Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and Harper Collin's Children's Books in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Middle Grade/Own Voices
Release Date: February, 2, 2021
Rating: 5/5 stars
Synopsis:
Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked—Reha means “star” and Punam means “moon”—but they are a universe apart.
Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick.
Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life.
Sarah's Review:
"It feels like we've already entered the future, while they only live in the past."
In general, I tend to really enjoy books written in verse. This book was no exception, and is actually one of my favorites. I loved that it was set in 1983, as most of the own voices novels I've read have been set in present day. I think that even though this book is middle grade, the time period and references to pop culture in this book make it easier for a wide variety of readers to enjoy.
I loved the descriptions of Indian culture. The way family is valued, the food, and the description of the clothing was all amazing. However, to counter that, the blatant racism was heartbreaking. I won't give examples to avoid spoilers.
I loved the relationship Reha has with her parents. I think it's amazing that they were pretty open with each other, and I loved seeing the level of care they showed towards each other. This book will leave you shattered, but glue your pieces back together at the same time. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
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