Rajani LaRocca Red, White, and Whole Newbery Honor Novel in Verse

Rajiv

March 19, 2021

A beautiful family tale

“Red, White, and Whole” is the first book I read by the author, and I am already a fan!

Firstly, I have to applaud the author for writing the story so beautifully. She writes each chapter in a simple, poetic manner. Yet, the words are so powerful that it leaves an impact on you. It is truly one of my favorite books of 2021.

Secondly, the author portrayed Reha perfectly! As an Indian, who also grew up abroad, I could relate to Reha’s character. She doesn’t feel like she belongs in both worlds, and I thought the author captured her feelings. Moreover, the author realistically wrote her friends. Rachel and Pete are not Indians, but they have no problem befriending Reha and supporting her.

Apart from the characters, the author also adds many details to the plot. I loved the first half of the story because the author highlights various Indian cultures of the family. However, the second half had me emotional as Reha tries to help her mother during the unfortunate situation. The story will tug at your heartstrings and made the story so memorable. On a side note, I LOVED the Savithri and Satyavan storyline (from the Indian epic Mahabharat) the author narrates in parallel and how it impacts Reha’s life. Even if you leave aside all the Indian references, the author still portrays the American culture of the 80s flawlessly!

Overall, “Red, White, and Whole” is not only a beautiful family tale but also a realistic depiction of what it is like to grow up as an Indian American.

mommylovesbooks

February 18, 2021

This book is brilliant and beautiful - I hope everyone chooses to read Reha's story.

Newly released Red, White and Whole is a beautiful middle grade book - endearing, moving, heartbreaking and hopeful. Set in the 1980s, we follow only child Reha’s personal journey as she feels torn between her two worlds - her life at school where she is the only Indian American student and her life at home with her family and their Indian community. A novel written in verse, the story immediately draws the reader in to feel how this teen’s world is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia.

This book weaves together many themes including a story of love and loss, kindness from friends and family, music from the 80s, Indian mythology, the human side of the medical industry and the struggles of navigating middle school, to name a few. Reha is a beautiful character and I know many children (and adults) will love reading her story.