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Just a Hat
Action-packed, humorous, and bittersweet, this 1970s-era coming-of-age novel is more relevant than ever--exploring how a second-generation immigrant kid in a new hometown must navigate bullying, unexpected friendships, and the struggle of keeping both feet firmly planted in two very different cultures.
It's 1979, and thirteen-year-old Joseph Nissan can't help but notice that small-town Texas has something in common with Revolution-era Iran: an absence of fellow Jews. And in such a small town it seems obvious that a brown kid like him was bound to make friends with Latinos--which is a plus, since his new buds, the Ybarra twins, have his back. But when the Iran hostage crisis, two neighborhood bullies, and the local reverend's beautiful daughter put him in all sorts of danger, Joseph must find new ways to cope at home and at school.
As he struggles to trust others and stay true to himself, a fiercely guarded family secret keeps his father at a distance, and even his piano teacher, Miss Eleanor--who is like a grandmother to him--can't always protect him. But Joseph is not alone, and with a little help from his friends he finds the courage to confront his fears and discovers he can inspire others to find their courage, too.
Just a Hat is an authentically one-of-a-kind YA debut that fuses the humor of Firoozeh Dumas's Funny in Farsi with the poignancy of Daniel Nayeri's Everything Sad Is Untrue.
It's 1979, and thirteen-year-old Joseph Nissan can't help but notice that small-town Texas has something in common with Revolution-era Iran: an absence of fellow Jews. And in such a small town it seems obvious that a brown kid like him was bound to make friends with Latinos--which is a plus, since his new buds, the Ybarra twins, have his back. But when the Iran hostage crisis, two neighborhood bullies, and the local reverend's beautiful daughter put him in all sorts of danger, Joseph must find new ways to cope at home and at school.
As he struggles to trust others and stay true to himself, a fiercely guarded family secret keeps his father at a distance, and even his piano teacher, Miss Eleanor--who is like a grandmother to him--can't always protect him. But Joseph is not alone, and with a little help from his friends he finds the courage to confront his fears and discovers he can inspire others to find their courage, too.
Just a Hat is an authentically one-of-a-kind YA debut that fuses the humor of Firoozeh Dumas's Funny in Farsi with the poignancy of Daniel Nayeri's Everything Sad Is Untrue.
210 pages, Hardcover
Published July 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 10, 2023
This was a very powerful book.
The setting is a small Texas town in the late 1970’s. Joseph and his parents have lived there for years, without the fact of their Jewish-Persian backgrounds causing much trouble for them. But things are heating up in the Middle East; images of the Iranian hostages are shown constantly on the news, and the Shah is in the U.S. for surgery, which displeases many. People are beginning to look at Joseph and his family as a possible threat, because they resemble the people seen in howling mobs on T.V. shouting hate towards Americans. Does flying under the radar to stay safe mean the Joseph and his parents are cowards? What will the cost of standing up for themselves involve?…
I don’t tear up over most books, but this one hit my heartstrings. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say that the scenes of persecution from Christian neighbors towards the Nissan family, and the stories that Joseph’s father told about why they fled the Middle East had me reaching for the Kleenex.
I’m old enough to remember the Iranian hostage crisis. (Yes, that’s now a subject for historical fiction novels). Everyone tied yellow ribbons around trees, and watched the news every night to see if they were close to release. I was about eight at the time. Now, reading this book as an adult, I thought about Middle Easterners who were here in America during that time, who had been here for years. Raising families, building lives, perhaps even becoming U.S. citizens. How difficult life must have been for them then…
The setting is a small Texas town in the late 1970’s. Joseph and his parents have lived there for years, without the fact of their Jewish-Persian backgrounds causing much trouble for them. But things are heating up in the Middle East; images of the Iranian hostages are shown constantly on the news, and the Shah is in the U.S. for surgery, which displeases many. People are beginning to look at Joseph and his family as a possible threat, because they resemble the people seen in howling mobs on T.V. shouting hate towards Americans. Does flying under the radar to stay safe mean the Joseph and his parents are cowards? What will the cost of standing up for themselves involve?…
I don’t tear up over most books, but this one hit my heartstrings. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say that the scenes of persecution from Christian neighbors towards the Nissan family, and the stories that Joseph’s father told about why they fled the Middle East had me reaching for the Kleenex.
I’m old enough to remember the Iranian hostage crisis. (Yes, that’s now a subject for historical fiction novels). Everyone tied yellow ribbons around trees, and watched the news every night to see if they were close to release. I was about eight at the time. Now, reading this book as an adult, I thought about Middle Easterners who were here in America during that time, who had been here for years. Raising families, building lives, perhaps even becoming U.S. citizens. How difficult life must have been for them then…
April 30, 2024
Just a Hat is the coming-of-age story of a Mizrahi Jew who was born in California and was raised in Texas in the 1970s. It follows Joseph (Youssef) as he learns about his family's history as immigrants, the hardships of his friends, and the typical struggles of love and identity when you're a minority in a small town.
I really enjoyed this book and the perspective it brought to topics that can be difficult to discuss. It tackles religion and differences in religious belief - both in how people can get along regardless and the way differences can lead to prejudice. It shows the struggles of an Iranian Jewish family living in America when the Iran hostage crisis occurs. It tackles history, family trauma, and growing up in a very approachable way.
The characters were all very interesting and they each had very distinct roles to play and arcs to go through. I enjoyed getting to know the dynamics of Joseph's school and the struggles he went through as a result of being not just Jewish, but also Iranian. I also really liked the blend of cultures represented. As a Latina I enjoyed the representation of Latinos here, particularly with Matteo and Mr. Ybarra.
Just a Hat is a great way to learn about other cultures while still getting the usual YA themes readers have always loved in the genre. It has fitting in, standing out, being yourself, learning how to fit into your family, learning how to be yourself in spite of your family, and how to love others even when they don't do a great job of loving you. It has a great message about community and personal growth. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy learning about different cultures/beliefs, love coming-of-age stories, and love stories set in older eras in rural towns.
There ARE some curse words and slurs, because they're being directed towards the main character and his friends for their differences or to highlight aspects of growing up. They're used to portray negative perceptions from other characters, but readers highly uncomfortable with them should be aware of their presence. There are also some tough elements (drugs, family loss), which are largely handled well. I do think Vonda's family aspects could've been given a little more attention since they felt a little glossed over by the end compared to other aspects. It's a fun read with great messages and a beautiful community that feels like it is still growing, but in a positive way.
I really enjoyed this book and the perspective it brought to topics that can be difficult to discuss. It tackles religion and differences in religious belief - both in how people can get along regardless and the way differences can lead to prejudice. It shows the struggles of an Iranian Jewish family living in America when the Iran hostage crisis occurs. It tackles history, family trauma, and growing up in a very approachable way.
The characters were all very interesting and they each had very distinct roles to play and arcs to go through. I enjoyed getting to know the dynamics of Joseph's school and the struggles he went through as a result of being not just Jewish, but also Iranian. I also really liked the blend of cultures represented. As a Latina I enjoyed the representation of Latinos here, particularly with Matteo and Mr. Ybarra.
Just a Hat is a great way to learn about other cultures while still getting the usual YA themes readers have always loved in the genre. It has fitting in, standing out, being yourself, learning how to fit into your family, learning how to be yourself in spite of your family, and how to love others even when they don't do a great job of loving you. It has a great message about community and personal growth. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy learning about different cultures/beliefs, love coming-of-age stories, and love stories set in older eras in rural towns.
There ARE some curse words and slurs, because they're being directed towards the main character and his friends for their differences or to highlight aspects of growing up. They're used to portray negative perceptions from other characters, but readers highly uncomfortable with them should be aware of their presence. There are also some tough elements (drugs, family loss), which are largely handled well. I do think Vonda's family aspects could've been given a little more attention since they felt a little glossed over by the end compared to other aspects. It's a fun read with great messages and a beautiful community that feels like it is still growing, but in a positive way.
March 31, 2024
JUST A HAT tells the story of teenaged Joseph Nissan growing up in a small town in Texas in the late 1970. He gets along with the Latino kids, but struggles to be accepted by his Anglo neighbors, with the exception of his piano teacher, Miss Eleanor. Then, when there's a hostage crisis in Iran at the beginning of the Revolution, everything gets worse for Joseph. The writing is beautiful in JUST A HAT, but I could have used a trigger warning because the depictions of antisemitism and xenophobia experienced by the Iranian-American Jewish main character are so realistic and visceral that it was a bit overwhelming to read sometimes. I had flashbacks to similar incidents during my own schooling.
June 15, 2023
Content Warnings for derogatory language and corporal punishment on page.
November 5, 2023
So many lessons can be learned from this wonderfully written and thoughtfully told book. Needs to be required reading for young and old and in between. One of my favorite reads this year. Says so much in 245 pages.
When is a hat not a hat??????
When is a hat not a hat??????
May 15, 2023
This one started a bit slow for me but I really grew to love the characters and the many layers of complexity to all of the stories. It made me reflect on how multifaceted people are and see a new lens into people. I found myself getting emotional as Joseph and his Baba learned to connect with each other and talk about hard topics.
I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this one!
I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this one!
January 2, 2024
An endearing coming of age story with a protagonist (Youssef) that you are rooting for the entire way. Khubiar’s writing transports you to a town in Texas and deftly portrays the challenges of the Persian Jewish family through Youssef and by extension, other perceived “foreigners”. In doing so, she highlights the many contradictions we have in our country today, but also our capacity to overcome these. There were many great characters that we just get a taste of that I would selfishly love to see entire novels about.
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November 11, 2023Just a Hat shines as a Young Adult reader. It propels one into stricter religious cultures through the insight and struggles of a young boy coming of age in a typical time of discrimination and religious prejudice. It is wonderful, informative, and not preachy, while drawing understanding and empathy for those who live in smaller religious circles than most have experienced. There are a number of endearing characters of different genders and ages with whom a variety of readers may relate. The coming of age struggles are presented in a discreet way while conveying the confusion and difficult decisions of the younger generation and those of differing religious expectations. I was, however, disappointed in the main young female character and would like to see stronger females portrayed regularly in all genres of literature. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Just a Hat.
April 30, 2024
The unique coming-of-age story of a small-town, Persian-American Jewish teen in 1979 Texas.
Just A Hat by Shanah Khubiar is the vivid and evocative coming-of-age story of young Joseph Nissan, a Persian-American Jewish teen whose family had immigrated to the U.S. to escape the Shah of Iran's police. The multi-layered story features Joseph's school life, home life, and life in general in his small Texas town at the start of the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis.
The main character is Youssef (or Joseph as he is known at school) Nissan, a 13-year-old transplant from California, living in Hazel, Texas (somewhere outside Dallas) with his Baba and Maman, who had years earlier fled their home in Iran just ahead of the Shah's police. Besides navigating the emotional minefield of middle school, he's on the cusp of manhood, studying for his Bar Mitzvah and slowly changing his relationship with his parents. He's frequently mistaken for Hispanic; his best friends are Mateo and Roberto Ybarra, and there are no other ethnically Persian families (or Jews) in the entire county, so he is unique to the area's residents.Joseph struggles with wanting to do the same things other kids do and still respect his parents' wishes, especially his father's. Still, their culture and, sometimes, religious restrictions present a conflict. He's quiet, studious, and academically adept. Joseph has a healthy temper that he must constantly work to control. His nemeses in the town are two cousins, Larry and Brian Edmondson, who are revealed later to have their own interesting backstories, who generally make Joseph's life miserable at school and in the neighborhood.
In Texas, football is a common denominator, a great equalizer that brings diverse groups of people together, creating otherwise unlikely allies (and hitting people is considered a legitimate and acceptable practice.) Joseph makes the fortuitous decision to join the football team where he shows a lot of promise. I enjoyed how Joseph observed the "tells" of the two Edmondson cousins that telegraphed their moves on the field and how he used it to even out their relationships with one another.The story includes details of Joseph's culture and religion, with celebrations attended by extended family from across the country or Israel. The discussions of the extensive preparations for his Bar Mitzvah were eye-opening and informative, as was the talk about the political situation back in Iran that had prompted many of the characters to immigrate to the U.S.
Joseph's life is further complicated by his crush on a classmate, the daughter of a disapproving and narrow-minded Christian pastor. Baba, who knows the tough path such an alliance would pose even if the two kids were older, does not support the friendship either. The confrontation between the two fathers is frighteningly intense but Joseph sees a side to Baba that he's never seen before: one that he'd been worried was absent. It was so satisfying to see father and son open up at different times during the story and reveal their secrets to each other. And I loved when Maman revealed that she, too, had hidden depths. (I would have thrown a hissy about those apples.)Ramiz Monsef narrates the Audible audiobook and is one of the best at this craft. His voice is warm and welcoming, using subtle changes in tone, accent, and pitch to differentiate this broad cast of characters that include male, female, young, old, and native English, Spanish, and Farsi speakers. The production is just great.
With its wonderfully relatable characters and unique coming-of-age story, I recommend JUST A HAT to readers of young adult fiction.
October 6, 2023
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Joseph was born in California, but is now getting ready to enter the 8th grade in Texas in 1978. His parents fled Iran when things became difficult; his cousin Shahla's parents were both killed in a car bombing. Joseph is good friends with neighbors Mateo and Roberto Ybarra, but often comes under attack by neighborhood bullies because he wears a kippah in accordance with his Jewish culture. He has a very close relationship with Miss Eleanor (or LaLa), a grandmotherly older lady who gives piano lessons. He gets groceries for her, helps around the house, and keeps her company, and in exchange, she gives him piano lessons. When he finally retaliates against the hoodlums who are bedeviling him by punching one of them at the store, the police are called. He isn't in trouble with the law, but his father punishes him for his act of violence by beating him, in true 1970s parental fashion. When approached by the football coach to play, Joseph seizes the opportunity, and is soon a talented player. He has a tentative relationship with a girl he thinks is cute, Vonda, but the two recognize that their relationship has no future because of the differences in their religions (she's Baptist) and the objections of their parents. Joseph has his Bar Mitzvah, his father takes flying lessons, and life goes on, but when the Shah of Iran comes to the US for cancer treatments, his mother is upset. Things get worse when the Iranian Hostage Crisis takes place and people in the small Texas town start to turn against the family. When the police question Joseph about a local drug distribution problem, will his knowledge get him in trouble, or put his family in a better position?
I haven't seen anything about the plight of Iranian Americans in the US during this horrible time in the 1970s, with the exception of Dumas' It Ain't So Awful, Falafel, and since Joseph's family was also Jewish, this was quite interesting. The father talks frequently about sending Joseph and his mother to live in Israel for safety. The Jewish diaspora was wide spread, and I forget about that until books like this or Behar's Letters from Cuba remind me.
Joseph's experiences are framed in a standard school year, and his relationships with family and friends, his testing of romantic waters, his football and basketball careers, and his experiences with bullied and racism are all framed on that timeline. The chapters have the names of hats, and the format is more anecdotal. The lyrical and introspective quality of the prose made this seem more like a books for adults looking back with nostalgia at past days. The content is middle grade appropriate, although there are several instances where racial and gender slurs common in the 1970s by now forbidden are used.
Readers who want a deeper look into one middle grade characters life experiences that are informed by his Jewish culture and faith will find this an interesting read to pair with Freedman's My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, Garcia's I Wanna Be Your Shoebox, Nockowitz' The Prince of Steel Pier, and ben Izzy's Dreidel's on the Brain.
Joseph was born in California, but is now getting ready to enter the 8th grade in Texas in 1978. His parents fled Iran when things became difficult; his cousin Shahla's parents were both killed in a car bombing. Joseph is good friends with neighbors Mateo and Roberto Ybarra, but often comes under attack by neighborhood bullies because he wears a kippah in accordance with his Jewish culture. He has a very close relationship with Miss Eleanor (or LaLa), a grandmotherly older lady who gives piano lessons. He gets groceries for her, helps around the house, and keeps her company, and in exchange, she gives him piano lessons. When he finally retaliates against the hoodlums who are bedeviling him by punching one of them at the store, the police are called. He isn't in trouble with the law, but his father punishes him for his act of violence by beating him, in true 1970s parental fashion. When approached by the football coach to play, Joseph seizes the opportunity, and is soon a talented player. He has a tentative relationship with a girl he thinks is cute, Vonda, but the two recognize that their relationship has no future because of the differences in their religions (she's Baptist) and the objections of their parents. Joseph has his Bar Mitzvah, his father takes flying lessons, and life goes on, but when the Shah of Iran comes to the US for cancer treatments, his mother is upset. Things get worse when the Iranian Hostage Crisis takes place and people in the small Texas town start to turn against the family. When the police question Joseph about a local drug distribution problem, will his knowledge get him in trouble, or put his family in a better position?
I haven't seen anything about the plight of Iranian Americans in the US during this horrible time in the 1970s, with the exception of Dumas' It Ain't So Awful, Falafel, and since Joseph's family was also Jewish, this was quite interesting. The father talks frequently about sending Joseph and his mother to live in Israel for safety. The Jewish diaspora was wide spread, and I forget about that until books like this or Behar's Letters from Cuba remind me.
Joseph's experiences are framed in a standard school year, and his relationships with family and friends, his testing of romantic waters, his football and basketball careers, and his experiences with bullied and racism are all framed on that timeline. The chapters have the names of hats, and the format is more anecdotal. The lyrical and introspective quality of the prose made this seem more like a books for adults looking back with nostalgia at past days. The content is middle grade appropriate, although there are several instances where racial and gender slurs common in the 1970s by now forbidden are used.
Readers who want a deeper look into one middle grade characters life experiences that are informed by his Jewish culture and faith will find this an interesting read to pair with Freedman's My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, Garcia's I Wanna Be Your Shoebox, Nockowitz' The Prince of Steel Pier, and ben Izzy's Dreidel's on the Brain.
May 1, 2024
JUST A HAT is a compelling immigrant coming of age story which puts the reader into the hat, as it were, of Joseph as he navigates life in a small Texas town in 1979.
Joseph felt like he was translating again. He was sorting through what was Iranian, what was Jewish, what was American, and what was Texan. To make sense of what people were doing. Did every kid have to do this? To figure out the world around him, against who he is, where he was born, and where his parents were born. Probably not.
(Punctuation is mine. Pulling quotes from audio books is a struggle!)
Other than the absence of modern technology (Joseph’s family doesn’t even own a TV!), JUST A HAT could easily be set today:
Teenagers trying to find their place in society.
Racial and cultural clashes.
Bullies and bigots haven’t really changed in forty plus years.
Characters:
JUST A HAT has a strong lead character in Joseph. I may not have any similarities with a 13-year-old Jewish boy, but I certainly empathized with Joseph throughout the book. Some scenes which really stand out for me are when Joseph is playing the piano for Miss Eleanor, their neighbor, or when he’s riding his dirt bike with his friends. Joseph’s connection with his cousin Shahla is touching. While they are cousins, their relationship is closer to that of siblings. Their weekly phone calls and time spent together during holidays are tender reminders of more innocent times (and long distance phone bills!). It’s Joseph’s relationship with his father that absolutely tugged at my emotions. I was grateful to see how that relationship progressed by the end of the novel.
The secondary characters are fully formed and gratifying. I adored Miss Eleanor and her teaching Joseph not just the piano but also southern hospitality. I cherished Mr. Ybarra and the other neighbors who showed up to protect Joseph and his mother when the town bigots threaten the family. I even grew to appreciate Larry and Brian, Joseph’s bullies.
Writing:
The synopsis above does a great job of summing up my feelings of JUST A HAT – action-packed, humorous, poignant. I’d add a must-read to that list! Khubiar’s writing is conversational and easy to follow. But it also conveys Joseph’s emotions to the reader in such a manner that I could relate to Joseph and the other characters.
Narration:
I truly believe that Ramiz Monsef’s narration enhanced my enjoyment of JUST A HAT. I listened at 1.25 speed and had no difficulties following along with the story. The audio production was fine listening both with headphones and in my car while driving. The different characters have distinct voices. Monsef’s inflections paired with Joseph’s emotions throughout the novel.
Character-driven, with heartfelt scenes of growing up trying to fit into Texas culture, JUST A HAT is the kind of moving story that we can all use these days. Definitely check this one out.
Joseph felt like he was translating again. He was sorting through what was Iranian, what was Jewish, what was American, and what was Texan. To make sense of what people were doing. Did every kid have to do this? To figure out the world around him, against who he is, where he was born, and where his parents were born. Probably not.
(Punctuation is mine. Pulling quotes from audio books is a struggle!)
Other than the absence of modern technology (Joseph’s family doesn’t even own a TV!), JUST A HAT could easily be set today:
Teenagers trying to find their place in society.
Racial and cultural clashes.
Bullies and bigots haven’t really changed in forty plus years.
Characters:
JUST A HAT has a strong lead character in Joseph. I may not have any similarities with a 13-year-old Jewish boy, but I certainly empathized with Joseph throughout the book. Some scenes which really stand out for me are when Joseph is playing the piano for Miss Eleanor, their neighbor, or when he’s riding his dirt bike with his friends. Joseph’s connection with his cousin Shahla is touching. While they are cousins, their relationship is closer to that of siblings. Their weekly phone calls and time spent together during holidays are tender reminders of more innocent times (and long distance phone bills!). It’s Joseph’s relationship with his father that absolutely tugged at my emotions. I was grateful to see how that relationship progressed by the end of the novel.
The secondary characters are fully formed and gratifying. I adored Miss Eleanor and her teaching Joseph not just the piano but also southern hospitality. I cherished Mr. Ybarra and the other neighbors who showed up to protect Joseph and his mother when the town bigots threaten the family. I even grew to appreciate Larry and Brian, Joseph’s bullies.
Writing:
The synopsis above does a great job of summing up my feelings of JUST A HAT – action-packed, humorous, poignant. I’d add a must-read to that list! Khubiar’s writing is conversational and easy to follow. But it also conveys Joseph’s emotions to the reader in such a manner that I could relate to Joseph and the other characters.
Narration:
I truly believe that Ramiz Monsef’s narration enhanced my enjoyment of JUST A HAT. I listened at 1.25 speed and had no difficulties following along with the story. The audio production was fine listening both with headphones and in my car while driving. The different characters have distinct voices. Monsef’s inflections paired with Joseph’s emotions throughout the novel.
Character-driven, with heartfelt scenes of growing up trying to fit into Texas culture, JUST A HAT is the kind of moving story that we can all use these days. Definitely check this one out.
April 30, 2024
"Some things have to end before new things begin."
Joseph has never been to Iran, the country his parents fled before his birth before they settled in a small Texas town. He doesn't understand why they had to leave the Persian Jewish community in California, or why they couldn't live with his mother's family in Israel. In just a few weeks, Joseph will become a Jewish man yet he struggles with upholding his family's traditions while meeting the expectations of his American school. The year is 1979 and Joseph chafes under his Baba's non-confrontational nature, especially when faced with bullies and casual daily prejudice. But his piano teacher and neighbor LaLa reminds him not to judge his father so harshly, that he can't understand his parents' burdens yet. One day, sooner than Joseph might think, he will.
"You can't unknow what you know even if other people don't know you know."
As someone who grew up in a small Texas town in the 90s and 00s, I saw first-hand the prejudice that people carried after the 9-11 attacks. I remember people's fear of Muslims in general and the lack of understanding of the different cultures that practiced the Islamic faith. I remember the way kids at my school were ridiculed or thought strange for fasting during Ramadan. I didn't fully understand at the time, seeing things through the lens of a white Christian girl. Like many of my generation, we still saw "through a glass darkly," but I have often thought of this as I've befriended people of other faiths and ethnicities throughout the world. While my experience was different from Joseph's, author Shanah Khubiar truly made me reflect and remember. And it reminds me why I resolved to raise my children differently, to practice kindness and seek understanding.
"Christians were a puzzle. If they were like Lala, the Ybarras, and Vonda, they were good-hearted, sensible, friendly people. If they were like this man, they were angry people obsessed with blood."
Just A Hat is the kind of novel I could read over and over again, and still find new things to reflect on. Khubiar's philosophical roots show in between the seemingly mundane aspects of Joseph's story. I love Middle-Grade fiction for the same reason, as we see through the eyes of a child developing a greater understanding of the world around them and how they fit into it. Khubiar's story is wholly unique as it explores the experiences of a Persian-Jewish boy in the late 70s, yet I found Joseph's story extremely poignant and relevant today. I can't wait to share this novel with my son in the next few years and look forward to revisiting this in my personal library again and again. And hope that I, too, can "soak up" these good words.
"...the way to hear good words is to soak them up... Let words change us and make us better people."
Joseph has never been to Iran, the country his parents fled before his birth before they settled in a small Texas town. He doesn't understand why they had to leave the Persian Jewish community in California, or why they couldn't live with his mother's family in Israel. In just a few weeks, Joseph will become a Jewish man yet he struggles with upholding his family's traditions while meeting the expectations of his American school. The year is 1979 and Joseph chafes under his Baba's non-confrontational nature, especially when faced with bullies and casual daily prejudice. But his piano teacher and neighbor LaLa reminds him not to judge his father so harshly, that he can't understand his parents' burdens yet. One day, sooner than Joseph might think, he will.
"You can't unknow what you know even if other people don't know you know."
As someone who grew up in a small Texas town in the 90s and 00s, I saw first-hand the prejudice that people carried after the 9-11 attacks. I remember people's fear of Muslims in general and the lack of understanding of the different cultures that practiced the Islamic faith. I remember the way kids at my school were ridiculed or thought strange for fasting during Ramadan. I didn't fully understand at the time, seeing things through the lens of a white Christian girl. Like many of my generation, we still saw "through a glass darkly," but I have often thought of this as I've befriended people of other faiths and ethnicities throughout the world. While my experience was different from Joseph's, author Shanah Khubiar truly made me reflect and remember. And it reminds me why I resolved to raise my children differently, to practice kindness and seek understanding.
"Christians were a puzzle. If they were like Lala, the Ybarras, and Vonda, they were good-hearted, sensible, friendly people. If they were like this man, they were angry people obsessed with blood."
Just A Hat is the kind of novel I could read over and over again, and still find new things to reflect on. Khubiar's philosophical roots show in between the seemingly mundane aspects of Joseph's story. I love Middle-Grade fiction for the same reason, as we see through the eyes of a child developing a greater understanding of the world around them and how they fit into it. Khubiar's story is wholly unique as it explores the experiences of a Persian-Jewish boy in the late 70s, yet I found Joseph's story extremely poignant and relevant today. I can't wait to share this novel with my son in the next few years and look forward to revisiting this in my personal library again and again. And hope that I, too, can "soak up" these good words.
"...the way to hear good words is to soak them up... Let words change us and make us better people."
May 6, 2024
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW. This book. I don’t know where to begin my gushing about Just a Hat, which is quite possibly my favorite book of the year so far. Maybe I start with 1978, Hazel, Texas.
Small-town Texas. 1978 and every other year of our Lord. Sigh.
I enjoyed returning to the seventies and recalling things like biking to the 7-11 and friends who joined resources wondering, “what would they buy with their pooled seventy-eight cents?” I remember the expense of a long-distance phone call and not having a quick and easy way to communicate with my parents if my plans changed or I ran into trouble. But if not for these little reminders the author dropped along the way, the novel could very well be set in current times. The narrow-mindedness of ill-informed folks and their prejudices, stereotyping, and anger and fear of anyone who is “other” sadly persists in small-town Texas and beyond.
“Rage. Control. RAGE.”
Author Shanah Khubiar has written some magnificent characters who just pop from the page. The emotions of the main character, nearly-thirteen-year-old Joseph, are palpable. As he tries to take control and adhere to his father’s teachings, Joseph learns to channel his anger into throwing a football, and here again, Khubiar slides in a reality of pretty much any year in Texas: football is king and often times, is the great equalizer.
Kids will love that there are curse words in other languages (Hebrew & Arabic & Farsi), and those reading with their ears will learn the correct pronunciations. To that point -- the author doesn’t shy away from using all the horrible, derogatory terms that ignorant people used…and continue to use. Hate words. I think it’s the right choice to include them because it lends authenticity to the story and the shock of hearing them reminds the reader how powerful words are, then suggests:
“Let words change us and make us better people.”
The audiobook narration is outstanding, and Ramiz Monsef’s performance perfectly complements Khubiar’s writing. Hearing Monsef voice the characters and pronounce words that were unfamiliar to me added an additional layer of realism to Just a Hat and made the story unforgettable. Pacing was perfect and I listened at 1x speed. Top-notch recording quality, too. Blackstone Audio never disappoints.
I highly recommend Just a Hat to readers of all ages because it’s not only a well-written, entertaining story that’s colored with humor and heartbreak, but it’s also a reminder that we must continue fighting the same battles to overcome hate, prejudice, and biases that persist.
This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
Small-town Texas. 1978 and every other year of our Lord. Sigh.
I enjoyed returning to the seventies and recalling things like biking to the 7-11 and friends who joined resources wondering, “what would they buy with their pooled seventy-eight cents?” I remember the expense of a long-distance phone call and not having a quick and easy way to communicate with my parents if my plans changed or I ran into trouble. But if not for these little reminders the author dropped along the way, the novel could very well be set in current times. The narrow-mindedness of ill-informed folks and their prejudices, stereotyping, and anger and fear of anyone who is “other” sadly persists in small-town Texas and beyond.
“Rage. Control. RAGE.”
Author Shanah Khubiar has written some magnificent characters who just pop from the page. The emotions of the main character, nearly-thirteen-year-old Joseph, are palpable. As he tries to take control and adhere to his father’s teachings, Joseph learns to channel his anger into throwing a football, and here again, Khubiar slides in a reality of pretty much any year in Texas: football is king and often times, is the great equalizer.
Kids will love that there are curse words in other languages (Hebrew & Arabic & Farsi), and those reading with their ears will learn the correct pronunciations. To that point -- the author doesn’t shy away from using all the horrible, derogatory terms that ignorant people used…and continue to use. Hate words. I think it’s the right choice to include them because it lends authenticity to the story and the shock of hearing them reminds the reader how powerful words are, then suggests:
“Let words change us and make us better people.”
The audiobook narration is outstanding, and Ramiz Monsef’s performance perfectly complements Khubiar’s writing. Hearing Monsef voice the characters and pronounce words that were unfamiliar to me added an additional layer of realism to Just a Hat and made the story unforgettable. Pacing was perfect and I listened at 1x speed. Top-notch recording quality, too. Blackstone Audio never disappoints.
I highly recommend Just a Hat to readers of all ages because it’s not only a well-written, entertaining story that’s colored with humor and heartbreak, but it’s also a reminder that we must continue fighting the same battles to overcome hate, prejudice, and biases that persist.
This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
April 28, 2024
Shanah Khubiar's new young adult novel, Just a Hat is a brilliant, sometimes discomfiting, portrayal of what it's like to be "other" in America.
Set in the Texas of the late 1970s, with the Iran hostage crisis as it's background, this story introduces us to teenaged Joseph (Youssef) Nissan, the only Jewish-Iranian boy in his class. We walk with him as he navigates the cultural differences he experiences – he's brown skinned, so gets along with the Latino boys, especially Roberto and Mateo who are both friends and defenders, but he's not Latino. He's Persian. He's a piano student but practicing on Shabat is considered "work" and therefore disallowed. And then there's the whole thing about not being allowed to touch girls, even casually. It's a lot to handle when you've got feet in different worlds – the secular world at large, and the closer, religious world of his family.
As someone who is not Jewish, but sort of Jewish-adjacent (my stepfather was Jewish, and his mother, my Bubbie, was a special person in my life) I found the glimpses of Iranian Jewish traditions particularly interesting. I'm familiar with eastern-European (Ashkenazi) traditions, and have been recently learning more about Iberian (Sephardic) traditions, but it's my understanding that most Iranian Jews are actually Mizrahi, and the specifics were new to me.
What I loved was the relationship Joseph had with Miss Eleanor – LaLa – the elderly piano teacher whom he helps out by buying groceries and other household tasks. I also appreciated that Joseph and his Baba – his father – managed to work through family history and family secrets and end up with a closer relationship after tackling difficult subjects.
The title can be taken literally – the different hats Joseph wears include his kippah (yarmulke) and his football helmet. But it also works as a metaphor, representing the different "hats" we all wear, - the roles we have in life - including those we use in order to hide our true selves for whatever reason.
Overall, I found this to be a very moving story, with interesting characters, and a well-paced coming-of-age plot. It's heartfelt, but it's also full of humor - the kind that comes from real life.
Goes well with: peach sharbet.
Set in the Texas of the late 1970s, with the Iran hostage crisis as it's background, this story introduces us to teenaged Joseph (Youssef) Nissan, the only Jewish-Iranian boy in his class. We walk with him as he navigates the cultural differences he experiences – he's brown skinned, so gets along with the Latino boys, especially Roberto and Mateo who are both friends and defenders, but he's not Latino. He's Persian. He's a piano student but practicing on Shabat is considered "work" and therefore disallowed. And then there's the whole thing about not being allowed to touch girls, even casually. It's a lot to handle when you've got feet in different worlds – the secular world at large, and the closer, religious world of his family.
As someone who is not Jewish, but sort of Jewish-adjacent (my stepfather was Jewish, and his mother, my Bubbie, was a special person in my life) I found the glimpses of Iranian Jewish traditions particularly interesting. I'm familiar with eastern-European (Ashkenazi) traditions, and have been recently learning more about Iberian (Sephardic) traditions, but it's my understanding that most Iranian Jews are actually Mizrahi, and the specifics were new to me.
What I loved was the relationship Joseph had with Miss Eleanor – LaLa – the elderly piano teacher whom he helps out by buying groceries and other household tasks. I also appreciated that Joseph and his Baba – his father – managed to work through family history and family secrets and end up with a closer relationship after tackling difficult subjects.
The title can be taken literally – the different hats Joseph wears include his kippah (yarmulke) and his football helmet. But it also works as a metaphor, representing the different "hats" we all wear, - the roles we have in life - including those we use in order to hide our true selves for whatever reason.
Overall, I found this to be a very moving story, with interesting characters, and a well-paced coming-of-age plot. It's heartfelt, but it's also full of humor - the kind that comes from real life.
Goes well with: peach sharbet.
April 29, 2024
Shanah Khubiar's Just A Hat delivers a unique coming-of-age narrative set in conservative small-town Texas in the late 1970s. The book's strength lies in its vivid descriptions of the community, school activities, and people's interactions, which are brought to life through realistic dialogue. These elements and the characters' relatable emotions make for a powerful reading experience. The book's exploration of the struggle to accept those who are different, a theme as relevant today as it was then, invites readers to empathize with the characters' experiences.
The broad array of characters provides an excellent cross-section of racial and religious backgrounds, making Joseph's journey complex yet poignant. Joseph Nissan is a first-generation American Jew whose parents escaped from Iran with their lives. He is studying for his bar mitzvah, achieving high grades in school, and wanting acceptance. Most of his friends are high achievers, and other students assume he is Mexican. Being kind and helpful to others is one of Joseph’s most endearing qualities. Sadly, it is also the one characteristic that puts him at risk physically and emotionally, causing him to make tough choices.
Readers who want to expand their perspectives on the history and values of people of different ethnicities and religious backgrounds will find Just A Hat an outstanding slice of reality. This story speaks to a broad audience, from young to mature adults. Hat’s off to Shanah Khubiar for showing a path to recognizing bias and accepting differences. Prepare to be intrigued, amused, and deeply moved by the emotional journey this book will take you on.
The broad array of characters provides an excellent cross-section of racial and religious backgrounds, making Joseph's journey complex yet poignant. Joseph Nissan is a first-generation American Jew whose parents escaped from Iran with their lives. He is studying for his bar mitzvah, achieving high grades in school, and wanting acceptance. Most of his friends are high achievers, and other students assume he is Mexican. Being kind and helpful to others is one of Joseph’s most endearing qualities. Sadly, it is also the one characteristic that puts him at risk physically and emotionally, causing him to make tough choices.
Readers who want to expand their perspectives on the history and values of people of different ethnicities and religious backgrounds will find Just A Hat an outstanding slice of reality. This story speaks to a broad audience, from young to mature adults. Hat’s off to Shanah Khubiar for showing a path to recognizing bias and accepting differences. Prepare to be intrigued, amused, and deeply moved by the emotional journey this book will take you on.
October 2, 2023
I had to wait a couple days before I wrote a review. Yes this is an excellent book and story and it’s worth the read just because of that. But it’s also very cerebral and would make a perfect class read aloud or a selection for a book club discussion.
May 15, 2024
Featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours. Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 5.0.
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