American Betiya

December 1, 2020

Gr 10 Up-A traditional Indian American girl meets a troubled white boy in this forbidden romance novel. Dutiful 18-year-old daughter Rani Kelkar abides by her conservative parents' rules and is on a path for success: well-liked in her community, helpful with younger cousins, straight-A student, and on the road to become a pediatrician. Oliver Jensen lives with his alcoholic mother, his father is long gone, and his sister is pregnant with a married man's child. When the teens meet at an art exhibit, where Rani is displaying her photography project and Oliver his paintings, they fall for each other despite Rani's parents' strict no-dating rule. When they begin going out in secret, Rani makes it clear Oliver is not to pursue her during the day or show up to her home. As their relationship deepens, Oliver starts asking for more, which Rani is not willing to give for fear of her parents' reaction. As he spirals out of control, a shocking event makes Rani question everything she has ever felt for him. This story is fast-paced and readers will initially root for this young love, but when Oliver starts stereotyping Rani, they will side with her as she pushes back. Rajurkar describes how harmful microaggressions can be, and that being brown in modern-day America can be dangerous at times. The conservative, oppressive parents trope is somewhat tiresome, but it's interesting to see how Rani juggles her heritage with trying to be a regular Illinois girl. VERDICT A good purchase for high school collections.-Carol Youssif, Taipei American Sch., Taiwan

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2021
When Indian American 18-year-old Rani catches tattooed art student Oliver checking her out, she thinks she must be imagining it; boys haven't been romantically interested in her. Even though Rani's traditional Indian immigrant parents have made it clear that she is not allowed to date, when Oliver, a White boy, asks her out, she says yes, launching herself into what feels like a perfect high school romance. Even Rani's cynical best friend, Kate, approves of the relationship--an endorsement that helps Rani convince herself that sneaking around with Oliver is worth it. But as the two grow closer, and as Oliver's troubled family life spirals out of control, he begins to ask more from Rani than she is able to give and to exhibit troublingly racist attitudes and behaviors that Rani finds increasingly difficult to ignore. Eventually, she finds herself struggling to balance the demands of Oliver and her parents, all the while trying to be true to herself. Rani demonstrates greater awareness of intersectionality in a U.S. context than she does of her status in regard to her family's high-caste Hindu identity, perhaps reflecting her upbringing within a tight immigrant social circle. Rani and Oliver's passion is well written, and Rani's spirited and honest voice authentically leads readers through the challenges and thrills of an interracial and cross-cultural teen romance. This heartbreaking love story is a strong debut and an entertaining read. An interracial teen romance that unflinchingly tackles racism and patriarchy. (Fiction. 14-18)

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