Embrace the Chicken

February 1, 2019
Grades 5-8 For a teen, moving is difficult; moving halfway across the continent is unimaginable. Shivani's fate is ever more challenging when her family relocates from India to Canada, forcing her to leave behind everything familiar, especially friends. Now, she wants only to fit in. But here's the rub: it's time for the school fund-raiser, and Shivani doesn't want her mother to attend the planning meeting because of her poor English. Not only does her mother attend but she also brings along Indian cookies to share! Unbeknownst to Shivani, her mother and her younger sister sign up for a food booth to serve Indian food. When Shivani sees the booth, she is mortified and positive that her life and popularity are shattered. Narsimhan presents an honest look at the dilemmas faced by teens as they transition from one culture to another, while simultaneously showing the strength of familial support and love. This quick read in the Orca Currents series is filled with angst tinged with humor and explores topics relevant to the lives of teens.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)