Big, Fat Desi Wedding
Edited By Prerna Pickett
Page Street Books
Drama. Food. Fashion. More drama. More food. Nosey aunties and uncles―and, of course, the universal language of love. These elements are a must-have for any Desi wedding, inclusive of people indigenous to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In this anthology, authors from various parts of the Desi community will share genre-bending stories that explore the lush traditions of their region, translating that universal language through the familiar lens of the Ultimate Family Gathering.
In this collection that centers hope, love, and family, readers will enjoy eight stories from both award-winning and debut authors including Tashie Bhuiyan, Payal Doshi, Anahita Karthik, Syed M. Masood, Sarah Mughal, Aamna Qureshi, and Noreen Mughees, and edited by Prerna Pickett.
Cover image and summary via Payal Doshi
The Katha Chest
by Radhiah Chowdhury, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu
Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster
Reminiscent of Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow’s Mommy’s Khimar, this beautifully woven tale about the bonds of love, culture, and memory follows a young girl learning about her family history through her grandmother’s katha chest.
Asiya loves to visit Nanu’s house where she can rummage through Nanu’s katha chest filled with quilts. There are stories in each of the quilts that her Nanu has collected through the years, all about the bold and brave women in Asiya’s family. Among all of the games and exciting things at Nanu’s house, Asiya thinks these hidden histories are the grandest treasure.
Summary and cover image via Edelweiss
This review was originally published in School Library Journal.
Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab
by Priya Huq
Abrams. Nov. 2021. 224p. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781419740169.
Gr 7 Up—In Portland, OR, in 2002, eighth grader Nisrin Moniruzzaman is proud to share her Bangladeshi heritage and cultural dress with her school community during a celebration of world cultures. But on her way home from school with a friend who is Black and Iranian, the girls suffer a violent racist attack, and Nisrin’s orna, a shawl-like scarf, is ripped from her head. In the following months, both girls struggle to heal. After visiting the home of a young cousin who wears a hijab, Nisrin decides to start wearing the headscarf as she begins high school. Her choice challenges her mother and her maternal grandparents, with whom she lives, and makes her a target for Islamophobia at school; it also serves as a catalyst for her to learn more about Islam and her family’s feelings about the religion, their experiences in Bangladesh, and the country’s tumultuous history, including Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan (although readers will need to look elsewhere for a nuanced account of conflict in the region). Vivid illustrations capture the characters’ raw feelings and move the narrative along quickly, making it feel slightly rushed at times. “A Guide to Bangladesh” written from the perspective of Nisrin at the end of the novel includes a map of the region and provides additional insight about the country, its people, and the author’s family.
VERDICT A solid addition to collections of all types and a welcome exploration of what it means to navigate the complexities of Muslim identity in the United States.
Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland Public Library, CA
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Page Street Books
When Humaira “Hani” Khan comes out to her friends as bisexual, they immediately doubt her. Apparently, she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Cornered into proving her sexuality, she tells them she’s dating someone—Ishita “Ishu” Dey, the straight A student who seems more concerned with studying than relationships.
When Hani approaches her about fake dating, she agrees on one condition–that Hani help her become more popular so she can win the school’s head girl election. It’s the perfect plan to help them achieve their goals, until Hani’s friends become jealous that she’s spending more time with Ishu. They’ll do everything they can to drive a wedge between them and ruin Ishu’s chances of becoming head girl.
Now, Hani has a decision to make: does she break off her relationship with Ishu for the sake of her friends? Or does she tell Ishu how she really feels and turn their “fake” relationship into something real?
Cover image and summary via author website