A Project of the South Asia National Outreach Consortium
My Big, Fat Desi Wedding by Prerna Pickett (Page Street Publishing, 2024) This YA romance anthology, featuring eight different Desi authors, contains the spectrum of stories one expects from an anthology – it runs the gamut from a “family curse” that turns speech to truth, to a vampiric marriage, to the ever-beloved trope of one’s soulmate’s …
I’m From Here Too by Kashmira Sheth (Peachtree Books, 2024) Eighth grader Anoop has a lot on his plate – a new classroom without his best friend, his grandfather in India is sick and possibly dying, and attacks on American Sikhs are increasing. Anoop’s only respite is the poetry that he writes, but as he tries …
Amil and the After by Veera Hiranandani (Kokila/Penguin Random House, 2024) In Amil and the After, Veera Hiranandani continues the story from The Night Diary, following 12-year-old Amil as he adjusts to life in Bombay after the Partition of India. Struggling with loss, trauma, and identity, Amil finds healing through drawing, friendship, and small acts of …
Yasmeen Lari, Green Architect, written by Marzieh Abbas, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi (Clarion Books, 2024) Yasmeen Lari has shattered multiple glass ceilings—not only as Pakistan’s first woman architect but also as a passionate activist and community organizer dedicated to preserving the country’s historic architecture and heritage sites. She has led humanitarian efforts that empower local …
My Mother’s Tongues, written by Uma Menon, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell (Candlewick Press, 2024) Sumi is in awe of her mother’s superpower: her mom can speak two languages- Malayalam and English. Through beautiful mixed media images, the author and illustrator invites the readers to join a story that highlights the importance of communicating through multilingualism …
Asha the Auto-Driver, written by Aruna Shekar, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat (Tulika Books, 2024) Follow Asha as she drives in the beautiful, bustling streets of Chennai from dawn to dusk. Her green-and-yellow auto is more than just a ride — it’s a moving sanctuary where stories bloom like the jasmine strings she sells. (Grades PK-2) Award …
This story is about a young girl, Arthi wanting to know more about the wooden dolls (bommalu) that her father makes. She learns that each of the bommalu has a story to tell. The exemplary dolls that these artisans create are considered heirlooms and are passed on proudly from generation to generation. (Grades K-2)
This vibrant nonfiction picture book takes young readers on an enchanting journey across India, showcasing the country’s rich cultural diversity, iconic landmarks, and natural wonders. Through lively illustrations and engaging prose, the book explores India’s varied traditions, languages, wildlife, and festivals, providing a window into everyday life. With each page offering a new discovery, readers are immersed in the sights, sounds, and colors of India, celebrating its complexity and charm. (Grades 2-5)
A fictionalized graphic telling of Prince Siddhartha. This fictionalized graphic novel retells the story of Prince Siddhartha, the boy who came to be known as Gautama Buddha. The story shares the stages of his life, his path to enlightenment and how he became The Enlightened One. From the moment the young boy won a marble game and lost his sword to use in practice, to the moment of enlightenment and the diffusion of his teachings, this story is a great foundation text for understanding the life of Buddha. (Grades 6-9)
The story chronicles the lives of Noor and Salahudin, close high school friends who share their Pakistani-American heritage. Their familial challenges unfold as Noor confronts an antagonistic uncle while Salahudin navigates his mother’s illness and father’s alcohol dependency. The novel thoughtfully delves into themes of family ties, trauma, grief, abuse, alcoholism, racism, kindness, forgiveness, and hope. (Grades 9-12)
