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By Nidha Chanani
Priyanka is an Indian American teenager who has many questions about her mother’s past life in India. Where is her father, and why didn’t he come to America? Why doesn’t her mother want to ever return to India, especially when she has a sister there? When Pri stumbles upon her mother’s Pashmina scarf, she is transported to the land of her dreams where everything is beautiful and serene.
I liked the idea behind this book of a sort of time-travel to learn your culture theme. The use of vivid colors during the vision sequences was beautifully done and emphasized the magical imagination in stark contrast to reality, which was in black and white. Although the storyline was easy to follow, there were some disjointed parts. As a main character, Pri was a typical flawed teenager, and not totally likable. There is also an element of racism and bullying in the story. I liked the explanation of the mysterious shadow character in the Pashmina vision. There was a good opportunity to explain a little more about the religious and cultural customs, but they were just glossed over. The way the storyline wraps up is satisfying, but feels rushed.
The cover and artwork are very appealing and for that alone I think this book will be popular.
Review by Terrie Bishop, Academy Park Media Center
Rating: ★★★½✩ (3.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-9
Pashmina
By Nidha Chanani
First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press
161 pages
Release Date: October 3, 2017
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
