Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi - OPTIONAL

Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi, 320 pages. Viking, 2018. $18

Language: R (4 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG.

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Scott has Iranian parents who expect a lot out of him and are disappointed when he fails to stick with anything. Scott himself is frustrated with his lack of grit and when his parents are in Iran, Scot heads to D.C. to meet with a professor researching grit. While in D.C., Scott makes friends, has some adventures, and learns a lot about himself. 

This book had a lot of appealing elements - first generation American young adult male with high expectations placed on him going on an epic coming of age adventure - but it never added up to much. None of the characters felt fully fleshed out and the adventure felt unbelievable. The use of crosswords as a symbol and vehicle for the theme was a lovely element that did work well. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher