These days the author is known by her full first name of Shaparak, but I’ve just put Shappi in the title of the post as that’s still what’s printed on this book as it was published in 2009.
Shaparak was born in Iran in the 70s, and her dad was a satirist, which didn’t go down brilliantly with those in charge, hence them ending up in the UK. This autobiography covers that move and the adjustment to life in a foreign country as a child, as well as the problems back home where her extended family still are, and the fact that they might still not be fully safe even in London.
A lot of it is about adjusting to culture, at times the kids adjusting better than the parents and being embarrassed by them, and obviously the difficulty of being seen as different at school.
It’s heart-breaking in places, but told in a way that’s mostly light, just like she’s talking to you to tell her story.
ineke.co.uk 
Anything to add...?