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My Basmati Bat Mitzvah
During the fall leading up to her bat mitzvah, Tara (Hindi for "star") Feinstein has a lot more than her Torah portion on her mind. Between Hebrew school and study sessions with the rabbi, there doesn’t seem to be enough time to hang out with her best friend Ben-o--who might also be her boyfriend--and her other best friend, Rebecca, who’s getting a little too cozy with that snotty Sheila Rosenberg. Not to mention working on her robotics project with the class clown Ryan Berger, or figuring out what to do with a priceless heirloom sari that she accidentally ruined. Amid all this drama, Tara considers how to balance her Indian and Jewish identities and what it means to have a bat mitzvah while questioning her faith.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
18 people are currently reading
1153 people want to read
About the author
Paula J. Freedman
1 book23 followersPaula Freedman has another career in digital media, in which she has made websites for a well-known children's publisher, a TV network, and assorted others. She studied publishing at [Hidden in protest] and English at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition to writing fiction, Paula enjoys reading, traveling, and knitting. She lives with her husband and two parrots in Geneva, Switzerland and New York City. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
April 8, 2015
I picked this up because I was excited to see intersectional YA lit! You don't see books about Indians who are Jewish...ever! But then the way this book goes about addressing the Indian part of her heritage annoyed the living crap out of me. The mother made it sound terrible to take Indian food to school because it spilled once. I took Indian food to school every day of high school and I had friends who didn't care for the most part. I'm in college now and I still bring Indian food for lunch. I hate to fixate on this, but it just bothered me so much how the author described it. The mother being upset about wearing a sari to her wedding was also exaggerated and felt like the author was trashing Indian culture in favor of Jewish culture instead of showing harmony between them. It only gets worse as the novel progresses, with one character calling India a third world country with dysentery and having the mother and aunt shun India as a country. Not to mention the fact that Tara even mentions the fact that Jenna Alberts has "golden skin" and is therefore more likely to get with Ben-O. " It's also just hilarious how seriously these thirteen year olds take middle school relationships. So overall, terrible read.
August 30, 2013
Cover Gushing Worthiness: The cover for My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is one of my favourite covers of the year. I really like the illustrations and the colour scheme of the cover. Plus the girl on the cover is adorable too. Final Verdict: a great cover for a heartwarming book.
Review:
I first saw MBBM on Netgalley and the title is what drew me to the book at first. As I read the synopsis I was even more excited to read it. Regular visitors to The Streetlight Reader know that I’m an advocate for diversity in Young Adult and New Adult fiction. While this book doesn't fall into either category, I do like the fact that this is a middle-grade novel with a person of colour as its main character. I think another reason why I was curious about this book is because of Tara being of Jewish and Indian-Hindu ethnicity. My mom is mixed and her parents are of two different religions, so I've been interested in reading about characters who are mixed for a while now, so I was happy to discover this book.
Tara Feinstein is grappling with the idea of having her Bat Mitzvah- the coming of age ceremony for Jewish girls, but at the same time she’s afraid that it would mean she would lose her Indian roots. Eventually Tara decides to go through with her Bat Mitzvah ceremony and of course chaos follows her everywhere. The question is if she’ll make it through to her Bat Mitzvah in one piece.
For the longest time I kept putting off reading this book, partly because I was afraid of what I might discover. What I mean is that, while I’m all for diversity, I don't support the idea of including diverse characters for diversity’s sake. In the end I shouldn't have worried too much about it.
MBBM is unlike anything I've ever read before. Freedman manages to touch upon issues such as identity, racism, race and religion in a subtle manner, while incorporating a balance of cultural portrayals. Freedman writes about all of these issues in a manner that is understandable for young readers while driving home the message of tolerance and understanding. What makes this book a heartwarming and funny read is Tara’s narration. She’s a funny, sarcastic and feisty girl. There were times when she had me laughing out loud and others where I was tearing up because of what she was saying. That being said there were times when she could annoy you to the point of wanting to throw something at her. At those points I had to remind myself that I was probably like Tara as Pre-Teen/early Teen ten and a half years ago. The book flowed smoothly and I enjoyed reading the flashbacks with Tara and her maternal grandparents in India. The ending of course was predictable and I suppose it is to be expected because it is after all a children’s book. However I was able to get past those minor issues and enjoy this book.
I’ve said before I enjoyed Tara’s narration, but what drew me to her character was her vulnerability. She is a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve and that comes across in her interactions with others. I loved reading about Tara’s identity struggles because it’s a question I struggle with too. I think what made Tara’s struggle so relatable was her honesty about it. There was nothing insincere in her struggle and as a reader you could feel her sense of loss. This is one part of the book that stood out to me where Tara’s having a conversation with Rabbi Aron.
Throughout the book you can see Tara’s character growth and you see her coming to terms with both her Indian- Jewish heritage as well as growing as a daughter and a friend.
The secondary characters were all great in their own ways. I loved Tara’s paternal grandma Ruthie. She was always coming to Tara’s rescue because of the escapades Tara got herself into. Tara’s parents too were equally great characters. I do wish that there was more of an explanation of her mom’s struggles of growing up in the States as a recent immigrant. I really wanted to learn more about her experience because there was a disconnect between Tara and her mother at times. Tara’s best friend Ben-o was also a cute kid. He was your typical pre-teen boy and his interactions with Tara were adorable and dorky all at the same time. Among Tara’s peers at Hebrew School I felt the most for Sheila. While she comes across as snobby and self-centered girl, behind that facade is a troubled kid. I don't think we ever got a complete explanation as to why she acts the way she does. Tara’s extended family from her mom’s side were also entertaining. I could relate to them because I have a similar extended family myself. However I did find it strange that Tara’s aunt Meena didn't have a clue as to what her teenage son was up to half the time. I guess it’s because my relationship with my parents as teenager was different. I suppose it is realistic in a way.
Another thing that I appreciated in this book, much like I did in Farhana Zia’s The Garden of My Imaan was the glossary! I guess I appreciated it a bit more in this one because it included Hebrew terms I was unfamiliar with. I was familiar with some of the Hindi ones because I've watched bollywood movies and I understand a bit of Hindi. When it comes to diversity books I always appreciate the glossaries.
Overall My Basmati Bat Mitzvah was both an entertaining and touching read. It addresses issues that are ever more prevalent in today’s society and sends out a message of hope and understanding.
My Rating: 4/5
Would I recommend it? Yes
My Basmati Bat Mitzvahis published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams Books. It will be released on October 1 2013. This Advanced Reader Copy was obtained from Netgalley. Thank You Netgalley for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
I think poor communication with the people closest to us can lead to terrible misunderstandings.
I first saw MBBM on Netgalley and the title is what drew me to the book at first. As I read the synopsis I was even more excited to read it. Regular visitors to The Streetlight Reader know that I’m an advocate for diversity in Young Adult and New Adult fiction. While this book doesn't fall into either category, I do like the fact that this is a middle-grade novel with a person of colour as its main character. I think another reason why I was curious about this book is because of Tara being of Jewish and Indian-Hindu ethnicity. My mom is mixed and her parents are of two different religions, so I've been interested in reading about characters who are mixed for a while now, so I was happy to discover this book.
Tara Feinstein is grappling with the idea of having her Bat Mitzvah- the coming of age ceremony for Jewish girls, but at the same time she’s afraid that it would mean she would lose her Indian roots. Eventually Tara decides to go through with her Bat Mitzvah ceremony and of course chaos follows her everywhere. The question is if she’ll make it through to her Bat Mitzvah in one piece.
For the longest time I kept putting off reading this book, partly because I was afraid of what I might discover. What I mean is that, while I’m all for diversity, I don't support the idea of including diverse characters for diversity’s sake. In the end I shouldn't have worried too much about it.
MBBM is unlike anything I've ever read before. Freedman manages to touch upon issues such as identity, racism, race and religion in a subtle manner, while incorporating a balance of cultural portrayals. Freedman writes about all of these issues in a manner that is understandable for young readers while driving home the message of tolerance and understanding. What makes this book a heartwarming and funny read is Tara’s narration. She’s a funny, sarcastic and feisty girl. There were times when she had me laughing out loud and others where I was tearing up because of what she was saying. That being said there were times when she could annoy you to the point of wanting to throw something at her. At those points I had to remind myself that I was probably like Tara as Pre-Teen/early Teen ten and a half years ago. The book flowed smoothly and I enjoyed reading the flashbacks with Tara and her maternal grandparents in India. The ending of course was predictable and I suppose it is to be expected because it is after all a children’s book. However I was able to get past those minor issues and enjoy this book.
I’ve said before I enjoyed Tara’s narration, but what drew me to her character was her vulnerability. She is a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve and that comes across in her interactions with others. I loved reading about Tara’s identity struggles because it’s a question I struggle with too. I think what made Tara’s struggle so relatable was her honesty about it. There was nothing insincere in her struggle and as a reader you could feel her sense of loss. This is one part of the book that stood out to me where Tara’s having a conversation with Rabbi Aron.
Rabbi Aron can I ask you something?
Anything Tara.
Sheila Rosenberg says I’m not Jewish.
And why would she say that, Tara Feinstein?
She says because my mother isn’t Jewish- but she is.
I know that Tara. Let me ask you something: Are you Jewish?
That’s what I wanted to ask you.
Bubeleh, you’re Jewish. No one can take that away from you. I’m asking how you feel. In your heart.
How is being Jewish supposed to my heart feel?
Oy Tara, Who but a Jew answers a question with another question?
Throughout the book you can see Tara’s character growth and you see her coming to terms with both her Indian- Jewish heritage as well as growing as a daughter and a friend.
The secondary characters were all great in their own ways. I loved Tara’s paternal grandma Ruthie. She was always coming to Tara’s rescue because of the escapades Tara got herself into. Tara’s parents too were equally great characters. I do wish that there was more of an explanation of her mom’s struggles of growing up in the States as a recent immigrant. I really wanted to learn more about her experience because there was a disconnect between Tara and her mother at times. Tara’s best friend Ben-o was also a cute kid. He was your typical pre-teen boy and his interactions with Tara were adorable and dorky all at the same time. Among Tara’s peers at Hebrew School I felt the most for Sheila. While she comes across as snobby and self-centered girl, behind that facade is a troubled kid. I don't think we ever got a complete explanation as to why she acts the way she does. Tara’s extended family from her mom’s side were also entertaining. I could relate to them because I have a similar extended family myself. However I did find it strange that Tara’s aunt Meena didn't have a clue as to what her teenage son was up to half the time. I guess it’s because my relationship with my parents as teenager was different. I suppose it is realistic in a way.
Another thing that I appreciated in this book, much like I did in Farhana Zia’s The Garden of My Imaan was the glossary! I guess I appreciated it a bit more in this one because it included Hebrew terms I was unfamiliar with. I was familiar with some of the Hindi ones because I've watched bollywood movies and I understand a bit of Hindi. When it comes to diversity books I always appreciate the glossaries.
Overall My Basmati Bat Mitzvah was both an entertaining and touching read. It addresses issues that are ever more prevalent in today’s society and sends out a message of hope and understanding.
My Rating: 4/5
Would I recommend it? Yes
My Basmati Bat Mitzvahis published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams Books. It will be released on October 1 2013. This Advanced Reader Copy was obtained from Netgalley. Thank You Netgalley for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2013
This review will go live on the blog 10/14
BEWARE: this review amounts to little more than an incoherent, rambly love letter.
You know that one review that you sit on until you come up with the right words to say, only to wind up writing - and rewriting - the entire thing? That's how I was with My Basmati Bat Mitzvah. This is the novel I want to hand to Middle Grade/Young Adult naysayers who claim kids' books can't be thought-provoking and powerful. Even now I want to scrap this review and simply have a giant 72-pt blinking font that just reads "GO BUY THIS NOW."
Tara Feinstein is just like every other 12-year-old: she loves having Movie Nights with her best friend Ben-o (who just might like-like her), she has to deal with all the hurt and jealousy that comes with her other best friend Rebecca becoming friendly with Tara's sworn enemy, and the best thing about the new school year is getting to be in robotics class.
Unlike the majority of the kids in Tara's class however, Tara comes from a multi-cultural home. While both her parents are Jewish, her mother practiced Hinduism before converting. Apart from Tara's aunt and cousin, the rest of her mother's side of the family still lives in India. Even though she attends Hebrew School, Tara strongly identifies with her Indian side and a classmate's nasty comments raise some doubts about whether or not she wants to go through with her Bat Mitzvah. Will she have to abandon her Indian heritage in order to truly be Jewish?
When I first started reading this book I sat down on my couch and didn't move until I had finished. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is such an incredibly lovely book that had it all: diverse characters (!!!), humor, a beautiful message. Tara came across as a real person, someone I could pass on the street. Her jealousy over playing third wheel to her bestie's new friend, panic over accidentally ruining a precious heirloom, all the confusion that comes with her best boy friend kinda-sorta-maybe wanting to be a boyfriend. It was all beautifully done. Tara had such wonderful character development throughout the novel - and she wasn't the only one! Other characters had an amazing amount of depth, particularly Mean Girl Sheila. & get this: not only were Tara's parents ever-present, but her grandmother, aunt, and even her friends' parents played key roles!
Perhaps what really won me over was that I could relate to Tara. I come from a Jewish-Catholic family and while I was raised Catholic, my family still observes certain Jewish traditions and holidays. I understood Tara's conflicting emotions. If she had her Bat Mitzvah, would she have to forget all about her beloved grandparents, her Nana and Nanaji? Would she be unable to enjoy her favorite Bollywood movies? Tara's personal journey to discovering herself was beautiful and I was cheering her on every step of the way. And if I didn't already love her to pieces, the fact that she wanted to wear a sari and serve traditional Indian food at her Bat Mitzvah totally would have won me over.
As an added bonus, at the very end of the book there's a multi-page glossary that covers a variety of Yiddish/Hebrew/Punjabi terms and of course I thought that was awesome! Seriously, I could prattle on about My Basmati Bat Mitzvah for days. It was a delightful, beautiful story about a girl discovering who she is and I loved it. I strongly recommend buying a copy!
BEWARE: this review amounts to little more than an incoherent, rambly love letter.
You know that one review that you sit on until you come up with the right words to say, only to wind up writing - and rewriting - the entire thing? That's how I was with My Basmati Bat Mitzvah. This is the novel I want to hand to Middle Grade/Young Adult naysayers who claim kids' books can't be thought-provoking and powerful. Even now I want to scrap this review and simply have a giant 72-pt blinking font that just reads "GO BUY THIS NOW."
Tara Feinstein is just like every other 12-year-old: she loves having Movie Nights with her best friend Ben-o (who just might like-like her), she has to deal with all the hurt and jealousy that comes with her other best friend Rebecca becoming friendly with Tara's sworn enemy, and the best thing about the new school year is getting to be in robotics class.
Unlike the majority of the kids in Tara's class however, Tara comes from a multi-cultural home. While both her parents are Jewish, her mother practiced Hinduism before converting. Apart from Tara's aunt and cousin, the rest of her mother's side of the family still lives in India. Even though she attends Hebrew School, Tara strongly identifies with her Indian side and a classmate's nasty comments raise some doubts about whether or not she wants to go through with her Bat Mitzvah. Will she have to abandon her Indian heritage in order to truly be Jewish?
When I first started reading this book I sat down on my couch and didn't move until I had finished. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is such an incredibly lovely book that had it all: diverse characters (!!!), humor, a beautiful message. Tara came across as a real person, someone I could pass on the street. Her jealousy over playing third wheel to her bestie's new friend, panic over accidentally ruining a precious heirloom, all the confusion that comes with her best boy friend kinda-sorta-maybe wanting to be a boyfriend. It was all beautifully done. Tara had such wonderful character development throughout the novel - and she wasn't the only one! Other characters had an amazing amount of depth, particularly Mean Girl Sheila. & get this: not only were Tara's parents ever-present, but her grandmother, aunt, and even her friends' parents played key roles!
Perhaps what really won me over was that I could relate to Tara. I come from a Jewish-Catholic family and while I was raised Catholic, my family still observes certain Jewish traditions and holidays. I understood Tara's conflicting emotions. If she had her Bat Mitzvah, would she have to forget all about her beloved grandparents, her Nana and Nanaji? Would she be unable to enjoy her favorite Bollywood movies? Tara's personal journey to discovering herself was beautiful and I was cheering her on every step of the way. And if I didn't already love her to pieces, the fact that she wanted to wear a sari and serve traditional Indian food at her Bat Mitzvah totally would have won me over.
As an added bonus, at the very end of the book there's a multi-page glossary that covers a variety of Yiddish/Hebrew/Punjabi terms and of course I thought that was awesome! Seriously, I could prattle on about My Basmati Bat Mitzvah for days. It was a delightful, beautiful story about a girl discovering who she is and I loved it. I strongly recommend buying a copy!
October 14, 2013
When I was 12, I was signed up for religious instruction. What this meant was the every Wednesday afternoon, all the NYC public school kids going to religious instruction would line up for early dismissal to go to their respective churches or synagogues. Catholics and Protestants for confirmation classes, Jewish kids for Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes. The best part of this was that it got me out of a double period of a much hated sewing class, so I was pretty certain that year that there was a God.
Unlike the main character in My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, middle schooler Tara Feldstein, 12, half Indian, half Jewish, and not sure if she wants to be Bat Mitzvahed or not, having some doubts about God and some reservations about committing to Judaism and what that might mean in terms of her bi-cultural identity.
Not only that, but now Tara's best friend, Ben-O seems to be sending mixed messages about how he feels towards her. One day he seems to want to be more than just friends, next he seems attracted to another girl. Then, along comes Miss Perfect, Sheila Rosenberg who tells Tara she really isn't Jewish anyway, because her mother is Jewish, not realizing that Mrs. Feldstein had converted long ago. And now Tara notices that her other best friend Rebecca is hanging out with Sheila Rosenberg more and more. Not sure of what going on, this all just adds to Tara's doubts and confusion.
Then Tara, in an attempt to bridge both cultures, decides she wants to wear her great grandmother's prized sari for her Bat Mitzvah, but when Rebecca accidentally burns it in a rollicking game of Bollywood the two girls were playing, it seems to bring everything to a head for Tara. Will she be able to reconcile her Indian self with her Jewish self in a way that works for her and both sides of her family?
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is, for the most part, a charmingly fun coming of age novel that deals with the particular identity crisis that kids with diverse backgrounds have and the choices they must sometimes make because of it. Told in the first person, Tara is an engaging, humorous character who likes to speak her mind.
Tara and her friends seem like typical NYC kids to me, but I did think that the Jewish grandmother and the Indian aunt were a bit too cliched, although they were pretty funny as well. Interestingly, they are actually both much more of a presence in the novel that Tara's parents are.
Freedman touches upon a number of themes in this novel, such as bullying, identity, racism, religion - all typical tropes in middle grade fiction and she handles them quite well. And I really liked the weaving together of both side of Tara's cultural heritage.
Freedman does introduce the fact that not every kid navigated these tough early teen year easily, and while Tara's difficulties can be presented in a humorous/serious way, Freedman does touch on a more serious problem many teens have in the person of Sheila Rosenberg. Sheila, for all she appears to be the perfect preteen, suffers from Trichotillomania - the compulsive urge to pull out one's hair. Tara discovers this by accident and it helps her realize that things aren't always what they seem on the outside.
Lots of Yiddish and Punjabi words were used throughout My Basmati Bat Mitzvah and in to back of the book is nice Glossary of the words and their meaning. Something to remember as you read.
All in all, I enjoyed My Basmati Bat Mitzvah very much and would certainly recommend it to MG readers, Jewish, Indian or not. There is definitely something for everyone in Tara's story.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book is an ARC received at the 2013 BEA
This review was originally published at Randomly Reading
Unlike the main character in My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, middle schooler Tara Feldstein, 12, half Indian, half Jewish, and not sure if she wants to be Bat Mitzvahed or not, having some doubts about God and some reservations about committing to Judaism and what that might mean in terms of her bi-cultural identity.
Not only that, but now Tara's best friend, Ben-O seems to be sending mixed messages about how he feels towards her. One day he seems to want to be more than just friends, next he seems attracted to another girl. Then, along comes Miss Perfect, Sheila Rosenberg who tells Tara she really isn't Jewish anyway, because her mother is Jewish, not realizing that Mrs. Feldstein had converted long ago. And now Tara notices that her other best friend Rebecca is hanging out with Sheila Rosenberg more and more. Not sure of what going on, this all just adds to Tara's doubts and confusion.
Then Tara, in an attempt to bridge both cultures, decides she wants to wear her great grandmother's prized sari for her Bat Mitzvah, but when Rebecca accidentally burns it in a rollicking game of Bollywood the two girls were playing, it seems to bring everything to a head for Tara. Will she be able to reconcile her Indian self with her Jewish self in a way that works for her and both sides of her family?
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is, for the most part, a charmingly fun coming of age novel that deals with the particular identity crisis that kids with diverse backgrounds have and the choices they must sometimes make because of it. Told in the first person, Tara is an engaging, humorous character who likes to speak her mind.
Tara and her friends seem like typical NYC kids to me, but I did think that the Jewish grandmother and the Indian aunt were a bit too cliched, although they were pretty funny as well. Interestingly, they are actually both much more of a presence in the novel that Tara's parents are.
Freedman touches upon a number of themes in this novel, such as bullying, identity, racism, religion - all typical tropes in middle grade fiction and she handles them quite well. And I really liked the weaving together of both side of Tara's cultural heritage.
Freedman does introduce the fact that not every kid navigated these tough early teen year easily, and while Tara's difficulties can be presented in a humorous/serious way, Freedman does touch on a more serious problem many teens have in the person of Sheila Rosenberg. Sheila, for all she appears to be the perfect preteen, suffers from Trichotillomania - the compulsive urge to pull out one's hair. Tara discovers this by accident and it helps her realize that things aren't always what they seem on the outside.
Lots of Yiddish and Punjabi words were used throughout My Basmati Bat Mitzvah and in to back of the book is nice Glossary of the words and their meaning. Something to remember as you read.
All in all, I enjoyed My Basmati Bat Mitzvah very much and would certainly recommend it to MG readers, Jewish, Indian or not. There is definitely something for everyone in Tara's story.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book is an ARC received at the 2013 BEA
This review was originally published at Randomly Reading
September 26, 2014
Good concept but I couldn't get past Tara's dippy, far-too-clueless personality. I found most of the children's personalities to be too silly and over the top to be believed, but perhaps I am too far removed from that age range at this point to spot an "authentic" depiction of a middle school child.
November 21, 2015
I was a fan of the way Tara's two cultures are actually very at peace in her life. The main conflict had nothing to do with a clash of cultures. Both sides of Tara's family are very loving and seem like pretty rad people. Unfortunately, Tara herself was annoyingly oblivious. Sheila was a bit of a rollercoaster and I think not given the time she should have been to resolve her conflict fully. Ben-o had a weird name. I couldn't decide if the thing with the sari and Joseph was cute or over-thought out. Perhaps a seventh grade protagonist is just too young for me to enjoy, and I need to stay on the older side of YA.
July 23, 2013
Two-second recap: My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is a charming, delightful MG/YA novel which celebrates culture diversity, and the journey involved with finding yourself.
***
Full review:
I'm always on the lookout for strong MG/YA titles which feature non-Caucasian main characters, so I pretty much fell off my chair in excitement, when I saw the cover of My Basmati Bat Mitzvah on NetGalley.
Fortunately for me, Abrams kindly granted my review request for the book, and I devoured the book in one day.
***
* The characterizations
Tara Feinstein is a delightfully engaging character, from the first page. She's smart and curious about the world around her, and not afraid to show it.
Freedman has given Tara a strong, internal voice that showcases her diversity - e.g she's constantly talking about how she likes Indian food and likes Jewish traditions - but also makes her wholly relatable. I loved how Tara struggled with the day-to-day issues in her life - e.g. friendships; getting along with her family - but also wasn't afraid to tackle the larger issues, e.g. faith.
Freedman also sketches out Tara's moments of self-realization and growth in a way that I think readers will both understand, and also admire.
As for the secondary characters, I thought they were all well-rounded and engaging characters in their own right. For a fairly light-hearted book, there are some serious sub-plots involving the secondary characters, which I think were all handled in a way that were both informative and respectful.
* The parental factor
I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I love any book which features parents who actively get involved in their children's lives. We have that parental involvement here in spades. Tara's entire extended family play a positive, constant role in her life. And more importantly, they do it (largely) without bickering.
I could go on and on about how and why I loved Freedman's depictions of Tara's family, but I won't.
Instead, I'll just say that I especially loved the fact that there was a scene where Tara felt that she couldn't necessarily go to her mother about an issue. So instead, she sent to her grandmother. I think this sends a strong message to younger readers that even when you feel like you can't confide in one adult in your life, there are still other adults whom you can talk to. You are never alone.
* The cultural element
Both Indian and Jewish culture play a huge part in Freedman's book, and I loved how she depicted both of them.
First, I deeply appreciate the fact that Freedman made it seem like it was no big deal that Tara was a product of both of these cultures.
More often than not, books involving protagonists from multiple cultures seem to focus on the difficulties of juggling both cultures, rather than the positives. And while there's nothing wrong with that approach, having an author go in the opposite direction was definitely a refreshing change. I believe that anyone from two cultures, who is struggling with their cultural identity, will appreciate the positive message that Freedman sends.
I also loved the fact that Freedman made a pretty substantial effort to incorporate some of the more key historical/sociological points of both cultures. She managed to reference both the Partition of India, and Jewish ideology, which is fairly heady material for a MG/YA book. Yet, she also did it in a way that was both informative and true to the plot.
* The ending
The ending was a perfect culmination/of everything that the book had been leading up to. I loved how the ending wrapped everything up, and tied things together perfectly.
* The cover
A huge bravo to Abrams for selecting a cover model who looks exactly like how the main character is described. This is a cover which I think will make a lot of people searching for diversity in YA, very happy.
***
Things to consider:
I've seen some reviews mention that they felt Tara was a little too clueless about the world around her - e.g. she didn't realize that Ben-O was interested in her for most of the book.
Initially, I agreed with the assessment while I was reading. Tara did seem a little oblivious to things that were blatantly obvious to me. However, after thinking about it, I actually think that her slight cluelessness was perfect for her age.
After all, which twelve-year-old knows everything? I know that when I was twelve, I certainly would have never figured out if a friend liked me or not. So I think that readers - especially the younger ones - will absolutely relate to both Tara's uncertainty as she tries to figure things out, while also loving the book when she does figure things out.
***
Final verdict: My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is a delightful, thoughtful MG/YA contemporary book. This is a book that genuinely reflects the global cultural which exists in our society now, and I think that Paula Freedman and Abrams deserves huge accolades for writing and publishing this book.
I highly recommend this book for all MG/YA contemporary readers, but also for readers who are looking for books that depict multicuturalism in fiction. Freedman beautifully depicts what it is to pay respect to two very separate cultures, and I think readers of all ages will appreciate it.
***
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of My Basmati Bat Mitzvah from Abrams Books via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
***
Full review:
I'm always on the lookout for strong MG/YA titles which feature non-Caucasian main characters, so I pretty much fell off my chair in excitement, when I saw the cover of My Basmati Bat Mitzvah on NetGalley.
Fortunately for me, Abrams kindly granted my review request for the book, and I devoured the book in one day.
***
* The characterizations
Tara Feinstein is a delightfully engaging character, from the first page. She's smart and curious about the world around her, and not afraid to show it.
Freedman has given Tara a strong, internal voice that showcases her diversity - e.g she's constantly talking about how she likes Indian food and likes Jewish traditions - but also makes her wholly relatable. I loved how Tara struggled with the day-to-day issues in her life - e.g. friendships; getting along with her family - but also wasn't afraid to tackle the larger issues, e.g. faith.
Freedman also sketches out Tara's moments of self-realization and growth in a way that I think readers will both understand, and also admire.
As for the secondary characters, I thought they were all well-rounded and engaging characters in their own right. For a fairly light-hearted book, there are some serious sub-plots involving the secondary characters, which I think were all handled in a way that were both informative and respectful.
* The parental factor
I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I love any book which features parents who actively get involved in their children's lives. We have that parental involvement here in spades. Tara's entire extended family play a positive, constant role in her life. And more importantly, they do it (largely) without bickering.
I could go on and on about how and why I loved Freedman's depictions of Tara's family, but I won't.
Instead, I'll just say that I especially loved the fact that there was a scene where Tara felt that she couldn't necessarily go to her mother about an issue. So instead, she sent to her grandmother. I think this sends a strong message to younger readers that even when you feel like you can't confide in one adult in your life, there are still other adults whom you can talk to. You are never alone.
* The cultural element
Both Indian and Jewish culture play a huge part in Freedman's book, and I loved how she depicted both of them.
First, I deeply appreciate the fact that Freedman made it seem like it was no big deal that Tara was a product of both of these cultures.
More often than not, books involving protagonists from multiple cultures seem to focus on the difficulties of juggling both cultures, rather than the positives. And while there's nothing wrong with that approach, having an author go in the opposite direction was definitely a refreshing change. I believe that anyone from two cultures, who is struggling with their cultural identity, will appreciate the positive message that Freedman sends.
I also loved the fact that Freedman made a pretty substantial effort to incorporate some of the more key historical/sociological points of both cultures. She managed to reference both the Partition of India, and Jewish ideology, which is fairly heady material for a MG/YA book. Yet, she also did it in a way that was both informative and true to the plot.
* The ending
The ending was a perfect culmination/of everything that the book had been leading up to. I loved how the ending wrapped everything up, and tied things together perfectly.
* The cover
A huge bravo to Abrams for selecting a cover model who looks exactly like how the main character is described. This is a cover which I think will make a lot of people searching for diversity in YA, very happy.
***
Things to consider:
I've seen some reviews mention that they felt Tara was a little too clueless about the world around her - e.g. she didn't realize that Ben-O was interested in her for most of the book.
Initially, I agreed with the assessment while I was reading. Tara did seem a little oblivious to things that were blatantly obvious to me. However, after thinking about it, I actually think that her slight cluelessness was perfect for her age.
After all, which twelve-year-old knows everything? I know that when I was twelve, I certainly would have never figured out if a friend liked me or not. So I think that readers - especially the younger ones - will absolutely relate to both Tara's uncertainty as she tries to figure things out, while also loving the book when she does figure things out.
***
Final verdict: My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is a delightful, thoughtful MG/YA contemporary book. This is a book that genuinely reflects the global cultural which exists in our society now, and I think that Paula Freedman and Abrams deserves huge accolades for writing and publishing this book.
I highly recommend this book for all MG/YA contemporary readers, but also for readers who are looking for books that depict multicuturalism in fiction. Freedman beautifully depicts what it is to pay respect to two very separate cultures, and I think readers of all ages will appreciate it.
***
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of My Basmati Bat Mitzvah from Abrams Books via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2019
4 stars. Tara is a half-Indian, half-Jewish American girl. She is planning her Bat-Mitzvah and trying to figure out if she believes in God. She doesn’t know if she should, because her Indian family believes in gods and goddesses and her Jewish family believes in God. She is also having trouble getting along with her mom, and having trouble with her group of friends. I liked that it was a fast read, and it made me think about how difficult it can sometimes be to choose what you believe as you are growing up. The mother was my least favorite character though, and I wish she had been a little more supportive of Tara in the book.
August 2, 2013
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is a cute novel about navigating your way through the different cultures that make you up. There’s good commentary here on social, racial and religious issues, something I wish I saw more of in MG and YA fiction.
The real standout aspect of the novel is Tara’s voice. It would have been far too easy to slip into a caricature of a twelve year old girl’s voice, but Freedman keeps it feeling realistic and natural. Tara herself is a fun character, a pretty typical twelve year old girl who has her moments where she’s highly unlikeable, and makes mistakes like anyone else. I really enjoyed reading about her and her struggle to express both of her heritages and cultures in her bat mitzvah.
Her family was well fleshed out, specifically her mother and grandmother. I wish her friends had the same treatment; there’s one girl Tara initially dislikes, Sheila, who does get a great deal of depth, and Ben-O, Tara’s best friend/love interest. But her initial best friend, Rebecca, is sort of thrown to the wayside after a while in favor of Sheila.
Another downside, since this is a character driven novel, is that at times it did feel a little aimless. It would quickly reorient itself back, but there were times when I found myself wondering, “Okay, where is this going/what was the purpose of that particular scene?”
Still, I really enjoyed reading My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, and I’ll definitely look into recommending it to people looking for a MG novel that focuses on the things it focused on.
See more of my reviews at On The Nightstand. A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
The real standout aspect of the novel is Tara’s voice. It would have been far too easy to slip into a caricature of a twelve year old girl’s voice, but Freedman keeps it feeling realistic and natural. Tara herself is a fun character, a pretty typical twelve year old girl who has her moments where she’s highly unlikeable, and makes mistakes like anyone else. I really enjoyed reading about her and her struggle to express both of her heritages and cultures in her bat mitzvah.
Her family was well fleshed out, specifically her mother and grandmother. I wish her friends had the same treatment; there’s one girl Tara initially dislikes, Sheila, who does get a great deal of depth, and Ben-O, Tara’s best friend/love interest. But her initial best friend, Rebecca, is sort of thrown to the wayside after a while in favor of Sheila.
Another downside, since this is a character driven novel, is that at times it did feel a little aimless. It would quickly reorient itself back, but there were times when I found myself wondering, “Okay, where is this going/what was the purpose of that particular scene?”
Still, I really enjoyed reading My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, and I’ll definitely look into recommending it to people looking for a MG novel that focuses on the things it focused on.
See more of my reviews at On The Nightstand. A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
September 8, 2016
This book is about a 7th grade girl named Tara who is trying to navigate the challenges of middle school life, both social and academic, while also preparing for her Bat Mitzvah coming up. She is trying to make time for her best friends, Ben-o and Rebecca, while also dealing with other kids she doesn't like so much. Tara is just trying to find her place among her peers and trying to spark her love for her Robotics club all while learning to understand her religion.
I personally did not enjoy reading this book. As someone who is way past seventh grade, I find it hard to relate to what she is going through. I guess I was there at one point in my life of trying to find my true identity, but honestly, I have blocked that time of my life out of my mind because those weren't great years for me. I think a middle school aged girl might be able to relate to this book better and enjoy it more than I did since they may be going through something similar.
This would be considered a multicultural book because Tara is practicing her Judaism while being Indian. She is someone of mixed race; however, this doesn't ever seem to be a struggle for her. She is not ostracized for having two different backgrounds and engaging in both.
I personally did not enjoy reading this book. As someone who is way past seventh grade, I find it hard to relate to what she is going through. I guess I was there at one point in my life of trying to find my true identity, but honestly, I have blocked that time of my life out of my mind because those weren't great years for me. I think a middle school aged girl might be able to relate to this book better and enjoy it more than I did since they may be going through something similar.
This would be considered a multicultural book because Tara is practicing her Judaism while being Indian. She is someone of mixed race; however, this doesn't ever seem to be a struggle for her. She is not ostracized for having two different backgrounds and engaging in both.
November 11, 2013
Freedman, Paula. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah. 2013.
Tara Feinstein is preparing for her bat mitzvah. She's trying to decide what she believes, in addition to trying to honor both her Jewish and her Indian heritage. Meanwhile, she's not sure if her best friend Ben likes her as a friend or is interested in something more.
This was a typical chick-lit story, focusing on a lot of small struggles instead of some major plot point. Tara isn't sure what all she believes, and she's concerned about making promises through her bat mitzvah or committing to a belief system that she doesn't ascribe to. She gets in trouble with her friends, watches her family interact and react to each other, and in the end decides that it's okay to live with the questions she has about her faith and her heritage. I enjoyed reading about both the Jewish and Indian cultures through this book, and I know it will be popular in my library.
Recommended for: tweens, especially girls
Red Flags: the girls get arrested for shoplifting; one of Tara's friends has a disorder where she pulls out her hair
Overall Rating:3/5 stars
Tara Feinstein is preparing for her bat mitzvah. She's trying to decide what she believes, in addition to trying to honor both her Jewish and her Indian heritage. Meanwhile, she's not sure if her best friend Ben likes her as a friend or is interested in something more.
This was a typical chick-lit story, focusing on a lot of small struggles instead of some major plot point. Tara isn't sure what all she believes, and she's concerned about making promises through her bat mitzvah or committing to a belief system that she doesn't ascribe to. She gets in trouble with her friends, watches her family interact and react to each other, and in the end decides that it's okay to live with the questions she has about her faith and her heritage. I enjoyed reading about both the Jewish and Indian cultures through this book, and I know it will be popular in my library.
Recommended for: tweens, especially girls
Red Flags: the girls get arrested for shoplifting; one of Tara's friends has a disorder where she pulls out her hair
Overall Rating:3/5 stars
December 1, 2013
I was excited about this book's premise - a biracial girl preparing for her bat mitzvah amid qualms that she's "not Jewish enough" to do so. But two Goodreads stars for "it was okay" is about all I can muster up, and one and a half of those are for the premise. Tara is a flat, lifeless, walking, talking cliche who speaks every other word in either Yiddish or Hindi - I get it already, she's biracial and bicultural, can the author please move on to some actual content rather than trying to demonstrate how much she knows about both cultures? I am doubly disappointed because of how excited I was for the book, but the plot (such that it is) is thin and predictable. The only redeeming character for me was Gran, who (while a complete stereotype of a Jewish grandmother) at least demonstrated some heart and realism in the way she treated her granddaughter.
This book embodies everything that tends to go wrong with middle-grade fiction about biracial children - it spends way too much time explaining aspects of each culture and not nearly enough on, you know, the freaking story.
This book embodies everything that tends to go wrong with middle-grade fiction about biracial children - it spends way too much time explaining aspects of each culture and not nearly enough on, you know, the freaking story.
October 24, 2015
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is a book that just makes you happy while reading it. Tara is such a likable narrator, one of my favourite things about this book were the conversations Tara had at Hebrew school. She as really good questions and is brave enough to ask them.
Paula J. Freedman has written a brilliant book that balances a lot of elements; faith, family, identity, friends and love. I was really pleased to see that Tara’s family clearly loves her and each other. Her grandmother is so entertaining and was my favourite from the beginning.
There is so much to praise in this story, the writing and characters for one but what really struck me is how brilliantly Paula J. Freedman dealt with both cultures and the different backgrounds of Tara’s friends. Personally I learned quite a bit.
This book has such a delightfully refreshing positive outlook, there are struggles and Tara grows from the beginning of the story but what made her so lovable is still there.
I think My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is an excellent book regardless of what age you are.
Paula J. Freedman has written a brilliant book that balances a lot of elements; faith, family, identity, friends and love. I was really pleased to see that Tara’s family clearly loves her and each other. Her grandmother is so entertaining and was my favourite from the beginning.
There is so much to praise in this story, the writing and characters for one but what really struck me is how brilliantly Paula J. Freedman dealt with both cultures and the different backgrounds of Tara’s friends. Personally I learned quite a bit.
This book has such a delightfully refreshing positive outlook, there are struggles and Tara grows from the beginning of the story but what made her so lovable is still there.
I think My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is an excellent book regardless of what age you are.
December 30, 2014
I work in a school with large Indian and Jewish populations, so this title immediately caught my eye. While we don't have many (if any) combined families quite like Tara's, her story will appeal to both groups, each of whom are familiar with their own culture and have friends from the other. It is by no means only for Indian or Jewish readers--the challenges of fitting or standing out in you own way (rather than the way your parents try to do it) is universal in middle school, as are first crushes, boy friends vs. boyfriends, and wanting to make your own decisions despite being 13.
October 10, 2016
Wow this book was so bad. I'm about to DNF it at 100 pages.
Yes, I was also excited by a Jewish Indian protagonist but this book was annoyingly didactic and felt like it pretty much reduced the plot and the protagonist to those two identities. And frankly, sticking in as much yiddish as there was felt unnecessary and untrue to life! A word here or there, sure, but not as often as Freedman is putting it in, and not everything has to come back to that. It just felt shallow, superficial, and unsatisfying.
Yes, I was also excited by a Jewish Indian protagonist but this book was annoyingly didactic and felt like it pretty much reduced the plot and the protagonist to those two identities. And frankly, sticking in as much yiddish as there was felt unnecessary and untrue to life! A word here or there, sure, but not as often as Freedman is putting it in, and not everything has to come back to that. It just felt shallow, superficial, and unsatisfying.
August 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this. I wasn't so sure when it was first pitched to me at BEA, but it's more than your usual "this is my culture" sort of middle grade book. I loved especially the conversations between Tara and her rabbi.
Some of it was a little schmaltzy (ie the speech she gives at her bat mitzvah) but that happens with middle grade books.
Some of it was a little schmaltzy (ie the speech she gives at her bat mitzvah) but that happens with middle grade books.
April 18, 2024
I laughed out loud several times during this book, and I loved the way that two families from different immigrant backgrounds could understand each other better because of it.
The romance elements were age-appropriate: "Guess who likes you, Tara?" Tara is a terrible guesser, but that fits with her personality: she's a science and technology dork, and her emotional intelligence is just starting to develop. On the flip side of the coin, she's asking serious questions about God and ultimate reality, and her rabbi teaches her that asking serious questions and coming up with multiple possible answers is a central part of Jewish thinking. (She has a good rabbi!)
The adults in general were treated as real characters, not the clueless drones you find in too many kids' and YA books, and the glossary in the back was a plus. And now I must try potato latkes with tamarind chutney!
The romance elements were age-appropriate: "Guess who likes you, Tara?" Tara is a terrible guesser, but that fits with her personality: she's a science and technology dork, and her emotional intelligence is just starting to develop. On the flip side of the coin, she's asking serious questions about God and ultimate reality, and her rabbi teaches her that asking serious questions and coming up with multiple possible answers is a central part of Jewish thinking. (She has a good rabbi!)
The adults in general were treated as real characters, not the clueless drones you find in too many kids' and YA books, and the glossary in the back was a plus. And now I must try potato latkes with tamarind chutney!
May 16, 2022
Peak comedy
August 11, 2013
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah, a charming celebration of multiculturalism, may be short on story, but it’s big on heart.
The title tells you just about all you need to know about the plot: 12-year-old Tara, whose dad’s family is white Jewish and whose mom’s family is south-east Asian Hindu, is having mixed feelings about her upcoming Bat Mitzvah and her cultural identity in general.
This is no clunky lecture on multiculturalism, though. Paula J. Freedman takes on the subject matter with a refreshing breeziness. The musings on what it means to be Indian-Jewish are at once intrinsic to the novel, but also just another part of life for Tara. Our heroine is, above all else, a 12-year-old girl, so wondering where she fits in in the world often takes a backseat to everyday middle school drama.
Freedman does a good job of capturing the typical pre-teen mindset, with a POV that’s inevitably melodramatic and solipsistic, but also likeable and funny. The mini-catastrophes that erupt in Tara’s life are easily recognizable from any pre-teen life: the sinking feeling when your best friend makes a new friend who you hate; panic at ruining a treasured family heirloom. Although there’s also a love triangle (one of the novel’s more perfunctory touches), this is a YA novel that’s more focused on family and friendship – and it’s better for it.
As a character study, I’d be inclined to give Basmati 4 stars, since Tara is such a fun character to spend time with. Unfortunately, the story in Basmati is so slight that it becomes a struggle to keep any sort of forward momentum going. Supplementary story elements, like the aforementioned love triangle and an aborted storyline about remote-controlled race cars, do little to lift the slow pace of the novel.
It’s truly too bad that the plotting of Basmati falls short, because it really is a warm and witty read. What’s more, it’s testament to the fact that there are so many more interesting stories for YA novels to tell outside of the “white, upper-middle-class girl meets a white, upper-middle-class boy” staple of the genre.
The title tells you just about all you need to know about the plot: 12-year-old Tara, whose dad’s family is white Jewish and whose mom’s family is south-east Asian Hindu, is having mixed feelings about her upcoming Bat Mitzvah and her cultural identity in general.
This is no clunky lecture on multiculturalism, though. Paula J. Freedman takes on the subject matter with a refreshing breeziness. The musings on what it means to be Indian-Jewish are at once intrinsic to the novel, but also just another part of life for Tara. Our heroine is, above all else, a 12-year-old girl, so wondering where she fits in in the world often takes a backseat to everyday middle school drama.
Freedman does a good job of capturing the typical pre-teen mindset, with a POV that’s inevitably melodramatic and solipsistic, but also likeable and funny. The mini-catastrophes that erupt in Tara’s life are easily recognizable from any pre-teen life: the sinking feeling when your best friend makes a new friend who you hate; panic at ruining a treasured family heirloom. Although there’s also a love triangle (one of the novel’s more perfunctory touches), this is a YA novel that’s more focused on family and friendship – and it’s better for it.
As a character study, I’d be inclined to give Basmati 4 stars, since Tara is such a fun character to spend time with. Unfortunately, the story in Basmati is so slight that it becomes a struggle to keep any sort of forward momentum going. Supplementary story elements, like the aforementioned love triangle and an aborted storyline about remote-controlled race cars, do little to lift the slow pace of the novel.
It’s truly too bad that the plotting of Basmati falls short, because it really is a warm and witty read. What’s more, it’s testament to the fact that there are so many more interesting stories for YA novels to tell outside of the “white, upper-middle-class girl meets a white, upper-middle-class boy” staple of the genre.
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June 17, 2016Rationale: This book is the intermediate example of my diverse text set showing how individuals need to be true to themselves despite opposition. This book is about a girl who is trying to balance her Jewish and Indian heritages while becoming her own person. This particular book shows how many of our students struggle between different heritages, religions and cultures while growing up. However, this book is an example of how the struggle helps the character to grow and become her own mix of the two cultures. It demonstrates the diversity of religion and culture, which can be difficult to discuss in the classroom without a mentor text for students to refer back to. While many of my students do celebrate Christmas during winter break, many more of my students struggle with the culture part between their home lives and Americanized schooling as well as language struggles.
Text reflection: Personally as a text to world example, I see this struggle happen with many of my own students. While this book focused on the religious aspect, I think it does hit upon language and cultural differences. It can be hard for children to find their own path especially if they are the first in their family to receive an education in this country. There are different identities my students may have from home and school including language. While working in the dual language sections does help, I think my students will need to have a strong command of who they are in order to keep their Spanish going forward in school after 4th grade when they transition into middle school.
Questions:
Remembering: Can you recall three major events from the story?
Understanding: How would you characterize Tara? Her friend Ben?
Applying: How is Feinstein similar to you? How is she different?
Analyzing: How would you compare Tara’s choices to your choices’ you may have to make?
Evaluating: What choice would you have made if you were in Tara’s situation? Would you have changed the narrative?
Creating: What inferences can you make about Tara’s family especially her mom? What changes do you think her mom had to make growing up?
Text reflection: Personally as a text to world example, I see this struggle happen with many of my own students. While this book focused on the religious aspect, I think it does hit upon language and cultural differences. It can be hard for children to find their own path especially if they are the first in their family to receive an education in this country. There are different identities my students may have from home and school including language. While working in the dual language sections does help, I think my students will need to have a strong command of who they are in order to keep their Spanish going forward in school after 4th grade when they transition into middle school.
Questions:
Remembering: Can you recall three major events from the story?
Understanding: How would you characterize Tara? Her friend Ben?
Applying: How is Feinstein similar to you? How is she different?
Analyzing: How would you compare Tara’s choices to your choices’ you may have to make?
Evaluating: What choice would you have made if you were in Tara’s situation? Would you have changed the narrative?
Creating: What inferences can you make about Tara’s family especially her mom? What changes do you think her mom had to make growing up?
September 27, 2013
Actual rating: 4.5
Tara is 12 and she has some biiiiiig things weighing on her mind: what does it mean to be Indian AND Jewish? Does she want to go through with her Bat Mitzvah? Why is her best friend, Ben-O, acting so weird lately? And is she losing her other best friend too?! Throughout My Basmati Bat Mitzvah Tara contemplates these questions among many others as she tries to figure out, ultimately, who she is and where she fits in the world. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is SUCH a cute, but entertaining story! It has engaging and fun writing, great characters, and messages that are important, but delivered in a way that is not preachy.
The characters in this novel are such vibrant individuals and many of them have a great sense of humour! I knew right from the first page that the I’d like the Feinstein family - we meet her dad, a math teacher, right away and he is wearing a Math Teacher's Play By the Numbers t-shirt and he is in a Great Gatsby phase because his students are reading it (although Tara remarks that this is MUCH better than his steampunk phase, haha)!! How funny is that? Tara is a wonderful main character, funny and thoughtful, and I think she embodied the worries of a 12 year-old girl perfectly. She asked a lot of questions about life, religion and culture that I think are relevant at that stage in life. I loved her curiosity and how hard she thought things through! Ben-O was a great character too, and his attempts to take their friendship to the boyfriend/girlfriend level were embarrassingly cute. I liked how it was a progression, and not always a clear one either, and they were both concerned about how it would affect their friendship. I wasn't as big of fans of Rebecca and Sheila, but I did like what they contributed to the story.
You can read the rest of this review (available 09/30/13), here, at Bookish Comforts.
Disclaimer:I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tara is 12 and she has some biiiiiig things weighing on her mind: what does it mean to be Indian AND Jewish? Does she want to go through with her Bat Mitzvah? Why is her best friend, Ben-O, acting so weird lately? And is she losing her other best friend too?! Throughout My Basmati Bat Mitzvah Tara contemplates these questions among many others as she tries to figure out, ultimately, who she is and where she fits in the world. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah is SUCH a cute, but entertaining story! It has engaging and fun writing, great characters, and messages that are important, but delivered in a way that is not preachy.
The characters in this novel are such vibrant individuals and many of them have a great sense of humour! I knew right from the first page that the I’d like the Feinstein family - we meet her dad, a math teacher, right away and he is wearing a Math Teacher's Play By the Numbers t-shirt and he is in a Great Gatsby phase because his students are reading it (although Tara remarks that this is MUCH better than his steampunk phase, haha)!! How funny is that? Tara is a wonderful main character, funny and thoughtful, and I think she embodied the worries of a 12 year-old girl perfectly. She asked a lot of questions about life, religion and culture that I think are relevant at that stage in life. I loved her curiosity and how hard she thought things through! Ben-O was a great character too, and his attempts to take their friendship to the boyfriend/girlfriend level were embarrassingly cute. I liked how it was a progression, and not always a clear one either, and they were both concerned about how it would affect their friendship. I wasn't as big of fans of Rebecca and Sheila, but I did like what they contributed to the story.
You can read the rest of this review (available 09/30/13), here, at Bookish Comforts.
Disclaimer:I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2013
Tara’s father is Jewish and her mother is East Indian, so Tara has mixed feelings about her upcoming bat mitzvah. Some of the kids in her Hebrew class even wonder if she is actually Jewish at all. Tara though is more concerned with whether she actually believes in God and if she doesn’t, does that mean that she can’t have a bat mitzvah? She also worries about what celebrating this side of her family says to the other side. So Tara decides to make sure that both sides of her family are represented by wearing a family sari that had been passed down for generations. Unfortunately though, the sari is accidentally burned and Tara has to figure out how to tell her mother about it. But that’s not the only complexity in Tara’s life. Her best friend Rebecca seems to be spending more time with another girl, someone that Tara doesn’t get along with. Her other best friend Ben-o seems interested in being more than friends sometimes but other times spends a lot of time with another girl. It’s up to Tara to navigate all of the confusion and make her bat mitzvah her own.
Freedman very successfully tells the story of a young woman dealing with two distinct family heritages. Happily, she doesn’t feel the need to build heightened angst about it, allowing Tara’s personal doubts to really drive this part of the story. Her family around her does not have the same feelings, sharing holidays with one another and enjoying the same foods, most of the time.
The book has a lightness of tone that makes the book very enjoyable. Freedman explores bullying with a perfect touch, but less successfully explores the underlying issues. Tara is a strong heroine who is far from perfect. She has a temper, responds physically at times, and can be too self-absorbed to really see what is happening with her friends.
Hurrah for a book with a brown-skinned girl right on the cover that explores her multicultural heritage in such a straight-forward way! Appropriate for ages 11-13.
Freedman very successfully tells the story of a young woman dealing with two distinct family heritages. Happily, she doesn’t feel the need to build heightened angst about it, allowing Tara’s personal doubts to really drive this part of the story. Her family around her does not have the same feelings, sharing holidays with one another and enjoying the same foods, most of the time.
The book has a lightness of tone that makes the book very enjoyable. Freedman explores bullying with a perfect touch, but less successfully explores the underlying issues. Tara is a strong heroine who is far from perfect. She has a temper, responds physically at times, and can be too self-absorbed to really see what is happening with her friends.
Hurrah for a book with a brown-skinned girl right on the cover that explores her multicultural heritage in such a straight-forward way! Appropriate for ages 11-13.
October 26, 2014
Paula J. Freedman’s My Basmati Bat Mitzvah tells the story of Tara Feinstein, a young girl about to embark on one of the most important events in her life: her Bat Mitzvah, an important coming of age ceremony in the Jewish religion. While most of Tara’s friends are committed to becoming a bar or bat mitzvah, Tara has some reservations and questions about how to balance her loyalties between her Jewish and Indian cultures.
While this book was written for a specific audience (middle schoolers), the characters and situations are very relatable. Tara comes from different backgrounds and naturally wants to honor and respect both cultures. She is well-versed in both cultures and loves sharing in her wisdom. I thought of the book as a mini crash course in Jewish and Indian customs and cultures, and I enjoyed learning a lot about both.
Tara really grows throughout the story. In the beginning, she acts like a typical teenager and is admittedly unsure of herself and her religious choices. But by the end of the book, she has matured immensely, has grown in her faith, has embraced both cultures and has found a way to integrate them into her life.
The cultural education one gets from this book is fantastic; I loved learning about the Indian culture as well as my own Jewish culture and traditions. (And the glossary at the end is so helpful in explaining the many Jewish/Yiddish and Hindi words and phrases used throughout the book.)
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah was published in 2013 by Amulet Books/Abrams. I received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley.
While this book was written for a specific audience (middle schoolers), the characters and situations are very relatable. Tara comes from different backgrounds and naturally wants to honor and respect both cultures. She is well-versed in both cultures and loves sharing in her wisdom. I thought of the book as a mini crash course in Jewish and Indian customs and cultures, and I enjoyed learning a lot about both.
Tara really grows throughout the story. In the beginning, she acts like a typical teenager and is admittedly unsure of herself and her religious choices. But by the end of the book, she has matured immensely, has grown in her faith, has embraced both cultures and has found a way to integrate them into her life.
The cultural education one gets from this book is fantastic; I loved learning about the Indian culture as well as my own Jewish culture and traditions. (And the glossary at the end is so helpful in explaining the many Jewish/Yiddish and Hindi words and phrases used throughout the book.)
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah was published in 2013 by Amulet Books/Abrams. I received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley.
August 11, 2013
My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman- Realistic Fiction/Multicultural – 6th grade and up- What? Another book that uses Yiddish, has humor, realistic fiction, and integrates in cultural issues? Beautiful, right up my alley it seems like lately. This is a middle school/high school book filled with a myriad of wonderful family characters who surround a somewhat clueless, thoughtful, very intelligent girl who has committed to having her Bat Mitzvah but wishes to integrate in her Hindi family traditions into the Bat Mitzvah in special ways. I loved how the author had family conflict between generations in addition to creating a realistic teen drama with a few interesting yet troubling characters. From a few boys who are already in trouble on the first day of school to a girl who has pulled out her hair and given herself a bald patch, these teens need some support… and they mostly receive it. I also loved the multicultural feel in the book that comes with a mix of parental cultures. I appreciated the in depth handy Hindi-Hebrew-Yiddish-English Vocabulary Guide (with a little bonus Punjabi) at the back of the book, I certainly needed it! This was a fun treat as a Netgalley read. Here were my highlighted favorites lines in the book:
“Gran had said it takes a simcha – a happy event- to bring the whole family together, and she was right.”
“But now I know that inspiration can come from many different sources, and that having multicultural experiences can actually make you stronger and more accepting of different points of view.”
“Too often, I think, poor communication with the people closest to us can lead to terrible misunderstandings.”
“Gran had said it takes a simcha – a happy event- to bring the whole family together, and she was right.”
“But now I know that inspiration can come from many different sources, and that having multicultural experiences can actually make you stronger and more accepting of different points of view.”
“Too often, I think, poor communication with the people closest to us can lead to terrible misunderstandings.”
March 9, 2016
Tara Feinstein is a typical New York City middle schooler, and like any middle school girl, she is struggling with her identity. She struggles even more because she is half Indian, and half Jewish and has begun her Hebrew studies for her Bat Mitzvah. Her parents had always told her that it was her decision to be Bat Mitzvahed, but she finds out that they had already booked the hall two years ago. She feels a bit betrayed by this, but had already decided that she would go through with it. She does not do this without reservations, as she fears what it means for her Indian identity. At the same time, Tara is experiencing changes with her two best friends, Ben-o (a Catholic) and Rebecca (a Jew). Ben-o is sending her mixed feelings and Rebecca is hanging out more with another Jewish girl. Along her journey, Tara becomes more mature, grows in her faith, and finds a way to embrace both of her cultures and integrate them into her life. This book is a wonderful look at a biracial girl, in an untraditional sense because of Tara’s Indian and Jewish background. She is just a normal middle school girl who faces typical problems with her friends and possible boyfriends. Because the story is told from Tara’s perspective, Freedman is able to introduce more serious topics that do not bring the tone of the book down, but rather bring a sense of innocence to the topics. I love that there is a glossary at the end of the book for those of us that may be unfamiliar with Yiddish or Punjabi words. I would recommend this book for grades 5 and up.
August 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Originally I picked it up because I was curious to read about what it would be like for a young girl to embrace both her heritage as an Indian-American and her religion as a Jew, and I feel that Ms. Freedman did an excellent job showing us how Tara felt in a myriad of different situations involving the mix of the two. I also have to say that the author nailed what being a 12-year-old girl is like; it's been awhile since I was that age, but two years ago I worked with a group of 6th graders and Tara seemed almost exactly like some of the girls in that group, in a good way.
I also liked the little blossom of romance between Tara and her best friend, Ben-O (Benjamin). It felt like a nice touch, but it wasn't an overwhelming focus of the book or anything. I am secretly hoping for Ms. Freedman to write a sequel, because I want to see what Tara is like as she grows older!! She was such an interesting protagonist.
It was also interesting how Ms. Freedman managed to weave in serious elements to the story, such as a friend who shoplifts and who has trichotillomania (obsessive hair-pulling). And of course, the worries that Tara has about not knowing whether she believes in God or not, as she prepares for her Bat Mitzvah.
Well done, Ms. Freedman. Well done, indeed. I will definitely be keeping this author on my radar.
Many thanks to Amulet Books via NetGalley for an opportunity to read and review this book.
I also liked the little blossom of romance between Tara and her best friend, Ben-O (Benjamin). It felt like a nice touch, but it wasn't an overwhelming focus of the book or anything. I am secretly hoping for Ms. Freedman to write a sequel, because I want to see what Tara is like as she grows older!! She was such an interesting protagonist.
It was also interesting how Ms. Freedman managed to weave in serious elements to the story, such as a friend who shoplifts and who has trichotillomania (obsessive hair-pulling). And of course, the worries that Tara has about not knowing whether she believes in God or not, as she prepares for her Bat Mitzvah.
Well done, Ms. Freedman. Well done, indeed. I will definitely be keeping this author on my radar.
Many thanks to Amulet Books via NetGalley for an opportunity to read and review this book.
September 23, 2013
This book could have been another boring, cliché filled book, but instead I found it to be a delightful coming of age book about a young girl, daughter of an Indian mother, converted to Judaism, and Jewish father. As her Bat Mitzvah approaches, she has many doubts, doubts about the existence of God and about her identity.
Tara doesn't want to betray the Indian side of her, especially her beloved deceased Nani and Nanaji. Adding to these doubts are the comments from one of her Hebrew school classmates who accuses her of not being Jewish. Her rabbi is able to counsel her by telling her it was okay to have questions and to keep and open mind and heart “find comfort in your doubts.”
While Tara wants to wear her Aunt’s sari, her mother insists she must wear a dress, but Tara is a delightfully strong individual and she has her mind made up. She may be confused about her friends and jealous when her best friend Rebecca starts hanging out with another girl, but she has strong opinions and tastes and they’re not copies of her friends’.
The only problem I had with the book is one I've seen in other Bar/Bat Mitzvah fiction, and that is that the coming of age ritual is presented sort of in a vacuum. There may be a certain amount of Hebrew School connected to it, but no synagogue attendance or home rituals. It’s like the ritual is out of context. Aside from this I loved Tara and her “desi mishpacha” and her strong sense of self.
Tara doesn't want to betray the Indian side of her, especially her beloved deceased Nani and Nanaji. Adding to these doubts are the comments from one of her Hebrew school classmates who accuses her of not being Jewish. Her rabbi is able to counsel her by telling her it was okay to have questions and to keep and open mind and heart “find comfort in your doubts.”
While Tara wants to wear her Aunt’s sari, her mother insists she must wear a dress, but Tara is a delightfully strong individual and she has her mind made up. She may be confused about her friends and jealous when her best friend Rebecca starts hanging out with another girl, but she has strong opinions and tastes and they’re not copies of her friends’.
The only problem I had with the book is one I've seen in other Bar/Bat Mitzvah fiction, and that is that the coming of age ritual is presented sort of in a vacuum. There may be a certain amount of Hebrew School connected to it, but no synagogue attendance or home rituals. It’s like the ritual is out of context. Aside from this I loved Tara and her “desi mishpacha” and her strong sense of self.
January 19, 2014
I literally just finished the book a few seconds ago, but I feel as if it is completely necessary for me to write a review for this book since it is honestly nothing like I have ever read before. I mean that in the best possible way that this book is so unique and just really stood out to me.
I mean seriously how many books are there that are about both being Jewish and being Indian American. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah does an excellent job at describing how the main character Tara learns how to balance being both Jewish and Indian. The book is not only serious at times, but also very funny and even educational as I learned some new lingo. There is even a dictionary at the end that includes not only Hebrew, Yiddish, but also Hindi words which is extremely useful if any point you are even the slightest bit confused.
If I adored the book so much you are probably wondering why I did not rate the book 5 stars. To be honest I would rate the book 4.5 stars but Goodreads does not have that option so 4 stars it is. I felt as though the boyfriend/girlfriend aspect was completely unnecessary in the book since there was already so much going on in this book and in my opinion it did not really add anything to the book. Also the whole best friend liking the best friend more than just friend is alittle too overdone and obvious but overall the book was excellent and I would recommend it!!
I mean seriously how many books are there that are about both being Jewish and being Indian American. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah does an excellent job at describing how the main character Tara learns how to balance being both Jewish and Indian. The book is not only serious at times, but also very funny and even educational as I learned some new lingo. There is even a dictionary at the end that includes not only Hebrew, Yiddish, but also Hindi words which is extremely useful if any point you are even the slightest bit confused.
If I adored the book so much you are probably wondering why I did not rate the book 5 stars. To be honest I would rate the book 4.5 stars but Goodreads does not have that option so 4 stars it is. I felt as though the boyfriend/girlfriend aspect was completely unnecessary in the book since there was already so much going on in this book and in my opinion it did not really add anything to the book. Also the whole best friend liking the best friend more than just friend is alittle too overdone and obvious but overall the book was excellent and I would recommend it!!
September 9, 2016
The main character of “My Basmati Bat Mitzvah” by Paula J. Freedom, is an Asian-Jewish-American girl called Tara Feinstein. Tara grows up in New York and her father is Jewish whereas her mom Hindu, but converted to Judaism before their wedding. Since a couple of years, Tara goes to Hebrew school to prepare for her bat mitzvah. As the day of this important Jewish ritual is approaching, she is questioning her belief in god and is afraid of becoming less Indian. Tara tries to bring both cultures the Indian and the Jewish in the celebrations of her bat mitzvah. The twelve-year-old Tara needs to deal with more problems. Tara was looking forward to work together with her best friend Ben-o in robotics but her teacher paired her with the nerd Ryan Berger who is interested in her. To make matters worse Ben-o one day seems to want more then friendship, another day he seems to be interested in another girl.
I personally like about this book, that it provides in the end some Indian recipes and a Glossary to explain the meaning of all the Yidsish and Punjabi terms used. As in other diverse books Tara is torn between the Jewish and the Indian culture. But I think it is quite unique that she embraces and honors both cultures. I would recommend this book to middle schoolers.
I personally like about this book, that it provides in the end some Indian recipes and a Glossary to explain the meaning of all the Yidsish and Punjabi terms used. As in other diverse books Tara is torn between the Jewish and the Indian culture. But I think it is quite unique that she embraces and honors both cultures. I would recommend this book to middle schoolers.
September 9, 2016
Tara Feinstein is a typical teenage girl dealing with school, friends, frienemies, crushes, and all things coming of age- including planning her bat mitzvah. In midst of all her teen drama, Tara struggles with juggling her Jewish and Indian identities, multiculturalism, religion, fitting into and breaking stereotypes, and discovering who she really is.
Overall, this book is a successful basic introduction to multiculturalism. However, the author relies heavily on the 5 F's (flags, fashion, food, festivals, and faces) to explain Indian and Jewish cultures. While basic, the author's portrayal of both cultures lays a foundation for readers with little to understanding of either culture. The book's depth regarding diversity comes from Tara's struggle with her multiculturalism, as it highlights the complexities of having multiple (and sometimes conflicting) identities and how it shapes a person. This book may provide a mirror for an individual trying to balance their own cultures and identities.
The book's basic plot, generic "teen" language, and structure would probably appeal younger readers, therefore I would recommend this book to 5th grade - 7th grade readers.
Overall, this book is a successful basic introduction to multiculturalism. However, the author relies heavily on the 5 F's (flags, fashion, food, festivals, and faces) to explain Indian and Jewish cultures. While basic, the author's portrayal of both cultures lays a foundation for readers with little to understanding of either culture. The book's depth regarding diversity comes from Tara's struggle with her multiculturalism, as it highlights the complexities of having multiple (and sometimes conflicting) identities and how it shapes a person. This book may provide a mirror for an individual trying to balance their own cultures and identities.
The book's basic plot, generic "teen" language, and structure would probably appeal younger readers, therefore I would recommend this book to 5th grade - 7th grade readers.
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