Taking Cover: One Girl's Story of Growing Up During the Iranian Revolution

Taking Cover: One Girl's Story of Growing Up During the Iranian Revolution
National Geographic Kids

This coming-of-age memoir, set during the Iranian Revolution, tells the story of a young girl who moves to Tehran from the U.S. and has to adjust to living in a new country, learning a new language, and starting a new school during one of the most turbulent periods in Iran's history. Includes a foreword from best-selling author Firoozeh Dumas.This compelling true story of Nioucha Homayoonfar offers a window into an at-once familiar yet foreign culture. Religion classes are mandatory at her new school. Nioucha has to cover her head and wear robes. Her cousin is captured and tortured after he is caught trying to leave the country. And yet, in midst of so much change and challenge, Nioucha is still just a girl who listens to music and idolizes pop stars. But she has to be careful when Western music is banned and she cannot be seen in public together with her new boyfriend. Will she ever get used to this new way of life? Nioucha's story sheds light on the timely conversation about religious freedom, publishing in time for the 40th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.

Author’s Note

To write my story, I relied upon my personal memories and those of my parents. I have changed the names of all of the individuals in this book, and in some cases, I modified details to protect loved ones.

Note About Language

The narrative includes a crude insult, the word “whore,” which is used to frighten a teenage girl. This offensive word demonstrates part of the hostility the author experienced. It was included in the narrative to keep the authenticity of this true story.

Acknowledgments

My thanks to:

Lori Epstein, for taking a chance on her neighbor and handing my book proposal to the right people.

My wonderful editor, Martha E. Kendall, for her candid input and for always responding to my questions with so much patience and insight.

National Geographic, for providing me this platform.

Sheila M. Trask, for reading my story and telling me it had potential.

Everyone in my creative writing classes, and friends who read my manuscript and gave me their honest opinions about it.

My loving family.

Text Copyright © 2019 Nioucha Homayoonfar

Compilation Copyright © 2019 National Geographic Partners, LLC

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Hardcover ISBN: 9781426333668

Reinforced library binding ISBN: 9781426333675

Ebook ISBN 9781426333682

The publisher would like to thank the following people for their work on this book: Priyanka Lamichhane, senior editor; Julide Dengel, art director and designer; Dawn McFadin, designer; Lori Epstein, photo director; Molly Reid, production editor; and Anne LeongSon and Gus Tello, design production assistants.

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Dedication

To Maman and Baba, for giving me these stories

To Sophie and Sawyer, the loves of my life

To Stew, for always being there

CONTENTS

Cover (#u289a94dd-974f-5993-adcd-9e7440e2c709)

Title Page (#u27d53640-d659-566b-b97f-7cc4060a0675)

Copyright (#uad7cc454-e6eb-511c-9603-4a75e6e261b0)

Dedication (#u1bcdbdd8-5d18-5d26-8e44-20d02e6584f5)

FOREWORD by Firoozeh Dumas (#ueae992c4-07b9-5667-868f-def164186b16)

CHAPTER 1: FURY, 1986 (Part 1) (#uc117524a-5bf0-53a8-9239-88afb0797328)

CHAPTER 2: REVOLUTION, 1979 (#u10f98801-45de-5af7-91b3-f1b6466dae24)

CHAPTER 3: ACTING, 1980 (#u6ae806e4-e64d-5944-b185-ead9b2734335)

CHAPTER 4: RETREAT, Summer 1980 (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER 5: REBELLION, 1980–1981 (#litres_trial_promo)