I was interested in this book because graphic novels can often help make an unfamiliar culture or setting more accessible. This story of Priyanka, an Indian girl living in America, is one a lot of second generation kids may relate too. Their parents' lives and motivations are a mystery, especially if they haven't been to their country. So many immigrants come here for a better life, for many different reasons. What's unique about this story is the magical pashmina. Somehow, it connects Priyanka to India in a way she didn't expect. While there were a few parts that were confusing, it came together at the end. And there is a short glossary at the end to explain some of the language. I will definitely add this to the classroom library.

When Priyani puts on the pashmina that she finds in a hallway closet, she is transported to India, and author Nidhi Chanani's black and white artwork is transformed into rich color. Priyani is greeted by new friends Kanta and Mayur (an elephant and a peacock), her tour guides through her mother's home country. She's captivated by the sights, sounds, and tastes, but she's also pursued by a mysterious shadow figure. The pashmina slips off, and Pri is back home again, desperately hoping to talk her mother into letting her travel to India IRL. Her mother relents after receiving a phone call from Pri's aunt, who is pregnant and seeking family to support her. This middle-grade graphic novel charmingly depicts the many ups and downs of a mother-daughter relationship, the pashmina's true purpose, and the importance of connecting with one's familial culture. It's a wonderful choices for readers who find themselves somewhere in between Raina Telgemeier's and Lucy Knisley's books.

Pashmina is the story of Priyanka "Pri" as she tries to uncover her mother's complicated relationship with India and her own relationship with her mother. The story itself is a really great story of identity and family. The artwork of the novel is beautiful. The story switches between black and white and color panels as Pri moves from the real world to the world of the pashmina. It's stunning and effective. Overall, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It would be a wonderful book for students wanting to learn more about identity or ones that want to explore the world of graphic novels but aren't sure where to start.

Priyanka, a young Indian-American being raised by a single mother, is an aspiring graphic novelist who yearns to learn about her father and her mother's family in India. After winning a comic contest, and a little magic, Priyanka gets to meet her aunt in India and learn about everything she'd been wanting to know. But Priyanka didn't expect the news she would learn.

I love the bright colors used when the Pashmina is working its magic. It allows readers to better experience what the person wearing the pashmina is experiencing. I also like the glossary at the end, to help readers like me who might not have quite figured out the meaning even with the context clues.

Pashmina is a story about Priyanka, an American-Indian teen who wants to know more about her Indian heritage, but when she asks her mother, her mother skirts around the topic and won’t divulge anything about Indian or the family she left behind, including Priyanka’s father. Priyanka finds a magical Pashmina that transports her to a fantasy version of India. This sparks a new desire to visit India and see firsthand the country, heritage, and family she was never able to grow up with.

This story is a great look at family, heritage, and first generation immigrants. The fantasy realism aspects feel whimsical and fun. I actually felt like this book could have been longer and gone more in depth in the relationships among the adults and secondary characters. I felt like I didn’t get to “know” many of the characters in three dimensions.

A little too comic, and not graphic novel for my tastes. But it has a good story to it none the less.

I found this book to be slow getting started, but once Priyanka got to India and started learning about her family history and the background of the pashmina, I was completely engaged. I'm a little confused as to why the visions presented an idealized version of the women's choices rather than a more accurate one, but overall, I really liked the themes of empowerment. I think this book could pair nicely with Jimmy Gownley's The Dumbest Idea Ever or Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward.