Portada

AMERICAN PLAYGROUND IBD

THE THIEVING MAGPIE
05 / 2025
9798992541700
Inglés

Sinopsis

ItâÇÖs 1971, and 7-year-old Mishel ManoucherianâÇÖs family has packed up their life in Tehran and moved to Los Angeles, launching him headfirst into a disorienting new world of social and schoolyard expectations.áAt once a witty and warm exploration of the immigrant journey and coming of age tale, American Playground illuminates the Iranian American experience through a childâÇÖs unique perspective.Armed with a handful of English words, a fiery mother who uses her biting wit to open doors and inspire fear while shunning all things Amrikayi, and an adventurous dad who clumsily chases the Amrikayi Dream, Mishel tries to crack the code of schoolyard politics that feels equal parts Brady Bunch and Lord of the Flies.His brown skin gets him thrown in with the schoolâÇÖs outcasts, but Mishel wants to run with the Pros - longhaired kids who rule the blacktop in faded LeviâÇÖs and Pro Keds, radiating the casual yet rugged essence of 70âÇÖs California Cool. Desperate for a mentor to unravel this dizzying American life, Mishel recruits Bugs Bunny, the only Amrikayi he trusts. Mishel will do whatever it takes to become Amrikayi. HeâÇÖll have to do it on the only true Amrikayi turf - the playground.Full of heart, humor and insight, American Playground explores the tensions between assimilation and identity, a childâÇÖs desperation to pass as one of many, and the age-old conflict between Bugs Bunny and everyone whoâÇÖs out to 'kill the wabbit.' Bringing a fresh perspective to classic genres, ShokrianâÇÖs writing recalls the honesty and ferocity of classic Los Angeles writers Fante and Bukowski, with a modern immigrantâÇÖs twist.