Anticipating Independent Bookstore Day, we’re highlighting one big reason for shopping indie. Your local booksellers and libraries are at the front lines of amplifying books that have been banned. We interviewed author Firoozeh Dumas last October for Banned Book Week and thought she really nailed the problem with book banning: Books are banned out of fear and for the benefit of people who profit from feeding fear. But kids tell Firoozeh that her book makes them laugh and feel better about themselves; teachers tell her the book teaches children to be kind. These are beautiful things. They're brave things.
Read on, and read It Ain't So Awful, Falafel] for some warmth and laughter. It’s a chapter book suitable for readers of all ages.
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The following is transcribed from a a reel first posted to Instagram on October 9, 2025.
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Donna:
Hey, I hope you can hear us above the dogs; there’s a lovely dog park over there. So, I’m here with Firoozeh Dumas...
Firoozeh:
Du-mah, yes! From French 101, yes.
Donna:
And we’re talking about her book, It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel—which is probably one of the best titles in the whole world—and why it was banned in Duval County, Florida. From what I’ve read, Firoozeh, the book was banned basically as an effort to eliminate diverse books from Florida public school bookshelves. But I want you to tell us why we should read your lovely book.
Firoozeh:
Well, first of all, I think people should read whatever they want to read, because it is just one of the greatest pleasures and one of the best soul foods that exists.
And you know, when I was growing up, I went through periods where I was really fascinated by different topics. And for a while, I was really into, like, 18th and 19th-century explorers—like sea explorers—and it never made me want to become a sea explorer. But I was the only kid, like, really aware of scurvy.
So, I think a lot of times books are banned out of some fear that maybe somebody will read this book and be, like, "Gee, I want to be Iranian."
It’s never happened.
But I’ll tell you what will happen, though. This is a really funny book, and kids love it. I get a lot of fan mail because of this book. And kids always tell me that it made them laugh and that it also made them feel better about themselves. And you know, that’s a beautiful thing to hear from readers.
The thing is, if you read this book, you’re not going to be able to hate Iranians. And I think that’s why it was banned. Because right now, we are living in times when fear-mongering is really profitable—it pays for politicians to make sure that you are afraid. And this book makes you actually want to get to know an Iranian. So, I apologize for that!
But that’s the truth. And you know, it’s funny, educators love this book. It’s really popular with teachers because they say that it teaches kids to be kinder. So, I don’t know why Duval County made this decision to ban this book, but it’s a terrible decision. Terrible. And just like my life is richer because I now know about scurvy, I think kids' lives will be richer for knowing the experience of the main character in this book.
Donna:
Thank you so much.
Firoozeh:
And thank you for being an independent bookstore and promoting books and reading. Keep on reading, people! It’s the most radical thing you can do.
Donna:
Keep reading. Thank you.
