Bindi Babes

Amber, Jazz, and Geena Dhillon, three Indian sisters living with their father in England, appear to be doing just fine, even though their mother has recently died. In fact, the Bindi Babes are the envy of their peers--they're perfect students, and their sad and largely absent father indulges their every material wish. At least that's true until the girls' nosy, interfering aunt from India arrives to spoil everything; together they scheme how to get rid of Auntie so they can return to their perfect (and very Western) lives. Nina Wadia's lilting voice does an outstanding job narrating the comic twists of the Dhillon sisters' various plots. Wadia handles the variety of voices in the story with ease and humor and draws a wonderfully entertaining family portrait that is by turns funny and touching. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Starred review from August 23, 2004
Dhami's (Changing Places
; Annie's Game
) comedic sense of timing and endearing cast of characters will have readers alternately giggling and commiserating with the "Bindi Babes," three sisters whose parents were born in India and emigrated to England. Since their mother's death a year ago, Geena (the oldest), 12-year-old narrator Amber and Jazz have worked hard to push back their grief and put on a brave, cheerful front for their father. The last thing they want is for someone to try to take their mother's place. Nonetheless, "Auntie," their father's sister, arrives from India and seems to be trying to do just that. She urges the girls' father to be stricter with them and has a way of staying one step ahead of the girls, thwarting their plans to pierce 11-year-old Jazz's ears and to manipulate their father. So they conspire to marry Auntie off. Even through Amber's biased narration Dhami cleverly plants clues to Auntie's big heart and pure intentions. Readers will realize what Geena, Amber and Jazz do not—that with all her interfering, Auntie is slowly and methodically putting together the pieces of their broken family—and will appreciate Auntie's wisdom and compassion long before she wins over her nieces. The author creates a touching story about loss, adjustment and family love, laced with humor. Ages 8-12.

October 11, 2004
Via a confident and agile narration, Wadia transports listeners across the pond for a vibrant slice-of-life story about three Indian sisters living in England. On the surface, tweenage siblings Amber, Geena and Jazz want for nothing. The girls always sport the latest in cool clothes, shoes and gadgets and have earned the label Bindi Babes from friends and classmates. But all the material fabulousness may just be a way to block out the void left by their mother, who died the year before. The girls' easygoing father works extra-long hours to provide his children with their boundless bounty but could use some help at home. Enter Auntie, Dad's sister, who comes to live with them. Auntie weighs in on everything and puts a stop to the excessive buying and over-the-top behavior. Naturally, the girls plot to get rid of her, by marrying her off. As the family navigates through tense moments and hilarious situations, listeners will hear the warm undertones of Auntie's actions and words—and how much good she is actually doing her nieces. With its intriguing blend of tones, suggesting Bollywood and Bend It Like Beckham
, Dhami's cross-cultural tale will likely be a hit with preteen girls. Ages 8-12.