Parents' Guide to A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Language

Shirin's polite mom would like her to stop swearing, but she doesn't. Profanity and crude language on most pages, including "f--k," "s--t," "crap,", "dick," "ass," "damn," "hell," "goddamn," "Jesus Christ!" etc. Haters use similar expressions in expressing their prejudice and what they think other people should do.

Violence & Scariness

Shirin and other Muslim kids suffer constant prejudice, bigotry, and threats of violence. In the wake of 9/11, a bunch of bullies attack high-school freshman Shirin, knock her down, and try to rip the hijab from her head; the cops don't arrest them, pretty much tell her she asked for it, and suggest that she might be an abuse victim (because she's religious) and should call Child Protective Services. Her parents have survived terrible hardships and atrocities en route to America. A teen punches his coach.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Sexual banter. Numerous make-out sessions, including one in front of a lot of people, with intense kissing but not much more. In one scene, a teen couple is kissing, she accidentally touches him under his sweater, and they're both so startled it breaks the mood a bit.

Products & Purchases

Occasional mentions of products, such as iPod, Cheerios, Nissan. Also vintage TV shows, such as Matlock. Frequent references to Vogue and fashion designers, such as Alexander McQueen.

Educational Value

Shows what the U.S. was like in the wake of 9/11, emotions and day-to-day realities, especially about prejudice, hatred, and general cluelessness about other people. Lots about Persian culture, breakdancing and its roots, as well as references to books such as Harry Potter. Also bits of Farsi dialogue, translated.

Positive Messages

Strong messages of family, friendship, tolerance, diversity, kindness, and choosing to overcome ignorance -- your own, and other people's. Also the ability of music and shared interest to bring people together.

"The energy was palpable. Music was reverberating against the walls and ceilings, the bass pulsing in my eardrums. In here, people didn't seem to care at all about me; no one looked at me, eyes merely glanced off my face and body as they scanned the room. I didn't know why it suddenly didn't matter what I looked like, why my appearance garnered no reactions. Maybe it was because the self-selecting demographic in here was different. I was surrounded by diverse bodies and faces; I was hearing Spanish in one ear and Chinese in the other. We were white and black and brown brought together by a single interest.

"I loved it.

"Somehow I knew, in that moment, that all that mattered in this particular world was talent. If I were a decent breakdancer, these people would respect me. Here, I could be more than the settings applied to my life by society.

"It was all I'd ever wanted."

Positive Role Models

Shirin and Ocean both have to deal with a lot of pressure, expectations, and stereotyping in their lives, and don't always behave in ways adults would consider wise -- e.g. cutting class, making out in a public spot, getting into verbal and physical fights. But they develop a deep trust and unselfish concern for each other that gets them through a lot of obstacles. Shirin's survivor-striver parents are warm, caring -- and not actively involved in their kids' lives outside the home because they're always working. Her brother Navid and his friends offer wisdom, support, and tough love.