Release: February 2nd, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Source: Amazon
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N.
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A heartbreakingly hopeful novel about an Indian American girl whose life turns upside down when her mother has leukemia.
Reha feels torn between two worlds. In her school, she’s the only Indian American student to remain American. And home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand her conflicts. They only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels a sense of separation from her mother or Amma. Although Reha means Star and Punam mean Moon, they are a universe apart.
Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick.
Reha dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood. However, she resolves to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter if it means saving Amma’s life.
From Indies Introduce author Rajani LaRocca comes a radiant story about the ties that bind and how to go on in the face of unthinkable loss. This is the perfect next read for fans of Jasmine Warga and Thanhhà Lại.
About the Author:
Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning novels and picture books, including Midsummer’s Mayhem (2019), Seven Golden Rings (2020), Red, White, and Whole (2021), Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers (2021), Much Ado About Baseball (2021), Where Three Oceans Meet (2021), My Little Golden Book About Kamala Harris (2021), The Secret Code Inside You (2021), and more.
She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry.
She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books, visit her at www.RajaniLaRocca.com or on Twitter and Instagram @rajanilarocca.
Red White and Whole Review:
“Red, White, and Whole” is the first book I read by the author, and I am already a fan!
Firstly, I have to applaud the author for writing the story so beautifully. She writes each chapter in a simple, poetic manner. Yet, the words are so powerful that it leaves an impact on you. It is truly one of my favorite books of 2021.
Secondly, the author portrayed Reha perfectly! As an Indian, who also grew up abroad, I could relate to Reha’s character. She doesn’t feel like she belongs in both worlds, and I thought the author captured her feelings. Moreover, the author realistically wrote her friends. Rachel and Pete are not Indians, but they have no problem befriending Reha and supporting her.
Apart from the characters, the author also adds many details to the plot. I loved the first half of the story because the author highlights various Indian cultures of the family. However, the second half had me emotional as Reha tries to help her mother during the unfortunate situation. The story will tug at your heartstrings and made the story so memorable. On a side note, I LOVED the Savithri and Satyavan storyline (from the Indian epic Mahabharat) the author narrates in parallel and how it impacts Reha’s life. Even if you leave aside all the Indian references, the author still portrays the American culture of the 80s flawlessly!
Overall, “Red, White, and Whole” is not only a beautiful family tale but also a realistic depiction of what it is like to grow up as an Indian American.
