Kashmira Sheth's narratives delve into the complexities of cultural transition and the search for identity, often centering on young female protagonists. Her writing is characterized by a sensitive portrayal of emotions and familial bonds, deeply rooted in Indian culture while navigating new life experiences abroad. Through her characters, Sheth explores the intricacies of adolescence, the clash between tradition and modernity, and the resilience found in the face of adversity. Her prose offers readers a profound exploration of the universal quest for belonging.
Anoop, an eighth-grader, grapples with his identity and faith as he navigates a new class where his patka draws unwanted attention. Amidst personal and societal challenges, including his grandfather's declining health in India and rising attacks on American Sikhs, he reflects on his place in the world. This poignant exploration delves into themes of cultural identity, family bonds, and resilience in the face of adversity.
When family visit from India, Nina Soni has the opportunity to be the perfect hostess—but her annoying cousin Montu and her own assumptions and intentions may complicate matters. Nina’s grandmother is coming to visit, all the way from India. It’s hard, only getting to see her grandparents on carefully timed video calls, scheduled to manage that ten-and-a-half hour time difference. But now Dadi is going to stay for several weeks! Nina can’t wait to see Dadi—but then it turns out that Montu, her annoying cousin, will also be coming. It’s challenging enough to manage her little sister, but Nina has gotten used to that, and even come to appreciate many of Kavita’s eccentricities. Still, it will be fun to introduce her extended family to life and friends in Madison, Wisconsin, and Nina is determined to become the perfect hostess. Surely, she can manage to plan a lovely visit, with the help of the lists she makes in her journal.
Set in snowy Wisconsin, the story follows Nina as she introduces her new friends to winter fun. However, her excitement takes a turn when she spots a suspicious car at her neighbors' house while they are away. Determined to uncover the identity of the mystery person, Nina embarks on a thrilling adventure as a self-appointed Snow Spy, blending friendship, curiosity, and a touch of intrigue in her winter escapades.
Experience the magic of an Indian wedding in this story of a girl playing a fun, traditional game on her sister's wedding day. Sona's big sister is getting married and she's been given an important job to do. She has to steal the groom's shoes. She's never attended a wedding before, so she's unfamiliar with this Indian tradition―as well as many of the other magical experiences that will occur before and during the special event. But with the assistance of her annoying cousin Vishal, Sona finds a way to steal the shoes and get a very special reward. With amusing text and gorgeous, vibrant watercolors, author Kashmira Sheth and illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi present a heartwarming story ripe with themes of family, ritual, and tradition.
On Take Your Child to Work Day, Nina, Kavita, and Jay accompany their mother, a landscape architect, to learn about gardening. While Kavita and Jay are content with the experience, ambitious Nina envisions a vegetable-selling business. However, her grand plans overlook the challenges of gardening, such as dealing with pests like rabbits and slugs, setting the stage for a humorous and educational adventure in entrepreneurship and problem-solving.
Nina Soni's competitive nature shines during Halloween as she strives to outdo her friend Jay's costume. Inspired by old boxes in the basement, she plans to create a thrilling haunted house to charge admission. However, as she dives into her ambitious project, unexpected challenges arise, putting her Halloween queen status to the test.
Nina, a lively Indian-American girl, finds herself bored during a rainy spring break and frustrated with her little sister Kavita's antics. When a pile of dirt appears at their neighbor's house, she seizes the opportunity to embark on an ambitious engineering project. Teaming up with Kavita, Nina aims to create something spectacular, but their plans take an unexpected turn, leading to humorous and unforeseen outcomes. This charming story explores sibling dynamics and the excitement of creativity.
A vibrant and deliciously amusing suspenseful story set in India about food and gardening, anticipation, and generosity. Every morning, Jiva works in his garden until the sun turns as red as a bride's sari. He plants peas and beans, potatoes and tomatoes, eggplants and okra in his vegetable patch. While his friend Ruvji admires his plants Jiva sings, "Plump peas, sweet peas, Lined-up-in-the-shell peas. Peas to munch, peas to crunch I want a feast of peas for lunch!" But each time Jiva is ready to pick the peas for his feast, they're already gone. He tries making a scarecrow and a fence, but it's no use. Who might have taken them this time?
Nina juggles multiple responsibilities, from finishing a school project to planning her sister Kavita's birthday party, all while trying to mend her friendship with Jay. Her organized nature clashes with her forgetfulness, leading to a chaotic but relatable journey of balancing personal commitments and relationships.
Set against the backdrop of the vibrant monsoon season, the story follows an Indian boy and his grandfather as they embrace the joy of a rainy day. Their shared experiences highlight the beauty of nature, the warmth of family bonds, and the simple pleasures found in life’s little moments. Through their adventures, readers are invited to appreciate the magic of rain and the special relationship between generations.