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brandypainter's review
3.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I enjoyed The Grand Plan to Fix Everything (my thoughts) by Uma Krishnaswami for the way it presented the mixing of cultures and the inevitable struggle a person living in two different ones experiences. I was delighted to learn there would be a sequel and even more delighted when I was able to read an e-galley of The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic from the publisher.
The first book saw Dini struggling to fit into her new world and missing her best friend, Maddie. This sequel finds her back in the US on a visit. Initially she is struggling to reconcile who she now is with this old world and fitting her and Maddie nicely together again. I would have enjoyed it if the story had focused on this a bit more. Dolly has come to town too though and, as with everything Dolly does, she overshadows the other characters. Dini, Maddie, and pretty much everyone else are there to run circles around the circus show that is the movie premiere and Dolly.
I was disappointed in how much of the book focused on one crazy plot twist after another without giving us much insight into the characters or their motivations. It is an entertaining read though and I think readers who enjoyed the first book will want to read this one. Like the first book, it reads very much like a Bollywood movie.
I read an e-galley provided by the publisher, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, via Edelweiss. The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic is available for purchase August 13.
I enjoyed The Grand Plan to Fix Everything (my thoughts) by Uma Krishnaswami for the way it presented the mixing of cultures and the inevitable struggle a person living in two different ones experiences. I was delighted to learn there would be a sequel and even more delighted when I was able to read an e-galley of The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic from the publisher.
The first book saw Dini struggling to fit into her new world and missing her best friend, Maddie. This sequel finds her back in the US on a visit. Initially she is struggling to reconcile who she now is with this old world and fitting her and Maddie nicely together again. I would have enjoyed it if the story had focused on this a bit more. Dolly has come to town too though and, as with everything Dolly does, she overshadows the other characters. Dini, Maddie, and pretty much everyone else are there to run circles around the circus show that is the movie premiere and Dolly.
I was disappointed in how much of the book focused on one crazy plot twist after another without giving us much insight into the characters or their motivations. It is an entertaining read though and I think readers who enjoyed the first book will want to read this one. Like the first book, it reads very much like a Bollywood movie.
I read an e-galley provided by the publisher, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, via Edelweiss. The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic is available for purchase August 13.
annmaries's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't realize this was the second book, but it was still a fun read. It's definitely targeted to a pre-teen demographic, but it was cute. The only jarring note (for me) was that the author chose to write in the present simple instead of the more commonly-utilized past tense. But it was charming, and some places, surprisingly profound. My favorite quote is on page 13:
"But real life, alas, like a badly executed dance, often has pacing problems."
Isn't that the truth?
"But real life, alas, like a badly executed dance, often has pacing problems."
Isn't that the truth?
theshenners's review
5.0
as charming as book 1, with new supporting characters, new complications, and more interconnected stories. the perfect pick-me-up after reading a heavier book. :)
hsquared's review against another edition
3.0
Introduce your middle grade readers to Bollywood, elephants, and rose petal shakes with this sweet, funny, multicultural novel. Dini, the earnest, "slightly heroic" protagonist outplays the adults around her as they prepare for the film festival honoring her Bollywood star friend, Dolly Singh.
jillcd's review against another edition
3.0
A cute book with diverse characters and an unbelievable and funny plot. Grades 3-4 and up
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