Pashmina - by Nidhi Chanani (Paperback)

About the Book

A heartfelt graphic novel debut for young adults about an Indian-American teen's attempt to reconnect with her mother's homeland through a magical pashmina shawl. Full color.

Book Synopsis

A Junior Library Guild Selection
Amazon Top Twenty Children's Book of the Year
Amazon Best Book of the Month
Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
Texas Maverick Graphic Novel
Northern California Indie Bookseller Association Long-List Title

A heartfelt coming-of-age story about identity, heritage, and the search for belonging between two worlds

Priyanka Das has so many unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? What was it like there? And most importantly, who is her father, and why did her mom leave him behind? But Pri's mom avoids these questions--the topic of India is permanently closed.

For Pri, her mother's homeland can only exist in her imagination. That is, until she find a mysterious pashmina tucked away in a forgotten suitcase. When she wraps herself in it, she is transported to a place more vivid and colorful than any guidebook or Bollywood film. But is this the real India? And what is that shadow lurking in the background? To learn the truth, Pri must travel farther than she's ever dared and find the family she never knew.

Tender, magical, and emotionally resonant, Pashmina explores:

- cultural identity and the immigrant experience
- mother-daughter relationships
- fantasy as a lens for emotional truth
- self-discovery and belonging
- and the tension between imagination and reality

This title has Common Core connections.

Review Quotes

"Chanani masterfully turns the complex immigrant narrative into a magical and captivating work of art." --New York Times

"Chanani's debut graphic novel is a charming blend of fantasy and reality with a feminist twist." --Washington Post

"In this spectacular debut graphic novel, a young woman searches for the truths of her past." --Teen Vogue

"Colorful and deeply personal, Pashmina illuminates the experience of an Indian-American teenager and invites us to contemplate the power of our choices." --Gene Luen Yang, national bestselling author of American Born Chinese

"Pashmina is filled to the brim with magic and heart." --Victoria Jamieson, author or Roller Girl

"Most impressive is the way Chanani keeps the story's distinct and fascinating plot elements spinning. One work can't represent a whole subcontinent, but readers will come away with a living sense of a small part of it--and characters to care about." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This dazzling blend of realistic fiction and fantasy is perfect for fans of characters who have to overcome obstacles on their way to growing up." --School and Library Journal, starred review

"An original graphic novel written and illustrated by an Indian-American creator, this is both a needed contribution and a first-rate adventure tale." --Kirkus

"Chanani's debut is a lively, engaging exploration of culture, heritage, and self-discovery." --Booklist

"Fantasy with humor and substance, this is a book for girls seeking empowerment and agency." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About the Author

Nidhi Chanani was born in Kolkata, India, and raised in Southern California. She holds a degree in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She creates illustrations that capture the love in everyday moments. In 2012 she was honored at the White House as a Champion of Change for her art. Her illustrations are sold in boutiques along the West Coast and she's worked with companies like Disney and Hasbro. Nidhi lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband, daughter, and two cats. Pashmina is her first graphic novel.