Everything Sad is Untrue (A True Story)

This story is a genuine, personal account of a young boy’s family life in Iran. It weaves Persian storytelling and cultural elements to recount Daniel Nayeri’s childhood in Iran, his experience becoming a refugee, and his immigration to the United States. This young adult novel is suitable for upper-intermediate and secondary students. It offers a rich literary experience, highlighting how storytelling can weave different contexts, places, times, history, and cultures. In the classroom, students may be encouraged to analyze the craft of storytelling, understand storytelling from another culture, and reflect on the refugee and immigrant experience.