I really, really wanted to love Darius. I had read raving reviews and bought it for the library early this year and already started it twice. I was happy to have a new book to offer kids who were looking for a Persian character. I figured this round was going to give me the excuse to finally get around to finishing it. And I did. And it was okay.
What I liked about it was that it took me to Iran as a tourist and described interesting places I didn't know about. It brought me a little way into Persian culture and explained some points of view and customs I knew little about. I liked that the story had characters living with depression rather than the story being about overcoming depression. It took me a little too far into understanding a good cup of tea (I prefer coffee). In the end, though, I was only left with, "That was okay" (insert shrug here). One of my reader colleagues here really felt Darius was just a little to whiney. I just wasn't bowled over. Perhaps I had set my expectations too high. I simply had enjoyed the characters and story more in Far From the Tree. Westmin votes for Far From the Tree.
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