Fourteen-year-old, mixed-race, Mira Levinson, who lives in London, travels to Kolkata to visit her cousin Priya, after the death of her Granddad Bimal. She is overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and people she encounters. The sweltering heat, crowded streets, hard-hitting and heart-breaking poverty, and mouth-watering descriptions of food are really brought to life. Mira is compassionate, funny, and inquisitive. She is quiet, loves to paint, and is comfortable in a sari. Priya is an underground DJ and a gifted classical dancer, who is full of spunk and ambition. She dyes her hair red and wears skinny jeans and t-shirts instead of traditional Indian dress. The two are opposites, but they quickly become best friends. Added to this perception-changing story are the mystery of why Mira’s mother and Aunt Anjali had a falling out years ago and a love affair with the sweet boy, Janu. Many issues remain unresolved in this thought-provoking book. It is a sequel to Artichoke Hearts (a.k.a. Mira in the Present Tense). Watch for Brahmachari’s next book. mjw |
Title: Jasmine Skies
Author: Sita Brahmachari
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company, Chicago
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, UK
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8075-3782-4
Paperback pages: 332
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Kolkata, India
Author’s ethnicity: Indian
Author’s residence: UK
Awards: Longlisted for the 2013 Carnegie Medal
Subjects: Culture, Dance, India, Kolkata |