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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Boys Without Names
AWARDS
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Alan's Picks, 2010
Chicago Public Library: Best of the Best Reading List 2010
YALSA: Hidden Gems of 2010
Semicolon's Twelve Best Middle Grade Fiction Books of 2010
Missourian Book Buzz Picks 2010
Cybils Nominee Middle Grade Fiction 2010
Nominated for Troybery Award 2011
Nominated for Maine Student Book Award 2011-2012
WEMTA Battle of the Books 2011
Selected for Read On Wisconsin!
REVIEWS
Publisher's Weekly: "Sheth's lush prose creates a vivid portrait of slave labor without losing the thread of hope that Gopal clings to." Booklist: "As Gopal dreams of escape, he builds tenuous friendships with his fellow workers. Those wary bonds form a dramatic counterpoint to the children's daily misery, described in moving, palpable detail, and skillfully steer the story away from docu-novel territory to its hopeful conclusion. Pair this eye-opening title with Susan Kuklin's Iqbal Masih and the Crusaders against Child Slavery (1998)". — Gillian Engberg
School Library Journal: "……..well-told survival story with a social conscience". – Kathleen Isaacs, Children's Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD
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Blue Jasmine
AWARDS
IRA Notable Books for A Global Society (International Reading Association)
The Paul Zindel First Novel Award
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award: 2005
CCBC Choices: 2005
ALA Great Middle School Reads
The Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Outstanding Book—Wisconsin Library Association 2005
Selected for "New and Notable Book," AsianWeek 2005
2006-2007 Iowa Children's Choice Award Nominee
Oklahoma's 2007 Children's Sequoyah Award Masterlist
REVIEWS
Publisher’s Weekly, * Starred Review* : "In this delicate, introspective debut novel, narrator Seema describes her assimilation to America, capturing the distinct flavors of two different cultures [the U.S. and India]."
CCBC Choices: First-time novelist Kashmira Sheth shows remarkable talent for creating credible, well-rounded characters who are able to meet the challenge of living in two cultures without being forced to choose between them. This, coupled with her skillful use of metaphor, raise this novel high above the typical immigrant story for this age level.
Booklist: Filled with details that document an immigrant's observations and experiences, Seema's story, which articulates the ache for distant home and family, will resonate with fellow immigrants and enlighten their classmates.
Kirkus: A realistic emigration story told with empathy and sincerity.
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No Dogs Allowed Rule
AWARDS
Landed on Publishers' Weekly's Children's galleys to Grab: BEA 2012
REVIEWS
The Washington Post: “Ishan Mehra is a typical third-grader. He likes creepy-crawling critters and annoying his older brother. But what he really would love more than anything is to have a dog. The problem is that his mom has a rule against dogs. This fun, easy-to-read book follows Ishan on some very funny adventures as he tries to persuade his mom to change her mind. Does he get his dog? We'll never tell.”
Kirkus: “The first-person, present-tense narration includes short paragraphs, ample dialogue and illustrations every few pages (final art not seen). While the multicultural aspect of this title is important, its real strength is the familiarity of Ishan's situation. Elementary school readers will find it easy to identify with both his younger-brother troubles and his desperate desire for a dog. Just right for aspiring pet owners.”
Booklist: “The author of Boys without Names (2010) here addresses a younger audience with characters who are both funny and believable. Much like his female counterparts Junie B. Jones and Ramona, Ishan's naivety and creativity will endear him to readers, as will his sibling difficulties. Ishan's South Asian heritage plays a prominent role, but it doesn't drive the plot. Illustrated with pencil drawings, this will be popular with beginning chapter-book readers.”
School Library Journal: “The story's pacing, geared toward beginning chapter-book readers, moves swiftly toward its resolution and has enough mild surprises along the way to keep youngsters turning the page to see if the boys are victorious at the end. Occasional black-and-white illustrations work well in tying the story together.”
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