I’M FROM HERE TOO
This middle grade verse novel follows an Indian American Sikh boy through a year of change, challenges, and growth.
Anoop is many things: a brother, a son, a grandson, a friend, a middle school student, and a budding writer. He is also Indian American and Sikh.
When he joins a new class, separated from longtime friends, aspects of his identity—especially his long hair, covered with a patka—draw attention in new and uncomfortable ways. At the same time, his beloved grandfather in India is nearing death, leading Anoop to think about faith and identity and his place in the world, especially as attacks on American Sikhs accelerate and he is reminded of his grandfather’s experiences during Partition.
Can the tenets of his faith—equality, justice, service, honesty—help Anoop navigate life? Can he even maintain them?
REVIEWS:
“I’M FROM HERE TOO is a beautiful book that explores universal themes of belonging, confidence, and identity from a perspective that's too often overlooked - a young Sikh boy. The author deftly conveys experiences of what it's like to be minoritized in our society, and how we move through those experiences together. It's a powerful story for people who see the difficult realities of our present moment yet hope for a better future.” — Simran Jeet Singh, Sikh Scholar and author of FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING and THE LIGHT WE GIVE
"A strong introduction to Sikh culture and faith." — Booklist
"[A] moving verse novel . . . Sheth evocatively explains Sikhism in this compassionate story in which characters combat hate with reason." — Publishers Weekly
"Readers who want a window or mirror into Sikh culture, and fans of novels-in-verse like Rajani LaRocca's Red, White, and Whole, will appreciate I'm From Here Too." — School Library Journal
"An informative coming-of-age journey." — Kirkus Reviews
Eighth grade marks the first time Anoop doesn't have any classes with his best friend, and he's feeling nervous and vulnerable, now without an ally against ignorant comments about his Sikh religion and his patka, a cotton hair covering that's part of his faith. Anoop and his community have especially been on alert for racist [End Page 407] hate since a shooter attacked a Sikh temple, or gurudwara, in his home state of Wisconsin and left several people dead. The bullying this year is especially horrendous, so when his grandfather in India falls ill with pneumonia, Anoop jumps at the chance to escape his tormentors and fly with his dad to visit Baba. Guided by quotes from Sikh gurus to introduce each seasonal section of this story, Sheth's novel in verse deftly explores themes of bigotry, belonging, and courage through engaging and accessible poetry. Dialogue-heavy scenes sometimes disrupt the flow of the verse, but they enhance the plot through Anoop's interactions with a broad cast of supporting characters while interspersed poems on darker backgrounds indicate some of Anoop's deepest, most tender musings. Additionally compelling are Anoop's contemplations of his faith, inspired by Baba, who relied on Sikh wisdom to withstand the trauma of losing his entire family at the age of thirteen during the violence of the Partition in 1947. A substantial author's note describes Sheth's Hindu faith and connections to the settings of India and Wisconsin, plus the interview with a Sikh youth from her community that inspired this book; this would make a valuable addition to any young adult fiction shelf. — The Bulletin
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Nina Soni, Snow Spy (Book 5)
Lovable, distractable Nina Soni and her friends and family return in another entertaining tale of big plans gone awry and amusing solutions with unexpected consequences.
REVIEWS:
“Nina, who enjoys making lists and sometimes has trouble focusing, is an earnest protagonist with classic worries about sometimes-intricate levels of friendship. Snow good!” — Kirkus Reviews
Nina Soni, Halloween Queen
(Book 4)
Halloween brings out Nina Soni’s competitive spirit. Her friend Jay has a great costume planned, so–of course–Nina has to come up with an even better idea. A bunch of old boxes in the basement inspires her to create an impressively scary haunted house, for which she can charge admission. So what could possibly go wrong for the Halloween Queen?
REVIEWS
“A must-have chapter book for readers who enjoy stories of friendships, families, and cultural traditions.”
— Kelly Finan Richards, Baltimore County P.S. School Library Journal
Nina Soni, Master of the Garden (Book 3)
It's Take Your Child to Work Day, and Nina, Kavita, and Jay are all going to work with Mom, a landscape architect, to learn how to start a garden. Naturally that's not enough for Nina, who quickly develops big plans for a business selling the vegetables she plans to grow. But her plans don't include managing the problems that inevitably arise, including rabbits, slugs, mosquitos, and more!
Readers are sure to relate to Sheth’s endearing Nina Soni, her family and friends, and her slightly scatter-brained efforts to manage her life with lists, definitions, and real-life math problems. A great read for STEAM enthusiasts!
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Feast of Peas
REVIEWS
“Sheth’s use of language (poetry and repetition) is a singular delight. Equally charming are Ebbeler’s illustrations, which include lots of funny details, with exaggerated and elongated cartoon-style figures that make the most of the story’s humor. Delicious!” — Kirkus Reviews
“[A] dazzlingly illustrated new fairy tale… the images burst with engaging movement….a nice lesson on friendship and forgiveness.” — Booklist
“Lyrical… Sheth spins a yarn about greed and forgiveness in well-paced, poetic narration accompanied by Ebbeler’s expressive acrylic illustrations.” — Publishers Weekly
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Nina Soni, Sister Fixer (Book 2)
AWARDS
REVIEWS
Nina is a charming, lovable narrator for this book about the frustrations and joys of siblinghood. Nina may want to fix her sister, but in the process, she does a fairly good job of concocting projects and games with her. Her obsessive list-making, and her embarrassment when her plans go awry, are well realized and believable, and Kavita provides a constant source of charmingly embarrassing dialogue and misheard lyrics. Fans of Beverly Cleary’s Beezus and Ramona series will enjoy this more recent mismatched (but affectionate) sibling pair.” - Naomi Lesley, Parent’s Choice
“Sheth’s clear and distinctive narratorial voice effortlessly leads readers through the intricacies of Nina’s quirky, innocent world…. The children’s Indian heritage is cleverly woven into the storyline, infusing their lives without eclipsing their American identities.” —Kirkus Reviews
“As in the previous book, Nina’s appealing first-person narrative includes lists, which she uses to organize her thoughts, and definitions of words that interest her, but it’s her lively personality and refreshing candor that will endear her to readers.” —Booklist
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