Nayeri was born in Iran, and fled the country with his sister Dina, and their mother, a doctor, after a Fatwa had been issued against her.
[1][2] Nayeri attended Edmond Memorial High School, and New York University, where he studies writing.
[2] Nayeri's printed works include:[5] In 2020, Everything Sad Is Untrue received a Michael L. Printz Award for best book written for teens,[6] and was one of two honorees in the younger readers category for a Walter Dean Myers Award.
[10] Everything Sad Is Untrue was listed as one of the best children's books of 2020 by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Today, and Booklist Editors' Choice.
[11][12][13][14] In 2024, The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams was selected as a Newbery Honor book.