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Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood
Finalist 2014 Cybils Middle Grade Fiction
2015 Crystal Kite Winter (Texas/Oklahoma Chapter)
Thirteen-year-old Abby discovers that her long-lost father is Bollywood's biggest movie star. She travels to Mumbai to reconnect with the family she never knew.
What thirteen-year-old Abby wants most is to meet her father. She just never imagined he would be a huge film star―in Bollywood! Now she's traveling to Mumbai to get to know her famous father. Abby is overwhelmed by the culture clash, the pressures of being the daughter of India's most famous celebrity, and the burden of keeping her identity a secret. But as she learns to navigate her new surroundings, she just might discover where she really belongs.
2015 Crystal Kite Winter (Texas/Oklahoma Chapter)
Thirteen-year-old Abby discovers that her long-lost father is Bollywood's biggest movie star. She travels to Mumbai to reconnect with the family she never knew.
What thirteen-year-old Abby wants most is to meet her father. She just never imagined he would be a huge film star―in Bollywood! Now she's traveling to Mumbai to get to know her famous father. Abby is overwhelmed by the culture clash, the pressures of being the daughter of India's most famous celebrity, and the burden of keeping her identity a secret. But as she learns to navigate her new surroundings, she just might discover where she really belongs.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Varsha Bajaj
18 books110 followersVarsha Bajaj grew up in Mumbai, India. When she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by her awareness of the culture through books. In addition to her previous picture books, she wrote the middle-grade novel Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood, which was shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included on the Spirit of Texas Reading Program. She lives in Houston, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
March 5, 2014
Abby Spencer doesn't know her father. She knows the story of how her parents went separate ways after college - with him going all the way back to India - and her mother's attempts to contact him failed. But when she nearly dies from a surprise allergy, she and her mom know that it's time to contact him, if only to get his medical history.
Abby Spencer also doesn't know that her father is India's biggest movie star.
ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD is a Cinderella story wrapped up in a story about experiencing a new culture with a delicious cherry-on-top of complex family relationships. There's joy, there's frustration, there's sadness that communication never happened earlier. ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD is a super fun book, but it's not afraid to get real. Especially not when it comes to the viciousness of the paparazzi. (Strangely timely, considering current efforts in the US to prevent paparazzi from taking photos of celebrity's children.)
From the cover, I thought that ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD was a YA novel. However, Abby is thirteen and this is firmly middle grade territory. I do think that the cover means that an older teen reader won't be afraid to carry it around without shame. As it is middle grade, what little romance is included is sweet and pretty chaste. I thought it was cute and added to the story without taking away from the family drama.
I recommend ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD to readers interested in non-nuclear families, modern Indian culture, and anyone who has ever dreamed that their parent was a movie star all along.
Abby Spencer also doesn't know that her father is India's biggest movie star.
ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD is a Cinderella story wrapped up in a story about experiencing a new culture with a delicious cherry-on-top of complex family relationships. There's joy, there's frustration, there's sadness that communication never happened earlier. ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD is a super fun book, but it's not afraid to get real. Especially not when it comes to the viciousness of the paparazzi. (Strangely timely, considering current efforts in the US to prevent paparazzi from taking photos of celebrity's children.)
From the cover, I thought that ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD was a YA novel. However, Abby is thirteen and this is firmly middle grade territory. I do think that the cover means that an older teen reader won't be afraid to carry it around without shame. As it is middle grade, what little romance is included is sweet and pretty chaste. I thought it was cute and added to the story without taking away from the family drama.
I recommend ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD to readers interested in non-nuclear families, modern Indian culture, and anyone who has ever dreamed that their parent was a movie star all along.
December 17, 2013
I loved it this much...
February 10, 2014
Abby Spencer has never met her father. What she knows is that her American mother dated him in college, he went back to India, and his mother tried but couldn’t get in touch with him there. When Abby has an allergic reaction that might be hereditary, she and her mother try harder to reach him. He’s been elusive because he’s been going by a stage name. He’s now Naveen Kumar, big Bollywood superstar and heartthrob.
Soon Abby is on a plane to Mumbai to meet her estranged father, who had no idea about her existence. She’s wowed by the people, the city, and her famous father and his films. How do they break it to the public that he has a daughter? Will Abby be able to keep this secret until that time comes?
This was a fun, light read. I loved Abby’s voice, her real feelings about family, and her enthusiasm about India and her father’s side of the family. I’m sure the middle grade audience will adore this book. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
Soon Abby is on a plane to Mumbai to meet her estranged father, who had no idea about her existence. She’s wowed by the people, the city, and her famous father and his films. How do they break it to the public that he has a daughter? Will Abby be able to keep this secret until that time comes?
This was a fun, light read. I loved Abby’s voice, her real feelings about family, and her enthusiasm about India and her father’s side of the family. I’m sure the middle grade audience will adore this book. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
December 12, 2013
What a fresh premise! I loved tagging along with Abby on her journey to meet her long lost father. The descriptions of life in India, especially the dichotomy between Abby's film-star dad and the poorest of the poor, kept me glued to the page. A very sweet story!
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January 29, 2015
I loved this book!!! This book is about 13 year old Abby Spencer wanting to know the history of her unknown dad. She realizes something about her father that could change her life. I would give this book 5 stars out of 5. I could relate this book to my life because I am from India and so is Abby's dad. She describes her environment in Mumbai. Overall, I loved this book!
December 10, 2018
Devoured this in one sitting. Enjoyable, escapist middle grade fiction featuring a trip to India and a foray into Bollywood glitz and glamor.
March 27, 2019
This is basically what would happen if Shahid Kapoor and Salman Khan were the same person and had a mixed-race daughter, but they had the stardom of SRK. RTC???
February 17, 2014
More reviews at Mrs. ReaderPants.
IF THIS BOOK WERE FOOD, IT WOULD BE: mashed potatoes--easy, comfortable, not too spicy or too sweet
REVIEW: Abby Spencer is a cute story with a cute protagonist who behaves exactly as I would expect a thirteen-year old girl to behave in her situation.
Though the story begins in Houston, TX, the setting changes when Abby travels to Mumbai to meet her father for the first time. For me, Abby Spencer (both the book and the girl) are most interesting once Abby goes to Mumbai. I love how Abby talks about the beauty and crowds of Mumbai and notices the extreme poverty of the area. She compares this with her father's movie star lifestyle and her own life in Houston, and she does not miss the gaping discrepancies among them.
I love Abby's parents. They are not perfect, but they both really try to do right by their daughter. I also like that Abby's grandparents (on both sides) play significant roles in Abby's life.
There is a little romance between Abby and a boy she meets in Mumbai who happens to live in Dallas, TX. It's an okay romance, appropriately clean for the young ages of the characters. I didn't like that the boy happened to live in Dallas. It's overly convenient, and the characters are too young to attempt a long-distance relationship/ friendship--I wish the boy lived in Mumbai and Abby could see him when she visited as she grew older. To me, that would make for a cuter romance if Bajaj ever wrote a sequel.
Speaking of romance...if Bajaj ever writes a New Adult romance/prequel featuring Abby's college-age parents, I would be all over that. I would love to know more about how they met and their relationship!
THE BOTTOM LINE: It's cute and clean and will have a middle school audience.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: On order.
READALIKES: Bindi Babes (Dhami)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 3/5--cute but somewhat average
Creativity: 3/5--it's pretty typical girl-meets-father fare except for that Mumbai setting
Characters: 4/5--bonus point for the parents
Engrossing: 4/5--I finished it in a few hours
Writing: 4/5
Appeal to teens: 4/5--girls, mainly
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: very mild; some simulated profanity such as "Oh, Schmidt!"
Sexuality: mild; one chaste kiss; out of wedlock pregnancy; "sexy" dancing in movies/videos; Abby's toned, shirtless father is all over Mumbai billboards (this embarrasses Abby)
Violence: very mild; paparazzi harasses Abby's father and will stop at nothing to get a photo
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Social issues: homeless children, extreme poverty, homeless street dogs
January 10, 2015
Abby Tara Spencer has never known her father. It is a huge surprise, therefore, when she learns that he is Naveen Kumar, a big Bollywood star in India, and that because of a miscommunication years ago, he doesn't even know she exists! Once he learns about Abby, Naveen invites her to spend some time with him in Mumbai, where Abby encounters unpleasant members of the press, a beautiful Bollywood actress named Rani and a cute boy her own age named Shaan.
I chose to read this book because it was a middle grade fiction finalist for the 2014 Cybils. I am surprised, therefore, by how utterly disappointing it is. The chief problem is the sheer number of typos and tense errors scattered throughout the book. The copy I read was not an ARC, but a finished copy borrowed from the library, and it had so many mistakes, especially in the middle of the book, that I kept tripping over them. I was so distracted by some of the errors, I had to read entire pages twice to make sure I understood them. Because the novel is written in first person from Abby's point of view, these mistakes also made her voice come across as awkward even in moments when it was not intended to be so. I don't understand how such a poorly edited manuscript could have made it through the publication process!
Editing issues aside, this book is light-hearted, fast-paced and exciting, especially for girls who dream of fame and fortune. The reader does have to suspend her disbelief quite a bit to imagine that a girl of thirteen has never Googled her absent father, or that a father would not find out about his daughter's existence because of just one misplaced letter, but some kids don't mind those kind of unlikely plot twists if they make the story more interesting. The romance is just right for the middle grade age group, and Abby is largely a good kid, even if she does a couple of things she shouldn't. Still, there are a number of contrived events, and the story as a whole doesn't really ring true.
This book does meet the demand for more books starring characters from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Like The Great Greene Heist, it may be receiving more praise than is truly warranted because of its contribution to the diversity cause, but if the goal is to have more mediocre diverse books, this one fits the bill.
For a much better portrayal of the Bollywood film industry, read The Grand Plan to Fix Everything and its sequel, The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic.
I chose to read this book because it was a middle grade fiction finalist for the 2014 Cybils. I am surprised, therefore, by how utterly disappointing it is. The chief problem is the sheer number of typos and tense errors scattered throughout the book. The copy I read was not an ARC, but a finished copy borrowed from the library, and it had so many mistakes, especially in the middle of the book, that I kept tripping over them. I was so distracted by some of the errors, I had to read entire pages twice to make sure I understood them. Because the novel is written in first person from Abby's point of view, these mistakes also made her voice come across as awkward even in moments when it was not intended to be so. I don't understand how such a poorly edited manuscript could have made it through the publication process!
Editing issues aside, this book is light-hearted, fast-paced and exciting, especially for girls who dream of fame and fortune. The reader does have to suspend her disbelief quite a bit to imagine that a girl of thirteen has never Googled her absent father, or that a father would not find out about his daughter's existence because of just one misplaced letter, but some kids don't mind those kind of unlikely plot twists if they make the story more interesting. The romance is just right for the middle grade age group, and Abby is largely a good kid, even if she does a couple of things she shouldn't. Still, there are a number of contrived events, and the story as a whole doesn't really ring true.
This book does meet the demand for more books starring characters from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Like The Great Greene Heist, it may be receiving more praise than is truly warranted because of its contribution to the diversity cause, but if the goal is to have more mediocre diverse books, this one fits the bill.
For a much better portrayal of the Bollywood film industry, read The Grand Plan to Fix Everything and its sequel, The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic.
May 19, 2014
SO MUCH FUN! After spending her first thirteen years with no knowledge of her father, Abby discovers that he not only wants to be her dad after all, but he's pretty much the king of Bollywood - and of course she's flown out to meet him! It's a delicious fantasy, but what made me love it was the warm heart at the center of the story. I loved Abby, her exuberance, her sense of fun, and her deep vulnerabilities. I loved the adults in the story, too, with their complicated relationships. What happened between her parents was deeply frustrating and in some ways tragic, but there were no out-and-out bad guys in their story, and that made it so much more interesting. The writing style didn't always work for me, personally, but the storytelling was AMAZING - I was so gripped by it, from the first moment that Abby asked her mom about the story of her dad, I just could not stop reading! I devoured it. I'd love to read a sequel, just because the characters and situation are so much fun, but really, I'll happily read whatever Varsha Bajaj writes next. A fabulous discovery!
November 12, 2013
Received ARC from NetGalley.
I LOVE Abby! She's cute and witty, and like most teens, a bit clumsy. But it's her coconut allergy that spurs a search for her dad, whom Abby has never met. Not only does she find him, but WHOA! he's a Bollywood superstar and India's #1 celeb! Naturally, she's ecstatic when Dad books airfare for her to visit him for a week. It's a fairytale come true, right? Uh...remember when I said she's a bit clumsy?
The author, Varsha Bajaj, has a wonderful middle-grade voice, bringing Abby to life in a fun and adventurous way. I look forward to more novels from her.
A great read. I definitely rate it E, for Everyone.
I LOVE Abby! She's cute and witty, and like most teens, a bit clumsy. But it's her coconut allergy that spurs a search for her dad, whom Abby has never met. Not only does she find him, but WHOA! he's a Bollywood superstar and India's #1 celeb! Naturally, she's ecstatic when Dad books airfare for her to visit him for a week. It's a fairytale come true, right? Uh...remember when I said she's a bit clumsy?
The author, Varsha Bajaj, has a wonderful middle-grade voice, bringing Abby to life in a fun and adventurous way. I look forward to more novels from her.
A great read. I definitely rate it E, for Everyone.
October 11, 2013
I read this as an eARC from Netgalley. It's a fun story about an Indian-American girl who goes to India to meet her father, a Bollywood star. It mixes family, friends, humor, first love, and discovering more family and India itself. Anyone who loves Uma Krishnaswami's The Grand Plan to Fix Everything will love this book. Very highly recommended.
Read
December 31, 2013What a fun journey! I adored Abby and loved traveling to India with her!
April 22, 2015
This book is super cute and a lot of fun. It's definitely a fairy tale type of a story, but that is part of its charm. It will be one I know kids will enjoy.
May 20, 2015
2.5 stars
It was a decent middle-grade novel about a girl who discovers that her father is an Indian Bollywood star. Think 'What a Girl Wants' set in India.
It was a decent middle-grade novel about a girl who discovers that her father is an Indian Bollywood star. Think 'What a Girl Wants' set in India.
Read
May 3, 2018This book was so cute! I don't read a lot of middle grade but I loved the sound of this one.
Abby's mother found out she was pregnant after her college boyfriend moved back to India. She was able to contact his family but he never returned her calls. Now thirteen, Abby develops an allergy that starts her asking more questions than ever before about her father's side of the family.
Her father changed his name and became a famous actor after he returned to India. Attempts to contact him for his medical history are finally successful. Now he wants to get to know her but it all needs to be carefully controlled because he is a huge star and he needs to control his image.
Abby's a biracial child who has never had any contact with the Indian part of identity. There is tension between her parents because of her father being absent for all of her life. Her father is used to calling the shots in his life and her mother is not about to just go along with his ideas now that he's back in the picture. Abby's also finding out that her wealthy father's life in India is not typical for the country.
The book does a good job of making each of the characters multidimensional. All of them have well developed concerns and personalities. I really hoped that there was a sequel to see what came next in their lives because there is so much to explore but there isn't a second book. That made me sad. I didn't want to leave these characters behind.This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
June 16, 2023
Abby Spencer nearly died. At an ice cream shop... right in front of the cute Counter Guy. Why? Because this was the very first time she'd ever eaten coconut, and she's deathly allergic. Who knew?
Turns out, her dad could have told her that. IF he knew she existed, which he didn't.
Who IS Abby's dad? Abby can't believe it, but he's only the biggest, hottest Bollywood movie star in India, that's who. After the coconut scare, her mom decides to try ONE MORE TIME to get in touch with him, and this time, they connect.
Once he knows about her, her dad wants to meet her. So Abby Spencer goes to Bollywood -- and it all started with a simple ice cream topping.
REVIEW: Lite, slightly romantic (a little hand holding and one kiss), fun adventure story. A peek into the different sides of Mumbai -- rich and poor -- and cultural explorations by Abby and friends. She navigates a relationship with two single parents who've never married and aren't divorced. They're amicable, but not in love. Nice grandparents in both countries, good friends, etc. A few grammatical errors (wrong verb tenses) are distracting, but a fun read without much substance or anything really objectionable.
Turns out, her dad could have told her that. IF he knew she existed, which he didn't.
Who IS Abby's dad? Abby can't believe it, but he's only the biggest, hottest Bollywood movie star in India, that's who. After the coconut scare, her mom decides to try ONE MORE TIME to get in touch with him, and this time, they connect.
Once he knows about her, her dad wants to meet her. So Abby Spencer goes to Bollywood -- and it all started with a simple ice cream topping.
REVIEW: Lite, slightly romantic (a little hand holding and one kiss), fun adventure story. A peek into the different sides of Mumbai -- rich and poor -- and cultural explorations by Abby and friends. She navigates a relationship with two single parents who've never married and aren't divorced. They're amicable, but not in love. Nice grandparents in both countries, good friends, etc. A few grammatical errors (wrong verb tenses) are distracting, but a fun read without much substance or anything really objectionable.
August 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!! It has just enough mix of family,humor,and romance!!
Abby Spencer never knew her dad nor did she know that he was Bollywoods top actor. When sh tries to secretly reach out to him he doesnt answer,until one day he does...but her mom gets to the phone first and finds out what Abby was trying to do. So they agree to talk to each other face-to-face. And thats when Abby is given a huge decision. Stay where she is with all her family and put her dad out of her mind OR go visit her dad in BOLLYWOOD FOR A WEEK!!!! With this decision Abby is put into a world that amazes her every step of the way,she learns more about the other part of her that she never knew was there! Plus a cute boy wants to be her guide!
Abby Spencer never knew her dad nor did she know that he was Bollywoods top actor. When sh tries to secretly reach out to him he doesnt answer,until one day he does...but her mom gets to the phone first and finds out what Abby was trying to do. So they agree to talk to each other face-to-face. And thats when Abby is given a huge decision. Stay where she is with all her family and put her dad out of her mind OR go visit her dad in BOLLYWOOD FOR A WEEK!!!! With this decision Abby is put into a world that amazes her every step of the way,she learns more about the other part of her that she never knew was there! Plus a cute boy wants to be her guide!
May 5, 2021
I reminder reading this a couple years ago... It ended up being an AMAZING book! The only reason I had picked it up at my library was because the girl on the cover looks like the girl who modeled for Ari on the “11 before 12” cover... 🤔 It could very well be the same person! Yes, that is all I have to say in my review 😂
The cover of the only reason I remember ever reading this book—I vaguely rennet the plot, but now that I’ve read the description, I remember it well now! I knew the title had “Bollywood” in it so I looked up “Bollywood” in my library catalog and sure enough, there it was on the second page!
Sorry—no one is probably going to read my rambling 😂
Edit: Waittttt a minuteeeeee!!!! The picture of the girl on here is the EXACT same picture on the “11 before 12” cover 🤯
The cover of the only reason I remember ever reading this book—I vaguely rennet the plot, but now that I’ve read the description, I remember it well now! I knew the title had “Bollywood” in it so I looked up “Bollywood” in my library catalog and sure enough, there it was on the second page!
Sorry—no one is probably going to read my rambling 😂
Edit: Waittttt a minuteeeeee!!!! The picture of the girl on here is the EXACT same picture on the “11 before 12” cover 🤯
November 5, 2022
My great aunt bought this book and got it signed for me when I was 11. Growing up in America with immigrant parents from India can be tough and I struggle with finding a place even to this day at age 18. I kind of found a way to relate to Abby. I can’t imagine what it would be like to not even know half of who you are. I firmly believe your ancestors and your heritage makes up a lot of who you are. The identity crisis must’ve his hard. Loved this book then and I love it still now.
September 28, 2025
A super fun book. Abby's always wanted to get to know her dad, but she knows very little about him. One day after random allergy attack, she reaches out to her mom and asks. She soon discovers the identity of her dad: a super famous Bollywood star! A really fun read complete with the first trip to India!
November 29, 2017
I really liked this book. This book is about a girl named Abby Spencer. Her mum is American and her dad is Indian. She lives with her mum in New York and her dad lives in India. Her mum doesn't talk about her Dad too much and Abby wants to learn about him... Have Fun reading this terrific book!!!!
November 9, 2018
3.5. Very cute, and perfectly fits a reading need- very young YA with a hint of drama and romance but where everything is still ok at the end. And the voice was authentic, if a bit annoying (which is authentic, I suppose)
July 10, 2017
gr 5-8 250pgs
13 year old Abby discovers that her father is a famous Bollywood actor and he invites her to India for a visit.
Recommend to readers who enjoy Cabot's Princess Diaries series
13 year old Abby discovers that her father is a famous Bollywood actor and he invites her to India for a visit.
Recommend to readers who enjoy Cabot's Princess Diaries series
February 2, 2018
I liked this book a lot because I could really understand the book and it was just perfect for me.
July 9, 2018
barely 2
February 27, 2020
good book
August 27, 2021
Abby spencer is allergic to coconut lmaoooooooooooo that got you two stars otherwise nope
and she is wierd and wierd and wierder lamaœ
and she is wierd and wierd and wierder lamaœ
December 14, 2013
Abby Tara Spencer has spent her whole thirteen years wondering what her Dad was like - and most of all why he wasn't part of her life. When a severe allergic reaction to coconut topping on her frozen yogurt sends Abby to the hospital, her Mom decides it's time to tell her the whole story of what happened with her Dad all those years ago. They also decide to try and contact him for a full medical history, for Abby's sake. When they find him, things turn out more different than any of them expected. Especially Abby's Dad, who is a huge Bollywood movie star in India and didn't know she existed! Going to India to meet him and her ailing Grandmother is more than Abby ever imagined. But can they really fit into one another's lives after all these years? And what happens when the paparazzi catches wind of things? Is Abby's new-found relationship with her Dad over before it even begins?
I usually steer clear of middle grade novels. Not out of any serious dislike or aversion, but because I sometimes find myself struggling to sympathize with or remember those in-between years as I'm reading about characters in that age group. It's uncomfortable for me, makes me feel old, and causes me to give lukewarm reviews to match my feelings (in all but a few special cases usually). I'd rather avoid the whole process if at all possible. Occasionally one still manages to get into my to-read pile, when the synopsis interests me enough to overlook the classification and main character's age. This is one that managed to slip through. May I also just say how seriously impressed I am that Albert Whitman & Company put a cover on this that represents the true heritage of the main character and didn't whitewash it!!! That fact I have to say this and be surprised by it (pleasantly) is sad in today's world. But many characters/books aren't represented accurately by their covers. Thank you to the publisher for doing right by this one!
I must say that I really enjoyed this one! Abby was portrayed extremely realistically for a thirteen year old girl, with a close and happy family. Her friends were supportive and happy when she found her Dad, but also voices of reason. I particularly love Abby's relationship with her Mom for not being the single Mom, Gilmore Girls stereotype of a relationship. I loved that they were close, but her Mom was without a doubt the parent in that family. Her Grandparents were also very supportive and sweet, even when Abby went to visit her Dad. I loved the glimpses into Mumbai that we got once Abby was there, and seeing the culture of everyday India juxtaposed with the excesses of Bollywood, through the eyes of a sheltered American girl. Yet we also got to see the fun side of things, with Abby making friends with a boy named Shaan and them being tagged as extras on her Dad's movie set. Probably the only reason I can't say this book is perfect is the cliche way that Abby's existence got into the media and the crappy way her Dad handled it at first. Although I seriously loved the ending, which made up for that almost completely. Also, the truth about why the letter Abby's Mom sent never got to her Dad was well-handled too. It didn't make her Grandpa into a villain, just a man who made a mistake. This is where I'll leave things so I don't give any major spoilers, but it was a wonderful book and I highly recommend this even if middle-grade isn't normally your thing. This one was worth stepping out of my comfort zone! :)
VERDICT: 4/5 Stars
*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, Albert Whitman & Company, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is March 1st, 2014.*
I usually steer clear of middle grade novels. Not out of any serious dislike or aversion, but because I sometimes find myself struggling to sympathize with or remember those in-between years as I'm reading about characters in that age group. It's uncomfortable for me, makes me feel old, and causes me to give lukewarm reviews to match my feelings (in all but a few special cases usually). I'd rather avoid the whole process if at all possible. Occasionally one still manages to get into my to-read pile, when the synopsis interests me enough to overlook the classification and main character's age. This is one that managed to slip through. May I also just say how seriously impressed I am that Albert Whitman & Company put a cover on this that represents the true heritage of the main character and didn't whitewash it!!! That fact I have to say this and be surprised by it (pleasantly) is sad in today's world. But many characters/books aren't represented accurately by their covers. Thank you to the publisher for doing right by this one!
I must say that I really enjoyed this one! Abby was portrayed extremely realistically for a thirteen year old girl, with a close and happy family. Her friends were supportive and happy when she found her Dad, but also voices of reason. I particularly love Abby's relationship with her Mom for not being the single Mom, Gilmore Girls stereotype of a relationship. I loved that they were close, but her Mom was without a doubt the parent in that family. Her Grandparents were also very supportive and sweet, even when Abby went to visit her Dad. I loved the glimpses into Mumbai that we got once Abby was there, and seeing the culture of everyday India juxtaposed with the excesses of Bollywood, through the eyes of a sheltered American girl. Yet we also got to see the fun side of things, with Abby making friends with a boy named Shaan and them being tagged as extras on her Dad's movie set. Probably the only reason I can't say this book is perfect is the cliche way that Abby's existence got into the media and the crappy way her Dad handled it at first. Although I seriously loved the ending, which made up for that almost completely. Also, the truth about why the letter Abby's Mom sent never got to her Dad was well-handled too. It didn't make her Grandpa into a villain, just a man who made a mistake. This is where I'll leave things so I don't give any major spoilers, but it was a wonderful book and I highly recommend this even if middle-grade isn't normally your thing. This one was worth stepping out of my comfort zone! :)
VERDICT: 4/5 Stars
*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, Albert Whitman & Company, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is March 1st, 2014.*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews