Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-7
2016 NAPPA Award

independent Reading Level: Grades 3-7
Awards: Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2023

Retelling: The friendship tale was told from two perspectives. Ravi moved to the United States from India and was prepared to dominate his new school, just like he did back home. His expectations were dashed on the first day of school when the teacher couldn't understand his English, mispronounced his name, and sent him to a specialist. Joe, on the other hand, had been attending Einstein Elementary for his whole school career and knew the ropes. He knew he wasn't going to be Mr. Popular, and has been the target of the class bully for some time. Each character made assumptions about the other, and about the class bully, and it's only after a series of run-ins that their assumptions were challenged, and they began to see the friend they were looking for.

Thoughts and Feelings: Ravi and Joe's assumptions about each other were challenged, but the class bully Dillan's actions are never really explored. I'm always wary when characters seem to have no redeeming qualities. I found it bold and beautiful that the author decided to explore the xenophobia in Joe's family and I was pretty impressed that Joe called his own father out. ( )

Independent reading level: Grades 3-5
Awards: Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award, William Allen White Children's Book Award ( )