That Thing about Bollywood

April 1, 2021
Sixth grader Sonali learns a dramatic lesson about emotional honesty. The Southern California tween has long shouldered the burden of her parents' nonstop arguing--distracting her little brother when it makes him cry; stuffing her own feelings; and obeying her father's code of secrecy and stoicism. Ironically, Indian American Sonali and her best friend, Pakistani American Zara, adore Bollywood movies and all their emoting. Sonali's Gujarati family even has a weekly Hindi movie night, reveling in the high emotions on the screen while keeping their own trapped firmly behind closed doors. But her parents' trial separation, combined with Zara's growing friendship with a new girl at school, pushes Sonali beyond her limit. She is stricken with "filmi magic," waking up in an alternate, Bollywood-enhanced world in which personal soundtracks express your true mood and intense feelings lead to song-and-dance numbers. Hair, clothing, and decor even get the Technicolor Bollywood treatment. Losing control leads Sonali to explore possible solutions to her "Bollywooditis"--and the inevitable realization that she must find the courage to open up to those who love her, which in turn fosters family and friendship growth. Sonali's distress is painfully real, showing the isolating ripple effects of parental conflict on relationships and school performance. As much of the novel centers Sonali's inner turmoil as she spins her emotional wheels, at times repetitively, it will appeal most to readers who appreciate character-driven stories. A love letter to Bollywood that offers heartfelt encouragement to the lonely. (Fiction. 8-12)

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April 15, 2021
Grades 5-7 As far as 11-year-old Sonali is concerned, "feeling nothing is better than feeling sad or angry or crushed." She works hard to maintain a posture of impassivity, no matter the occasion or the emotion it warrants. This is ironic, considering her tendency to view life through the sensuous and emotive filter of Bollywood movies, where songs, costume changes, and improbable plots abound. It becomes evident early on that beneath this cool exterior lies a sensitive preteen who hasn't allowed herself to explore, much less express, her vulnerability around a strained friendship and her parents' separation. The story takes a turn for the absurd when Sonali's repressed feelings manifest as a Bollywood-style soundtrack that takes control of her, causing her to vocalize her emotions in outrageous ways. Readers unfamiliar with the musical references will have to be patient, while those in the know might chuckle. Those who stay with it, following Sonali's dramas, will appreciate the tender moments; there's a lot packed into this effervescent novel, which, in the hands of the right reader, will sing.

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