Zomorod Yousefzadeh

Zomorod is a strong young woman, though she is somewhat immature as the novel opens. She is coping with the lack of stability in her life. Her family has moved several times, including moves from Iran to California, back to Iran, and back to California. She believes this is not typical, and she feels unstable because of it. Zomorod is kind and thoughtful, evidenced by the way she acts and reacts with people. She is confused and frightened when people begin to express their hatred for Iranians. Someone leaves a dead hamster and a hate note at Zomorod's front door. While this shocks Zomorod, she quickly gets rid of the hamster and the note before her parents have a chance to see it.

By the time the family is preparing to move back to Iran, Zomorod is terrified that she is going to be living in a...