Everything Sad Is Untrue

Everything Sad Is Untrue

• Genre: Fiction; Autobiographical novel
• Originally Published: 2020
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 800L; Grades 3-7
• Structure/Length: Divided into chapters; approximately 368 pages; Approximately 9 hours, 10 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel is a semi-autobiographical account of the author's experiences as an Iranian refugee in the United States. The central conflict revolves around the protagonist's journey as he grapples with his identity, culture shock, and the challenges of fitting into a new country while maintaining his Persian heritage. The narrative blends humor, folklore, and the author's personal history to explore themes of immigration, identity, and the power of storytelling.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of immigration; cultural identity; displacement; domestic abuse

Daniel Nayeri

• Bio: Born in Iran; author, publisher, and entrepreneur; known for his work in children's and young adult literature; Everything Sad is Untrue is a deeply personal work that draws from his own experiences as an immigrant and refugee; Nayeri has received recognition for his contributions to literature that shed light on the immigrant experience and cultural identity; co-founder of Odd Dot, a children's book publishing company
• Other Works: The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams (2023); Another series (2009-2012); Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow: Four Novellas (2015); The Elixir Fixers: Sasha and Puck series (2019-2020)
• Awards: Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature (2021)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Storytelling as a Way of Remembering and Surviving
• Hope and Anticipation in Trying Times
• The Experience of Immigrant Children and Attempts to Connect

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Gain an understanding of the literary and religious contexts that inform narrator Daniel’s experience of Persian myths and legends and shape the narrative structure of Everything Sad Is Untrue.
• Study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Storytelling as a Way of Remembering and Surviving and The Experience of Immigrant Children and Attempts to Connect.
• Analyze and evaluate plot details to explore the themes of Storytelling as a Way of Remembering and Surviving, Hope and Anticipation in Trying Times, and The Experience of Immigrant Children and Attempts to Connect through long response essay prompts.