What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1. *Karina's family are immigrants from India, but both her parents and she herself were born in the United States.
2. *Chris has been Karina's neighbor for as long as she can remember. Even though they have been neighbors forever, they haven't had much contact.
3. *When the other students have teased Karina about her "smell", her body, and/or her culture, Chris has never stood up to them, even though he knows it is wrong to treat her this way.
4. *After Karina's grandfather comes to live with her family, he begins to tutor Chris in math. This situation leads to Karina and Chris forming a friendship.
5. *When Karina, Chris, and Karina's grandfather are emotionally and physically attacked because of the grandfather's race, the two friends learn what it means to stand up for right is right and defend those who need it the most.
What I Thought Of It - FIVE Observations/Reflections:
1. *It is always a thrill to receive a novel from Nancy Paulsen as she certainly knows how to pick stories to published.
2. *I was drawn to both Karina and Chris within the first few chapters. I enjoyed how the story was told from each of their point of views.
3. *The story/plot was strong, necessary, and important. The events in the novel were very timely.
4. *Any story that focuses on young people standing up for what is right and doing the correct things, is a sure-fire winner in my book. Both Karina and Chris were upstanding and admirable characters.
5. *I know that young readers will enjoy the focus on social media, #hash tags, and using the Internet for communication.
Who Should Read It: This would be the perfect novel to start off the 2019/2020 school year as it touches on so many important issues that would lead to great discussion in the classroom. I would say the novel could be used in grades three through six. Thank you Nancy Paulsen for this great novel. Happy Reading!
Rating: 4 STARS out of 5 Stars!
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