Sohrab calls him Darioush-the original Persian version of his name-and Darius has never felt more like himself than he does now that he's Darioush to Sohrab. Darius has never had a true friend before, but now he's spending his days with Sohrab playing soccer, eating rosewater ice cream, and sitting together for hours in their special place, a rooftop overlookng the Yazdi skyline. And he understands that sometimes, best friends don't have to talk. He gets Darius an Iranian National Football Team jersey that makes him feel like a True Persian for the first time. Sohrab makes sure people speak English so Darius can understand what's going on.

And he meets Sohrab, the boy next door who changes everything. In Iran, he gets to know his ailing but still formitable grandfather, his loving grandmother, and the rest of his mom's family for the first time. He's about to take his first-ever trip to Iran, and it's pretty overwhelming-especially when he's also dealing with clinical depression, a disapproving dad, and a chronically anemic social life. Summary: Darius thinks that he will never be enough, in America and in Iran.ĭarius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. Publisher Information: New York, NY: Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, 2017 Sohrab calls him Darioush-the original Persian version of his name-and Darius has never felt more like himself than he does now that he’s Darioush to Sohrab.Īdib Khorram’s brilliant debut is for anyone who’s ever felt not good enough-then met a friend who makes them feel so much better than okay.Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram Soon, they’re spending their days together, playing soccer, eating faludeh, and talking for hours on a secret rooftop overlooking the city’s skyline. Then Darius meets Sohrab, the boy next door, and everything changes. His clinical depression doesn’t exactly help matters, and trying to explain his medication to his grandparents only makes things harder. He’s a Fractional Persian-half, his mom’s side-and his first-ever trip to Iran is about to change his life.ĭarius has never really fit in at home, and he’s sure things are going to be the same in Iran. the Homo Sapiens Agendaĭarius Kellner speaks better Klingon than Farsi, and he knows more about Hobbit social cues than Persian ones. Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of Simon vs. I’d live in this book forever if I could.”

Hilarious and heartbreaking, this unforgettable debut introduces a brilliant new voice in contemporary YA. Darius doesn't think he'll ever be enough, in America or in Iran.

Darius the great is not okay book 2