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Only This Beautiful Moment
Abdi Nazemian
Balzer & Bray
Only This Beautiful Moment is an emotionally impactful intergenerational story that explores the meaning of love, family secrets, and discovering who you are. It begins with Moud, a gay teen living in Los Angeles in 2019, whose father Saeed informs him that they will be traveling to Iran to visit his sick grandfather. While there, Moud learns about his culture and family history. Only This Beautiful Moment shifts perspectives between Moud in 2019, his father in 1978, and his grandfather in 1939 delivering the reader a truly beautiful experience.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Homophobia, Gun Violence, Police Brutality, Racism, Sexual Content, Suicide, Drugs & Alcohol
Discussion questions
How are the words of Forough Farrokhzad found under the painting a metaphor for the themes of Only This Beautiful Moment?
Why does Moud find the gay community in Iran so much more authentic than that in America? And why does Shane get angry when he says this?
How could Saeed’s life have been different had he shared his history with Moud?
Why does Saeed say, ‘it’s impossible to build a future when you don’t know the truth of your past’ (p. 176)? Do you agree with him? Why?
Discuss the significance of the title, Only This Beautiful Moment. When do Moud, Saeed and Bobby each experience their beautiful moments?
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Classroom Connections
This could be taught in any ELA course. The writing is beautiful, and it has a great deal of discussion jumping off points for any teacher.
Interview your parent, grandparent, or other relative. Try to find a connection between your experiences and this person. Write a story about these connections and what it says about family.
Abdi Nazemian
As a child, stories meant everything to me. I found myself through books, comic books, films, and television. I feel so lucky that as a grown-up, I get to tell stories. Writing books - and writing and producing movies and television - makes me feel like an eternal child, and I am grateful for every reader and viewer. I am committed to telling diverse stories that reflect the breadth of human experience. I hope you enjoy some of the work, and please feel free to find me on social media to say hello.
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