Vanished

June 27, 2011
Chari's first novel starts off slowly, but readers will soon be invested in 11-year-old Neela Krishnan's desperate search for her missing veena, a four-foot-tall Indian stringed instrument that dates to the 11th century. Neela's grandmother, who lives in India, sends her a veena that may be a rare "Guru original," carved with a lucky dragon symbol. When a mysterious man lures Neela into a church and the veena disappears, her superstitious mother believes the instrument was not stolen but cursed, vanishing in an attempt to return to its rightful owner. Nevertheless, Neela is wracked with guilt and passionate about recovering the instrument that both inspires her and diminishes her intense stage fright. She collects some cluesâa dragon tea kettle, a fellow student's unusual behavior, a menacing note, a connection to a late musicianâthat lead her all the way from Boston to India to find the truth. Indian history and culture (musical and otherwise), well-observed family and friendship dynamics, and elements of fate, luck, and tradition bring depth this quiet but enthralling mystery. Ages 8â12.

June 1, 2011

When Neela's grandmother sends her a veena from India, she neglects to mention that the instrument is cursed.

Neela Krishnan tries to follow her parents' advice to take the best of both her cultures: Indian and American. Still, she sometimes feels she is singled out in school because of her heritage. So Neela, a budding musician, is nervous but pleased when she can share her treasured veena with her classmates—until it goes missing. Following clues in hopes of finding it, Neela travels to India to unravel the history of the veena. Well-paced and with moments of family humor—Mrs. Krishnan performs an aarti to drive away back luck ("That's so unscientific," according to Mr. Krishnan)—the novel offers a strong cast of characters and richly-described settings; both the legend and the contemporary mystery come alive for readers. This is a study of musicians and the passion that drives them, including, for some, an obsessive desire to own a special instrument. Neela grows as she journeys to find the veena, emerging stronger than before: closer to her family, with new friendships forged and, most gratifying, showing signs of becoming a serious musician. For readers whose interest in veenas is piqued, there is an author's note with more information.

Chari, in her debut novel, strikes the right note with this engaging, intricate story that spans generations and two countries. (Mystery. 10-14)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

December 1, 2011

Gr 4-7-The veena, a traditional Indian stringed instrument, is a pretty exotic thing to have in Virginia. Neela's veena, which belonged to her grandmother, is even more exotic, since it might be a Guru original-oh, and it comes with a curse. It always disappears and ends up back at a particular music store in India. When the instrument is stolen from Neela, she wonders if maybe the curse is true, but she also begins her own investigation, with the help of her best friend, Pavi, and new friend Matt (who wears old rock tees and teaches her how to use a credit card to unlock a door). A plethora of suspects, odd coincidences, and scary warnings culminates with a visit to India and the Chennai Music Palace. Neela is a realistic 11-year-old, addicted to potato chips and not assertive at first, but her confidence grows as she learns more about the veena and the people involved. Supporting characters are well drawn: her frazzled but loving parents and haircut-phobic little brother; Sudha Auntie, her cranky instructor; and mysterious Lynne, who has her own connection to the veena. A fine, fast-moving mystery with a satisfying conclusion.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2011
Grades 4-7 Eleven-year-old Neela is encouraged by her parents to embrace being both American and Indian. The latter is made easy because Neela loves to play the veena, a traditional Indian instrument. When her grandmother sends her a beautiful antique veena from India, Neela is delighted at its sound and finds it easy to imagine herself onstage as an international veena performer. But then her grandmother's veena disappears from a local church during a rainstorm, and Neela begins to wonder if the veena's rumored curse might actually be true. Featuring Indian foods, clothing, and customs, this debut novel also has a spunky heroine. Neela is smart and engaging, and her struggles with her conscience over small deceptions during her pursuit of the veena are understandable, if a little overplayed. Multidimensional characters of several generations lend credence to the story, and the foreign flavor is a plus. Though it can go on in places, this offers themes of family and honesty in a refreshing light mystery.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)