This is my first time reading a book by author Saadia Faruqi, and wow, am I blown away! I think this book handles a lot of difficult topics including divorce, abandonment by a parent, poverty. class structure (and more) in a very relatable way for middle grade readers. I know my own two girls, ages 8 and 12, will enjoy reading this one and discussing which girl they identified with more. What a terrific book!

Mimi and her mom have traveled to Karachi, Pakistan for the summer. Until now, Mimi has only known her grandparents through Skype, and her mom has shared so little about growing up in Pakistan that Mimi is shocked to find out that her grandparents are rich and have numerous servants. One of the servants, Sakina, is her age.

Sakina helps her father with cooking and serving. She dreams of going to school but knows her family cannot afford to lose her salary, especially since her dad’s diabetes is getting worse, and they can’t afford the medication. However, she recently took a test to get into a school; if she can pass the English part of the test on the re-take, she might win a full scholarship to the school.

Through alternating viewpoints, the reader gets to know each girl, and sees the differing life experiences and perspectives. The events of this summer will have a lasting impact on both of them.

This book was enjoyable and hard to put down. It’s one that would be excellent for read alouds. It can serve as a mentor text as well. I felt as though I got to know each girl and understand the others through the girls’ perspectives. This is one I will read again, and I will share it in my children’s literature class as well.

I recommend this to readers who enjoy books about friendship, family, summer, and finding one’s strength. I also recommend it to teachers as a read aloud for fun and/or as a mentor text.