Red, White and Whole

Red, White and Whole

by Rajani LaRocca
Publisher: HarperCollins
Trade Paperback, 217 pages
Price: $9.99

You can read a solid Christian review of this book here.

Newbery Honor Book! A heartbreakingly hopeful novel in verse about an Indian American girl whose life is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia.

Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked—Reha means “star” and Punam means “moon”—but they are a universe apart.

Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick.

Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life.

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It's been a while since I've been in a reading groove, and I'm not sure if it will last, but this—Red, White, and Whole, by Rajani LaRocca—is my second book for 2025. What a beautiful gut punch!

Reha, daughter of Indian immigrant parents, finds herself struggling with living the life of a weekday American and weekend Indian. As a young teen in the 1980s, she goes to public school (a particular assignment about defining heroism is a poignant foreshadowing) and wants to spend time with friends, watch MTV music videos, dress like other kids, and attend the school dance. But at the same time, she loves her Amma and Daddy, her Prema Auntie and extended family, and the culture—full of colors and scents and flavors and customs—they share.

When her Amma becomes sick and has to go to the hospital, Reha finds her worlds converging, morphing, splitting like cancer cells. And she learns that the definition of hero is starkly applicable:

"A hero is brave, but not without fear.
Says what they believe is right.
Works to make the world better.
Acts out of love for others."

This novel-in-verse is full of everyday heroes, and movingly reminds me of the sort of person I want to be.

Review by Eli Evans
Formerly home educated and now father of five, Eli loves discovering amazing books, new and old, and is an artistic curator at heart. The owner and manager of Exodus since 1998, his focus is on offering thoughtful and well-written books that inspire the imagination and promote creativity and diligence while living for God. Read more of his reviews here.
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  Lovely Story
OhioMom of Ohio, 1/17/2025
New fiction for teens is everywhere.

New fiction I want buy

that’s hardly anywhere ??

This book is marketed starting at age 8 on Amazon and I see it listed for grade 3 on Library Thing.

I do not agree with that. At all.

I feel like this is a book for at the earliest 12+ *but* I’d rather it went to 15+.

I loved this book. It is lyrical, it is beautiful. Things I noted:

I do not like that pg 3 they say Americans dress immodestly and imply laziness but I do like that later they say hard work is rewarded in the U.S.

I particularly like that this book brings up The Sword and the Stone and the study of King Arthur since that is part of Ambleside Year 7

All cooking begins or ends with mustard seeds is interesting to think about, it’s hard not to draw a religious implication for all that the author was not raised Christian.

*does discuss other religious practices*a lot in one section. It’s quite different so be aware.

Slight romantic feelings toward a boy and these feelings develop some.

I’m curious about the Indian history comic books mentioned Amar Chitra Kathas, they seem interesting and I’m thinking about ordering one.

I like that the parents are loved and respected as in the example of Reha wanting to go to the dance and instead of deciding her parents are mean or stupid it is acknowledged that Reha’s mother wants to protect her.

The dance Reha attends captures first crush feelings and behavior so accurately that it gives me momcringe and makes me want to push this from 12 to 15 though that is reflective of how and whom I parent more than anything.

When Reha discusses death with her friend we get a ( kind of limp imo) Christian answer as well as one from her Jewish friend and one reflecting a belief in reincarnation. It is unfair of me to categorize the Christian answer that way since what might Peter (friend/crush) say? That Reha’s mother is not Christian so sorry no heaven for her? Not caring for the distilling of what happens into “good people go to heaven.” is nitpicky of me.

I also read The Coldest Burn in the history of burns.
“Alternative is just pop that’s like by a different group of people.” Dang.

The one kiss that I think she is alluding to it as a token like a woman would give a knight when Peter gives it to her as she readies to try and donate bone marrow.

I loved this book. I hope the author does not break my heart and assimilate into current slop. I think..it’s not possible to categorize this- it is beyond that and its own perfect thing.