yapha 's review for:

Mission Mumbai: A Novel of Sacred Cows, Snakes, and Stolen Toilets by Mahtab Narsimhan

4.0

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Dylan and Rohit have been best friends since Rohit moved to New York from India three years before. Rohit and his parents are heading back to Mumbai for a family wedding and although Rohit would rather stay in New York with Dylan, Dylan manages to get himself invited to along instead. Dylan is desperate to escape his family. His very wealthy parents have time for everything but him and his father is clearly disappointed that Dylan is into photography and fantasy books instead of sports like he was. To Rohit, whose parents are much less well off, it looks like Dylan has everything. The two friends find themselves at odds for the first time, as each has family issues that he doesn't want to talk to the other about. Set among the monsoons and traffic of Mumbai, readers will be drawn into this colorful description of Indian culture and foods. it is made accessible through the universal issues of friendship, family, and the need to feel like you belong. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.