Books for Older Readers
Keeping Corner
AWARDS:
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (Honor award) —Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) 2008
IRA Notable Books for A Global Society (International Reading Association)
2007 Parent's Choice Award Gold Winner
2008 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth
2009 Amelia Bloomer Project List
The Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Outstanding Book—Wisconsin Library Association 2008
REVIEWS:
Publishers Weekly ** Starred Review ** (11/05/07): "Although readers unfamiliar with Indian history may not grasp the use of India's independence as a metaphor for Leela's growth, they will thoroughly identify with the heroine as she develops from a pleasure-seeking girl into an intelligent young woman..."
Kirkus, ** Starred Review **: "This powerful and enchanting novel juxtaposes Leela's journey to self-determination with the parallel struggle of her family and community to follow Gandhi on the road to independence from British rule...We leave Leela and her country poised to cross the threshold of autonomy at that enchanting moment when anything seems possible.
School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW: "As in Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet (Hyperion, 2006), Sheth provides a first-person narrative with a strong protagonist and rich sense of place, with the added bonus of an unusual historical perspective."
Booklist, STARRED REVIEW: "Idealistic teens will be caught up in the human-rights issues, and the vivid cultural specifics, memorable characters, and the bold adolescent's challenge to tradition will attract a wide readership."
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Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet
AWARDS
2007 Amelia Bloomer Project Book
*Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2007 (*Outstanding merit)
CCBC Choices: 2007
Read On Wisconsin! (Selected for grades 6-8)
Selected for New Jersey Summer Reading Program 2011: One world, Many stories
REVIEWS
Publishers Weekly: "Sheth's (Blue Jasmine) novel set in Mumbai offers readers a fascinating glimpse of modern Indian culture. Eloquent and insightful, this book invites introspection and may lead to lively discussions about the pros and cons of honoring and breaking tradition."
School Library Journal (Grade 8 Up): "Warmly descriptive of life in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), this love story has a rich sense of place. This first-person narrative is a lush and loving exploration of coming of age."
Booklist: "But like the hot, sweet mango pickles Jeeta savors, her experiences crystallize the combined pain and joy of tradition and family, which Sheth anchors in rich particulars of setting, cuisine, and dialect (a glossary is provided)."
Selected by Cooperative Children's Book Center as their Book of the Week: "Jeeta's fear for her sister far outweighs her fear of violating traditional values in a story about a strong and loving family facing the challenges of blending new ideas with old. With complex characters, realistic relationships, and vivid, sensual details of setting and culture, Kashmira Sheths brings Jeeta's life into full relief in story that unfolds with grace and certainty."
Orlando Examiner: "Traditional roles for women are explored beside modern ones, including higher education and professional identities independent from family or marital ties. The dilemma presented by traditional concepts of beauty versus conceptualization of self as beautiful based on merit, personality, and personal assessment adds interesting insights." - Maria Mederos
Papertigers: "Sheth has created an earnest work that captures the familiar struggle to bridge modern culture with conservative tradition." - Mary Beth Cecchini
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