The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams

The Island

The Other Side of Truth

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

When the Sea Turned to Silver

Boy Giant

The Ickabog

Red, White, and Whole

At the front of a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls "Daniel") stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But no one believes a word he says. To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and talks about poop too much.

But Khosrou's stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful, and terrifying, from the moment he, his mother, and sister fled Iran in the middle of the night, stretching all the way back to family tales set in the jasmine-scented city of Isfahan, the palaces of semi-ancient kings, and even the land of stories.

We bounce between a school bus of kids armed with paper clip missiles and spitballs, to the heroines and heroes of Kosrou's family's past, who ate pastries that made them weep, and touched carpets woven with precious gems.

Like Scheherazade in a hostile classroom, author Daniel Nayeri weaves a tale of Khosrou trying to save his own life: to stake his claim to the truth. And it is (a true story).

It is Daniel's.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams

Daniel Nayeri, Daniel Miyares, 2023

The Island

John R Bigonette, 2005

The Other Side of Truth

Beverley Naidoo, 2000

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Dung Ho, Joanna Ho, 2021

When the Sea Turned to Silver

Grace Lin, 2016

Boy Giant

Michael Morpurgo, 2019

The Ickabog

J.K. Rowling, 2020

Red, White, and Whole

Rajani Larocca, 2021