not good enough-then met a friend who makes them feel so much better than okay
Adib Khorram is an author, a graphic designer, and a tea enthusiast. If he's not writing (or at his day job), you can probably find him trying to get his 100-yard Freestyle (SCY) under a minute, or learning to do a Lutz Jump. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
Praise for Darius the Great is Not Okay
One of TIME's 100 Best YA Books of All Time
William C. Morris Debut Award
Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature
Lambda Literary Award Finalist
YALSA Best Fiction For Young Adults Top 10
Publishers Weekly Flying Start
TIME's 10 Best Young Adult and Children's Books of the Year
Boston Globe Best Books of the Year
Wall Street Journal Best Books of the Year
BuzzFeed Best YA Books of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
Kirkus Best Books of the Year
New York Public Library's Best Books of the Year
Book Expo Young Adult Buzz Panel Selection
Indies Introduce Selection
Indie Next Top Ten Pick
“Layered with complexities of identity, body image and mental
illness that are so rarely articulated in the voice of a teenage
boy of color. Khorram writes tenderly and humorously about his
protagonist’s journey of self-acceptance, making it hard not to
want to reach through the pages, squeeze his hand and reassure
Darius that he is, in fact, going to be O.K.”
—The New York Times
“Reminiscent of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (better known in
movie form as Love, Simon) and Angie Thomas’ phenomenal The Hate U
Give, the novel chronicles a politically aware teendom where
microaggressions are as much an everyday obstacle as untamed acne
and humdrum mall jobs… Darius the Great Is Not Okay will have you
craving a freshly steeped tea, an episode of Star Trek, and a glass
of faludeh—all courtesy of one delightful package.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“This is the hilarious and heartbreaking story of Darius: a
clinically-depressed, half-Persian lonely American teenage Trekkie
who heads to Iran for the first time to meet his mom’s family.”
—Cosmopolitan
“This is an incredible story of friendship, family, and identity
that you absolutely won't regret reading.”
—Buzzfeed
“Is your heart still full from reading Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens
Agenda? Well, do we have the perfect book for you. Adib Khorram's
Darius the Great Is Not Okay is a tender look into the life of
Darius Kellner, a nerdy half-Persian teenager who's having
difficulty finding his place in the world.”
—PopSugar
“Darius the Great Is Not Okay brings Iran alive, with sounds and
smells and imagery, and you'll tearfully be rooting for Darius as
he struggles with this mental health, identity, and his place in
the world.”
—Bustle
★ “First-time author Khorram’s coming-of-age novel brings to
life the sight, sounds, smells, and tastes of [Iran] . . . as it
shows how a boy who feels like an outcast at home finds himself and
true friendship overseas.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “Khorram's debut novel is filled with insight into the lives
of teens, weaving together the reality of living with mental
illness while also dealing with identity and immigration politics.
This tear-jerker will leave readers wanting to follow the next
chapter in Darius’s life.”
—Kirkus, starred review
★ “Darius is a well-crafted, awkward but endearing character, and
his cross-cultural story will inspire reflection about identity and
belonging. A strong choice for YA shelves. Give this to fans of
Adam Silvera and John Corey Whaley.”
—School Library Journal, starred review
“A refreshing bildungsroman and an admirable debut novel that will
leave readers wanting more.”
—Booklist
“Khorram’s debut novel is an affectionate portrait of Iran: the
food and aromas, the rich traditions and eclectic culture. . . .
Readers will understand that home can be more than the physical
place you live, and that people who make you feel at home can come
into your life unexpectedly.”
—The Horn Book
"Heartfelt, tender, and so utterly real. I'd live in this book
forever if I could."
—Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of Simon vs. the Homo
Sapiens Agenda
“I love this story, and the way it combines the bitter of
adolescence with the sweet of friendship and family. Brewed
together they make a beautiful, memorable book.”
—Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak
“Darius the Great is not just okay—he’s wonderful. A story about
learning who you are, who you want to be in the world, and how
family will always be there, no matter how great the physical or
emotional distance.”
—Sara Farizan, author of If You Could Be Mine
"I've never read a book that so powerfully demonstrates how
connecting with where you come from can illuminate who you are and
help you figure out where you're going. From its deadpan Star Trek
humor to its brilliant examination of mental health, Darius the
Great is Not Okay is a supernova of heart and hope that's sure to
become a classic."
—Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
"A love letter to anyone who has felt uncomfortable in their own
skin and wondered where exactly they belonged. A big-hearted and
marvelous debut."
—Jasmine Warga, author of My Heart and Other Black Holes
“Darius the Great is Not Okay is a total knockout. This story of
identity and friendship—and how one can inform and reveal the
other—will stay with me for a long time. And challenge me too, as a
person and artist, which all great books should do. For its
exploration of male friendship and cultural expectations alone,
Adib Khorram’s lovely debut should be required reading.”
—John Corey Whaley, award-winning author of Highly Illogical
Behavior
"Prepare to fall hard for Darius. His voice will grab you
instantly, with sharp humor and tender growing up moments, and
won't let go until the very last page. This is openhearted
storytelling at its best."
—Arvin Ahmadi, author of Down and Across
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