American as Paneer Pie
American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar is a reprint edition published by Simon and Schuster on May 18, 2021. This 336-page middle grade novel presents the story of Lekha Divekar, an Indian American girl who grapples with her identity and experiences prejudice in her small town. As she navigates her dual existence—embracing her cultural heritage at home while conforming to societal expectations at school—Lekha discovers the challenges and complexities of being different in a predominantly non-Indian environment.
In this narrative, Lekha’s life takes a turn when a new neighbor, Avantika, moves in, bringing her own unique perspective on cultural identity and resilience. Their friendship prompts Lekha to confront her feelings about bullying and the importance of self-expression. The book explores themes of friendship, social issues, and the immigrant experience, offering insights into the lives of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Readers will find a thoughtful exploration of identity and the courage it takes to stand up against prejudice, making this a relevant read for young audiences.
Official synopsis Publisher
“[A] charming novel [that] explores the complexity of immigration and identity.” —Teen Vogue
An Indian American girl navigates prejudice in her small town and learns the power of her own voice in this brilliant gem of a middle grade novel full of humor and heart, perfect for fans of Front Desk and Amina’s Voice.
As the only Indian American kid in her small town, Lekha Divekar feels like she has two versions of herself: Home Lekha, who loves watching Bollywood movies and eating Indian food, and School Lekha, who pins her hair over her bindi birthmark and avoids confrontation at all costs, especially when someone teases her for being Indian.
When a girl Lekha’s age moves in across the street, Lekha is excited to hear that her name is Avantika and she’s Desi, too! Finally, there will be someone else around who gets it. But as soon as Avantika speaks, Lekha realizes she has an accent. She’s new to this country, and not at all like Lekha.
To Lekha’s surprise, Avantika does not feel the same way as Lekha about having two separate lives or about the bullying at school. Avantika doesn’t take the bullying quietly. And she proudly displays her culture no matter where she is: at home or at school.
When a racist incident rocks Lekha’s community, Lekha realizes she must make a choice: continue to remain silent or find her voice before it’s too late.
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