Reviews

Quick Summary: Great character development, realistic characters who dealt with complex issues, strong family unit with just the right amount of conflict faced, relevant depiction of current social issues
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes

katiegrrrl's review against another edition

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4.0

I found the main character a little tough to like. I understand that being different was really hard on her but she was treated to people she cared about bad.

mbrandmaier's review against another edition

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4.0

Indian-American Lekha lives in small-town Michigan and is so tired of not blending in with all the kids around her. Many of her classmates and even some teachers are insensitive, while others are downright cruel towards her. Lekha mostly is silent and unable to stand up for herself in response to the comments and cruelty. When a new girl arrives in town, Lekha begins to take baby steps towards standing up for herself. The descriptions of the meals made me very, very hungry.

ironspinesally's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny inspiring tense 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

jshettel's review against another edition

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4.0

Charming middle grade fiction about fitting in vs belonging.

sbojo32's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed this book, but there were parts of it that were quite frustrating. Lekha is mild-mannered and takes everything that is thrown at her. She is teased because she is Indian-American and she doesn't stand up for herself. This is definitely understandable, but then she doesn't fully want to accept her culture at home either. She's caught between trying to fit in and trying to embrace her culture. When another Indian-American family moves to her neighborhood, Lekha makes her own assumptions (and doesn't realize she's just like the ones making fun of her!).

There are some weird threads left hanging (her friends in Detroit that make appearances but don't really go anywhere) and Lekha's parents, who are so overprotective they won't use a microwave but let her have a sleepover with a boy?! I also didn't quite buy Lekha's sudden change of heart to stand up for herself. I liked it, and I think many young girls will relate, but it seemed too convenient.

farzi_q_pickle's review against another edition

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4.0

3.8 stars. Young adult fiction in an entertaining but not particularly in a very surprising way. But it’s a book that would have meant so much to me to have been able to read when I was growing up…

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