Listen in as ten YA authors—some familiar, some new—use their own brand of humor to share their stories about growing up between cultures. Edited by Mitali Perkins, this collection of fiction and nonfiction embraces a mix of stayles as diverse as their authors, from laugh-out-loud funny to wry, ironic, or poignant, in prose, poetry, and comic form. With contributions by Cherry Cheva, Varian Johnson, Naomi Shihab Nye, Mitali Perkins, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Debby Rigaud, Francisco X. Stork, Gene Luen Yang, and David Yoo.
This coming-of-age novel, a Junior Library Guild Selection and Indie Next Book Pick, takes place against the political and military backdrop of modern-day Burma. Narrated by Tu Reh and Chiko, two teen guys on opposing sides of the conflict, Bamboo People explores the nature of violence, power, and prejudice.
When her father leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s family in Calcutta. PW says this book is "an intimate and absorbing drama ... a moving portrait of a rebellious teen who relies on ingenuity rather than charm to prove her worth." Shortlisted for the Massachusetts Book Award.
In this sequel to Extreme American Makeover, Sameera, her parents, cousin Miranda, and the farm lab Jingle move into the White House. Kirkus says, "Sparrow's actions and thoughtful blog posts paint her as a likable character and great role model."
Read more reviews here. Visit Sameera, aka Sparrow, at her very own blog.
The race for the presidency is on, and Sameera's dad is a contender. As the pressure builds, Sameera is forced to choose: Will she hide behind a fake persona or speak up for her true self? PW says, "Sameera is an intelligent, witty and prepossessed heroine ... teens should enjoy this peek at the behind-the-scenes finessing that goes on in modern politics."
Naima must find a way to save her mother's golden bangle -- and fix her father's rickshaw in this Jane Addams Honor Book. Booklist says this "lively, moving book has surprises that continue to the end," Kirkus promises that "Naima's story will be relished by students and teachers alike," and CCBC picks it as a book of the week!
Fifteen-year old Jazz Gardner leaves California for a life-changing summer in an Indian orphanage. Booklist calls it a "warm, romantic story," Teen People picks Monsoon Summer as a "red-hot read," and Guideposts Sweet 16 and Justine Magazine feature it as a top title for teens.
Middle-schooler Sunita Sen can't believe that her hip California Mom is making the whole family go traditional when her grandparents visit from India. "Perkins combines her fresh, unaffected prose with moving bits of Indian poetry and lore, rendering this well-thought out investigation of cultural identity doubly moving ... A funny, honest, and homespun story." -- Publisher's Weekly
