All Mixed Up - by Raj Tawney (Hardcover)

About the Book

"It's 2002--less than one year after the September 11th attacks--and sixth-grader Kamal Rao is tackling a brave new world of challenges, including figuring out who he really is and how he fits in. Even with New York City in its backyard, the suburban town where he lives is anything but open-minded. That means Kamal--frequently picked on and feeling ostracized--usually spends his time alone, making mud pies in the backyard or cooking recipes with his mom and grandma from his family's three cultures. Then, one day, a Pakistani immigrant named Jaz arrives at school, entering Kamal's life and challenging his sluggish movement through the world. As the two boys forge a friendship over their love of exploring the outdoors and eating good food, the newcomer begins to show Kamal how being 'different' isn't a bad thing at all. For the first time, a fire is lit within Kamal--but what will happen when questions of Jaz's origins and his intentions begin to come into question at school and in their town?"--

Book Synopsis

A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS 2024 PICK!
A FOREWARD INDIES 2024 FINALIST FOR JUVENILE FICTION!

From New York Times essayist Raj Tawney comes All Mixed Up, a powerful middle-grade novel that explores identity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up in a post 9/11 world.

Set in 2002, this compelling story follows Kamal Rao, a sixth grader navigating the complexities of life in a suburban town that is far from inclusive. Kamal, a multi-ethnic American boy, often feels out of place and isolated, spending his days creating mud pies or cooking traditional family recipes alongside his mother and grandmother, drawing from their diverse cultural heritage.

Kamal's life takes an unexpected turn when Jaz, a Pakistani immigrant, joins his school. Together, they bond over their love for the outdoors and delicious food, forming a friendship that pushes Kamal to reconsider what it means to be different. Through Jaz, Kamal discovers the strength and beauty in his unique identity.

But as their friendship deepens, the community's suspicion toward Jaz surfaces, putting their bond to the test. Kamal must decide whether to stand by his friend, risking his own safety and his family's trust, in a society that questions Jaz's presence and intentions.

All Mixed Up is an insightful, heartwarming novel based on the author's real-life experiences, offering a fresh voice in children's fiction. Young readers will be captivated by Kamal's journey of self-discovery, learning about empathy, resilience, and the importance of standing up for what's right.

Key Features:
Timely Themes Addresses identity, inclusion, and cultural diversity in a post 9/11 context.
Relatable Protagonist: Kamal's internal struggles resonate with middle-grade readers facing similar challenges.
Friendship and Growth: Highlights the power of friendship in overcoming prejudice and personal growth.
Cultural Exploration: Showcases multi-ethnic traditions through food and family dynamics.
Emotional Depth: Encourages discussions about belonging and empathy.

Benefits for Readers:
Cultural Awareness: Helps readers appreciate different cultures and the richness they bring to communities.
Empathy Building: Fosters understanding of the impact of discrimination and the value of standing up for friends.
Self-Discovery: Inspires young readers to embrace their identities and find strength in their uniqueness.
Critical Thinking: Promotes discussions about societal issues, encouraging readers to think critically about their own communities.

All Mixed Up is more than just a story; it's a beacon of hope and understanding, leaving an indelible mark on readers of all backgrounds.

Review Quotes

Publishers Weekly
June 13, 2024
All Mixed Up
Raj Tawney. Paw Prints, $17.99 (208p) ISBN 978-1-223-18855-3
On Long Island in 2002, middle schooler Kamal Rao feels out of place among his family and his mostly white classmates. With a father from India and a Puerto Rican and Italian mother, Kamal believes that he's "too 'other' for the town, and too American for my brown cousins." He's unexpectedly saved from bullies by schoolmate Jaz, "an immigrant who very clearly isn't from here." Jaz informs Kamal that he's from Karachi, Pakistan, where he learned English by watching American movies in school. To Kamal, Jaz is fearless, funny, and weird ("So am I, and it feels great"). But heightened racism following September 11, 2001, threatens their bond, and Jaz's fear of deportation leads Kamal to suspect that Jaz is hiding something about his past. Through Jaz's infectious bravado and his and Kamal's anchoring friendship, Tawney (Colorful Palate, for adults) presents an earnest depiction of two outcasts finding comfort in each other while navigating societal tension in this brief interrogation of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attitudes. The narrative features ample nostalgic details of the time period, which are informed by the author's personal experiences, as addressed in an endnote. Ages 9-11. (Oct.)

Foreword Reviews
November/December 2024

In Raj Tawney's perceptive novel All Mixed Up, a multiracial boy contends with bullying and finds friendship in the aftermath of 9/11.
Kamal's father is from India. His mother is a New Yorker with Italian and Puerto Rican roots. At home, Kamal relishes diverse culinary flavors and is at ease, but at school, he's scapegoated. He feels simultaneous shame, cultural pride, and confusion over his mixed identity. Though his own self-consciousness about being brown sometimes heightens matters, he also tries to deflect his peers' negative attention with humor.

Then Kamal meets Jaz, a Pakistani student whose irrepressible smile is refreshing but who is secretive about his background. Every day, Kamal and Jaz face microaggressions and prejudice, including a teacher's insinuations about refugees, Islamophobic sentiments, and a classmate's "fresh off the boat" comments. Kamal is sensitive: he bristles when he hears a classmate comparing Jaz's looks to those of a suspected terrorist and when his grandmother expresses opinions that startle him, and he worries about Jaz's precarious home situation.

Concerns surrounding undocumented immigration gain urgency as they accumulate, including with the threat of a child's deportation. The story includes tough, illuminating conversations about when to speak up about undocumented people, when to stay silent for the sake of their safety, and when to understand that even adults don't have all of the answers. Its treatment of sensitive political topics is humane, reflected in Kamal's growing emotional maturity.

In the touching novel All Mixed Up, a middle school student faces prejudice but also makes a friend with whom he feels understood. Plotted in gripping stages, the story culminates with hope.

--Karen Rigby

"Raj Tawney's books, including this one, are bite-sized treasures. Like anyone who cooks knows, it's all about the quality of the ingredients and the love you put in it. Tawney has both in droves. You don't just leave his writing satisfied, you leave it with a new taste lingering on the tongue, discovery; a new kernel of understanding, and that's exactly what makes a writer you want to follow. All Mixed Up is a journey into bravery and I can say with certainty one thing: I'll want to read anything Raj Tawney writes because his writing is pure light."--Vanessa Garcia, author of What the Bread Says (@vanessagarciawriter)

A middle grade read about fitting in and being different that I know I'll be adding to my sixth grade classroom library.--Brynn Allison, ELA Teacher (@theliterarymaven)

Textured and complex story. [All Mixed Up] deals with serious topics, but the tone remains sweet, the characters all drawn with love. And it's relevant if you want to process frustrating memories of the early 2000s or process what's going on today.--- Surabhi Balachander (@surabhi.reading)

About the Author

Raj Tawney is a writer and journalist whose work largely reflects his mixed-race upbringing in suburban Long Island, NY. Born to an Indian, Puerto Rican, and Italian American family, Tawney has explored his identity through personal essays published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and other outlets throughout the country. His debut memoir Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience (Fordham University Press) was published in 2023 to much acclaim. He is based in Miami, Florida.