Synopses & Reviews
Vandana Singhandrsquo;s first book,
Younguncle Comes to Town, was an instant classic of childrenandrsquo;s literature. Now, in this highly anticipated follow-up, Younguncle finds himself on an adventure in the mountains of India.
In Younguncle in the Himalayas, our protagonist arrives with his family at the gloomy, mysterious Hotel Pine-Away and soon discovers that their mountain holiday is going to be anything but peaceful. As Younguncle chats with monkeys and debates the true nature of reality with an offbeat sect of the Quantum Banana spiritualists, the fate of the picturesque little valley hangs in the balance. Who is the strange Rat-girl who charms rodents out of the hotel? Can the children and their eccentric uncle thwart the schemes of the dangerous city-slicker Pradeep Daalmakhini? Can Younguncle help Daalmakhiniandrsquo;s intended bride escape a fate worse than death? Has our favorite adventurer finally met his match?
and#160;
andldquo;Enchanting . . . Singh is a most promising and original young writer.andrdquo;andmdash;Ursula K. LeGuin, author of The Earthsea Trilogy
andldquo;One of the best childrenandrsquo;s books this year. . . . It has none of the self-consciousness you often find in adults who write for children, very plausible dilemmas and a delightful style.andrdquo; andmdash;Business Standard
Review
“Readers will be drawn into Nailas trials and tribulations as she navigates the reality of her new life in Pakistan and explores what inner resources she needs to change her fate. . . . Sheds light on the difficult phenomenon of forced marriage, still prevalent in many cultures around the world and often shrouded in silence.”
Review
“Movingly conveys the intense cultural pressure that motivates Nailas parents and the heartbreaking betrayal Naila feels as she is deprived of her rights, cut off from the outside world, and threatened with shame and death. Saeed includes resources for those who, like Saifs family, wish to help real-life Nailas, in this wrenching but hopeful story.”
Review
“Compelling. . . . This is a cross-cultural eye opener . . . Resonates in its explanations of the rituals, especially how they would look and feel from an American point of view. Yet the setting is pure Pakistani, with culturally rich descriptions of Nailas extended family, their cuisine, and strongly held beliefs. . . . Evocative.”
Review
“This suspenseful story about a young woman trapped in a marriage she doesnt want will make your heart ache. I couldnt put it down.”—Suzanne Fisher Staples, author of Newbery Honor winner
Shabanu “In this beautiful debut novel, Saeed offers a look inside the heartbreaking realities of a young woman caught between her American upbringing and her parents traditional views on love and marriage. This is a page-turner about love, culture, family—and the perilous journey into womanhood worldwide. I couldnt put it down.”—Meg Medina, author of Pura Belpré Author Award winner Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass
“Written in the Stars is a wonderfully complex love story unlike any youve read before. Saeed has given a novel that is both entertaining and important.”—Matt de la Peña, author of Pura Belpré Author Honor winner The Living
Synopsis
Gloria Whelan's National Book Award–winning novel, chronicles the breathtaking story of a remarkable young woman who dares to defy fate. Like many girls her age in India, thirteen–year–old Koly faces her arranged marriage with hope and courage. But Koly's story takes a terrible turn when in the wake of the ceremony, she discovers she's been horribly misled; her life has been sold for a dowry. In prose both graceful and unflinching, this powerful novel relays the story of a rare young woman, who even when cast out into a brutal current of time–worn tradition, sets out to forge her own remarkable future.Inspired by a newspaper article about the real thirteen–year–old widows in India today, this universally acclaimed best–selling novel, characterized by spare, lyrical language and remarkable detail, transports readers into the heart of a gripping tale of hope.
Ages 10+
Synopsis
The National Book Award-winning novel about one remarkable young woman who dares to defy fate, perfect for readers who enjoyed A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park or Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai.
Like many girls her age in India, thirteen-year-old Koly faces her arranged marriage with hope and courage. But Koly's story takes a terrible turn when in the wake of the ceremony, she discovers she's been horribly misled--her life has been sold for a dowry. Can she forge her own future, even in the face of time-worn tradition?
Perfect for schools and classrooms, this universally acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning novel by master of historical fiction Gloria Whelan is a gripping tale of hope that will transport readers of all ages.
Synopsis
Gloria Whelan's National Book Award-winning novel, chronicles the breathtaking story of a remarkable young woman who dares to defy fate. Like many girls her age in India, thirteen-year-old Koly faces her arranged marriage with hope and courage. But Koly's story takes a terrible turn when in the wake of the ceremony, she discovers she's been horribly misled; her life has been sold for a dowry. In prose both graceful and unflinching, this powerful novel relays the story of a rare young woman, who even when cast out into a brutal current of time-worn tradition, sets out to forge her own remarkable future.Inspired by a newspaper article about the real thirteen-year-old widows in India today, this universally acclaimed best-selling novel, characterized by spare, lyrical language and remarkable detail, transports readers into the heart of a gripping tale of hope.
Ages 10+
Synopsis
< p=""> < b=""> Gloria Whelan's National Book Award& ndash; winning novel, chronicles the breathtaking story of a remarkable young woman who dares to defy fate.<> <> < p=""> Like many girls her age in India, thirteen& ndash; year& ndash; old Koly faces her arranged marriage with hope and courage. But Koly's story takes a terrible turn when in the wake of the ceremony, she discovers she's been horribly misled; her life has been sold for a dowry. In prose both graceful and unflinching, this powerful novel relays the story of a rare young woman, who even when cast out into a brutal current of time& ndash; worn tradition, sets out to forge her own remarkable future.Inspired by a newspaper article about the real thirteen& ndash; year& ndash; old widows in India today, this universally acclaimed best& ndash; selling novel, characterized by spare, lyrical language and remarkable detail, transports readers into the heart of a gripping tale of hope.<> < p=""> Ages 10+<> < p=""> <> <> <>
Synopsis
This heart-wrenching novel explores what it is like to be thrust into an unwanted marriage. Has Nailas fate been written in the stars? Or can she still make her own destiny?
Nailas conservative immigrant parents have always said the same thing: She may choose what to study, how to wear her hair, and what to be when she grows upbut they will choose her husband. Following their cultural tradition, they will plan an arranged marriage for her. And until then, datingeven friendship with a boyis forbidden. When Naila breaks their rule by falling in love with Saif, her parents are livid. Convinced she has forgotten who she truly is, they travel to Pakistan to visit relatives and explore their roots. But Nailas vacation turns into a nightmare when she learns that plans have changedher parents have found her a husband and they want her to marry him, now! Despite her greatest efforts, Naila is aghast to find herself cut off from everything and everyone she once knew. Her only hope of escape is Saif . . . if he can find her before its too late.
About the Author
Aisha Saeed (aishasaeed.com) is a Pakistani American writer, teacher, and attorney. Her writings have appeared in publications including The Orlando Sentinel, Muslim Girl magazine, and Rivaaj magazine. As one of the founding members of the much talked about We Need Diverse Books Campaign, she is helping to change the conversation about diversity in literature. She is also a contributing author to the highly acclaimed Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women, which features the story of her own (happily) arranged marriage. Aisha lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and sons.
Table of Contents
Heat, Monkeys and Rolling in Grain
Quantum Bananas and Hotel Arrangements
Oil and Troubled Waiters
The Himalayan Times Bravery Contest
Things that went Squeak in the Night
The Multi-Storied Two-Hundred-year-Old Postman
The Cleverest Baby in India
Plots and Equations
Bride-to-be, or Not to be?
Lunching with Quantum Bananas
Sapna Devi Speaks Out
The Flight of the Banana
A Forest, a Feast, and a Farewell
Epilogue
Vandana Singh on PowellsBooks.Blog

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