Reha feels like she inhabits two different worlds. At school she is Indian American. She doesn't always fit in with her handmade clothes and her vegetarian lunches. At home she is Indian and follows the customs her parents practiced in India. They came to the U.S. right after they married and then Reha was born. Visits to India and from her Indian relatives keep Reha in touch with the culture and ways of her parents' homeland.
In elementary school the differences between her two worlds weren't as noticeable. She was invited to birthday parties and other celebrations where she felt like everyone else. That changed with the start of eighth grade. The other girls began wearing makeup and shopping at the mall. They talked about boys in a different way and invitations to parties were less frequent.
Just when Reha needs some guidance, her mother falls ill. When it is discovered she has a form of leukemia, Reha's world involves hospital visits, endless chemotherapy, and a mother she barely recognizes. There's a small ray of hope when the doctor mentions a bone marrow transplant, but no one is a match. Reha volunteers only to find that she is only a partial match which leaves her feeling even more helpless that she can't ease her mother's suffering.
Author Rajani LaRocca not only writes books for children and middle grade readers, but also works as a doctor. She brings some of her own Indian American experience to Reha's story. Reha's proud and courageous voice comes through loud and clear in this novel writtten in verse. It is perfect for readers feeling torn between two worlds and searching for a way to fit in.
No comments:
Post a Comment