The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Sattouf, Riad. The Arab of the Future 2: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1984-1985. Metropolitan Books, 2016. First U.S. edition.

The book opens with an introduction to Riad at age six, and opening the directly parallels the opening panel of the first book. Riad's family is still living in Syria where his father is a professor at the university of Damascus. Riad's mother looks after Riad and his younger brother Yahya.

Riad begins attending school in Syria, something he thought he had managed to avoid at the end of the first book. Riad is scared of the principal and his teacher. Corporal punishment and shaming students is common in Riad's school and he is constantly afraid of what will happen to him if he misbehaves or does something wrong.

Riad's father is increasingly focused on becoming wealthy and influential in Syrian society. He works to be closer to his cousin who is a prominent general in the Syrian army in an attempt to gain more influence in society. Riad's father also works to get special privileges from the general's friends.

Riad begins learning to read Arabic and likes the way it sounds. His parents each insist that he will learn to read and write their respective language first. Riad likes learning Aabic more than he likes learning French until he discovers Tintin comics.

Riad's cousin is murdered by her father and brother for getting pregnant out of wedlock. The men in Riad's family attempt to defend them, But Riad's mother insists that Riad's father reports the murder to the police.

Riad, his mother, and his brother travel to France to Visit Riad's maternal grandparents. While in France Riad struggles with his dual identity--being both French and Syrian.

In the closing pages of the work, Riad's family discover's that Riad's cousin's father and brother who had been convicted of murder are free. Their sentences were reduced due to the murder being deemed a crime of honor.