Scan barcode
michellestoll's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a cute middle grade story about 2 girls - one from Texas, one from Pakistan - becoming friends despite social class and language barriers. The characters and story were enjoyable, though the writing felt a little out of place sometimes; mostly it sounds like the voice of an 11 year old girl, but then there would be word choice or phrasing that felt out of character. It wasn't a big deal, but enough to knock me out of the story at times.
Overall I enjoyed the book, enjoyed learning more about Pakistan through the eyes of a servant girl and a wealthy outsider, and would generally recommend this book.
Overall I enjoyed the book, enjoyed learning more about Pakistan through the eyes of a servant girl and a wealthy outsider, and would generally recommend this book.
linnym55's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
syntaxx's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Picked up the audio book version from the library to use for my The StoryGraph Reads the World 2023 - Pakistan.
Fantastic MG fiction! I learned a lot about Pakistan and thought the duel narration was very well executed.
Fantastic MG fiction! I learned a lot about Pakistan and thought the duel narration was very well executed.
caitlink's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
librariann's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this awhile ago and found it charming and very accessible to middle graders.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
What I love about this is that although Mimi, who is American born, but whose mother was born in Pakistan, she only remain all that ignorant for long. True, she never quite gets that her t-shirt slogans are not funny to anyone but her, but she does begin to get used to Karachi and the rules of the country.
At that age, it is very easy to just feel above the local people, because America is so much better. But by pulling back, and seeing the world in another way, she get to see the good things that Pakistan has to offer.
And while she gets better at Urdo, she also teaches Sakina, the daughter of the cook, who works in the house of her grandmother, English. Sakina wants to go to school, and she needs to k now English to get a scholarship.
It never occurs to Mimi that some children can't go to school.
This is a delightful tale, and doesn't have the usual tropes of underling anything. It is very honest and fun story, and one you can't put down.
At that age, it is very easy to just feel above the local people, because America is so much better. But by pulling back, and seeing the world in another way, she get to see the good things that Pakistan has to offer.
And while she gets better at Urdo, she also teaches Sakina, the daughter of the cook, who works in the house of her grandmother, English. Sakina wants to go to school, and she needs to k now English to get a scholarship.
It never occurs to Mimi that some children can't go to school.
This is a delightful tale, and doesn't have the usual tropes of underling anything. It is very honest and fun story, and one you can't put down.
speterson47's review against another edition
5.0
An unlikely friendship between two girl that live thousands of miles apart. One from Pakistan and One from the United States. Learning about each other and the different things that cause them to ask questions and struggle in life. A wonderful story and I think all readers can find something to relate to. So many questions are asked and answered in this book with so many likeable characters. Highly recommend.
lostinausten's review against another edition
3.0
A story about two unlikely friends forming a lasting bond.
This book was fine enough. It explores those who have money and those who have very little money living in Pakistan. A young girl from Texas visits her rich relatives in Pakistan and befriends the young cook of the house. This leads them on a journey of friendship.
The book deals with some real issues like poverty, violence, abandonment, politics and the abuse of power, etc. The book handles all of these issues almost too lightly and just feels very surface level. It left me wanting more.
This book was fine enough. It explores those who have money and those who have very little money living in Pakistan. A young girl from Texas visits her rich relatives in Pakistan and befriends the young cook of the house. This leads them on a journey of friendship.
The book deals with some real issues like poverty, violence, abandonment, politics and the abuse of power, etc. The book handles all of these issues almost too lightly and just feels very surface level. It left me wanting more.
yapha's review against another edition
5.0
Mimi gets way more than she expected when she spends her summer vacation in Karachi. Mimi's mother has not been back to visit her own parents in Pakistan since before Mimi was born, and now they are spending six weeks at what feels like an opulent mansion compared to their apartment in Houston. Sakina is the same age as Mimi, but her life couldn't be more different. She and her father work in Mimi's grandparents' kitchen. Thrown together by circumstance, the two girls learn that they have more in common than they would have thought, and that each can help the other in so many ways. Told in alternating chapters, this is a heart-warming exploration of family, friendship, and friends who become like family. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss