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I'm from Here Too
Kashmira Sheth's eloquent verse novel follows an Indian American Sikh boy through a year of change, challenges, and growth
Anoop is many things: a brother, a son, a grandson, a friend, a middle school student, and a budding writer. He is also Indian American and Sikh.
When he joins a new class, separated from longtime friends, aspects of his identity—especially his long hair, concealed under a turban—draws attention in new and uncomfortable ways. At the same time, his beloved grandfather in India is nearing death, leading Anoop to think about faith and identity and his place in the world, especially as attacks on American Sikhs accelerate and he is reminded of his grandfather’s experiences during Partition.
Can the tenets of his faith—equality, justice, service, honesty—help Anoop navigate life? Can he even maintain them?
Anoop is many things: a brother, a son, a grandson, a friend, a middle school student, and a budding writer. He is also Indian American and Sikh.
When he joins a new class, separated from longtime friends, aspects of his identity—especially his long hair, concealed under a turban—draws attention in new and uncomfortable ways. At the same time, his beloved grandfather in India is nearing death, leading Anoop to think about faith and identity and his place in the world, especially as attacks on American Sikhs accelerate and he is reminded of his grandfather’s experiences during Partition.
Can the tenets of his faith—equality, justice, service, honesty—help Anoop navigate life? Can he even maintain them?
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2024
5 people are currently reading
1787 people want to read
About the author
Kashmira Sheth
30 books97 followersKashmira Sheth grew up in Bhavangar, Gujarat, for eight years, when she was three she joined Montessori school. She lived with her grandparents, because her parents lived in Mumbai three hundred miles away from Bhavangar.
At eight years Sheth, left Bhavangar, for Mumbai.
She did her studying there until she was seventeen. She left Mumbai, to go to college, in Ames Iowa to do her BS at Iowa State University. Many people ask her why she chose Iowa. "I chose Iowa State, because my uncle worked there as a professor." is the answer.
She is the author of 7 books, two of them are picture books, called "My Dadima Wears a Sari." and "Monsoon Rains"
She has three books meant for teens.
The fist one is called "Blue Jasmine"; which is about a girl named Seema who moved from India to Iowa.
The second one is called; 'Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet'; this book is about a girl who is sixteen named Jeeta, her two sisters are married
and now its her turn. Trouble is she does not want an arranged marriage.
The last one and the most currents one is called, "Keeping Corner". This one is about a girl who is thirteen, named Leela, is widowed. She was married at age nine, and was about to be sent off to live with her husband. But her husband gets bitten by a venomous snake, and dies. Leela faces hardship, anger, and frustration. She is forced to shave her head, and never ever wear jewellery or colors. This takes place in the Gandhi era.
Sheth is publishing a book called "Boys Without Names." in 2010
Kashmira Sheth is now with her two daughters; Neha and Rupa, her husband in Madison Wisconsin.
At eight years Sheth, left Bhavangar, for Mumbai.
She did her studying there until she was seventeen. She left Mumbai, to go to college, in Ames Iowa to do her BS at Iowa State University. Many people ask her why she chose Iowa. "I chose Iowa State, because my uncle worked there as a professor." is the answer.
She is the author of 7 books, two of them are picture books, called "My Dadima Wears a Sari." and "Monsoon Rains"
She has three books meant for teens.
The fist one is called "Blue Jasmine"; which is about a girl named Seema who moved from India to Iowa.
The second one is called; 'Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet'; this book is about a girl who is sixteen named Jeeta, her two sisters are married
and now its her turn. Trouble is she does not want an arranged marriage.
The last one and the most currents one is called, "Keeping Corner". This one is about a girl who is thirteen, named Leela, is widowed. She was married at age nine, and was about to be sent off to live with her husband. But her husband gets bitten by a venomous snake, and dies. Leela faces hardship, anger, and frustration. She is forced to shave her head, and never ever wear jewellery or colors. This takes place in the Gandhi era.
Sheth is publishing a book called "Boys Without Names." in 2010
Kashmira Sheth is now with her two daughters; Neha and Rupa, her husband in Madison Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 29, 2024
The Sikh voice is one I have been missing in middle grades/young adult fiction. Although I am not a religious person, I am always looking for books with more representation to share with my students and this one nailed it with a story that is representative of those within the culture, informative to those outside of the culture, and relatable to everyone with the themes and conflicts explored. Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC!
August 31, 2024
3.5 stars. I’ve never read a book with Sikh characters, so this was an eye-opening read. This book is just nothing special and tries to tackle a lot in too little time, so I’m not sure it all works imo. Thanks Libro.fm for the educator ALC!
May 17, 2024
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
Anoop and his family live in Wisconsin, where his father is a heart surgeon and his mother runs a clothing import business. Most of their family still lives in India, including the father's father, Baba. There is a lot of history in the family background; the grandfather was just 13 in 1947 when his family was killed during the Partition. He survived because he was in a tree house at the time. Because there are few people of color in their town, and because his family is Sikh, Anoop has to deal with his classmates not understanding the patka (head covering) he wears over his hair, which he has never cut. Two students in particular, Albert and Ned, are constantly saying things and even pushing Anoop and touching his head. Their teacher, the young Ms. Strickton, takes a dim view of this behavior and doesn't let them get away with bullying when they are in her class. Anoop best friend, Jacob, is supportive of Anoop and understands his family and religion, but he doesn't always stand up for his friend, adding to Anoop's stress. When Baba has pneumonia, Anoop and his father go to visit, and Anoop has a school project about his experience to turn in when he returns. Being in India is a good break from the racial discrimination in Wisconsin, but some members of his family tell Anoop that he is "too American". His cousin Jeet puts a stop to that, and shows Anoop the great things about the country that Anoop's family left. Upon his return, Albert and Ned physically assault him and threaten to cut his hair. He finally tells his parents about the bullying, but asks for a little time because the school is involved. He befriends a new boy, Chris Larson, whom Albert and Ned are not nice to, and after Baba passes away, changes his project to fully cover the history of his family. Ned, at least, gains a new understanding for Anoop, and things are slightly better.
Strengths: This is a novel in verse, which is a good fit since Anoop likes to write poetry and has an introspective nature. I enjoyed the fact that Jacob was well versed in the food and traditions of his friend's culture. Indian writers are the absolute best when it comes to describing food, and Sheth does a particularly good job!
Weaknesses: The novel in verse format always leaves me wanting more information about a lot of things. I loved Sheth's Blue Jasmine (2004) and Boys Without Names (2010), and know that she does an equally good prose novel.
What I really think: Combining history with a family experience is always a winning combination. This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoyed Chen's With Twice the Love, Dessie Mae, Hudson's The Reckoning, Respicio's Any Day With You, and especially Bajaj's Count Me In, Faruqi, Saadia. The Partition Project, and Senzai, N.H. Ticket to India.
Anoop and his family live in Wisconsin, where his father is a heart surgeon and his mother runs a clothing import business. Most of their family still lives in India, including the father's father, Baba. There is a lot of history in the family background; the grandfather was just 13 in 1947 when his family was killed during the Partition. He survived because he was in a tree house at the time. Because there are few people of color in their town, and because his family is Sikh, Anoop has to deal with his classmates not understanding the patka (head covering) he wears over his hair, which he has never cut. Two students in particular, Albert and Ned, are constantly saying things and even pushing Anoop and touching his head. Their teacher, the young Ms. Strickton, takes a dim view of this behavior and doesn't let them get away with bullying when they are in her class. Anoop best friend, Jacob, is supportive of Anoop and understands his family and religion, but he doesn't always stand up for his friend, adding to Anoop's stress. When Baba has pneumonia, Anoop and his father go to visit, and Anoop has a school project about his experience to turn in when he returns. Being in India is a good break from the racial discrimination in Wisconsin, but some members of his family tell Anoop that he is "too American". His cousin Jeet puts a stop to that, and shows Anoop the great things about the country that Anoop's family left. Upon his return, Albert and Ned physically assault him and threaten to cut his hair. He finally tells his parents about the bullying, but asks for a little time because the school is involved. He befriends a new boy, Chris Larson, whom Albert and Ned are not nice to, and after Baba passes away, changes his project to fully cover the history of his family. Ned, at least, gains a new understanding for Anoop, and things are slightly better.
Strengths: This is a novel in verse, which is a good fit since Anoop likes to write poetry and has an introspective nature. I enjoyed the fact that Jacob was well versed in the food and traditions of his friend's culture. Indian writers are the absolute best when it comes to describing food, and Sheth does a particularly good job!
Weaknesses: The novel in verse format always leaves me wanting more information about a lot of things. I loved Sheth's Blue Jasmine (2004) and Boys Without Names (2010), and know that she does an equally good prose novel.
What I really think: Combining history with a family experience is always a winning combination. This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoyed Chen's With Twice the Love, Dessie Mae, Hudson's The Reckoning, Respicio's Any Day With You, and especially Bajaj's Count Me In, Faruqi, Saadia. The Partition Project, and Senzai, N.H. Ticket to India.
July 25, 2024
Anoop is 13, and worried about starting 8th grade since he has no classes with his best friend, Jacob, and Anoop is the only Sikh in his grade; his siblings and he are the only Sikhs in the entire [Wisconsin?] school. There's a bully in all Anoop's classes, though, and he's picked up a toady who joins in on the bullying. In addition to that, Anoop is worried about his baba (grandfather) in India, whose health is not good. Anoop is also worried about his upcoming Amrit ceremony, when he comes of age in his religion, because he's not entirely sure about his faith. What is faith? Will a trip to India to see his relatives there help?
I loved this novel in verse, with all of its wonderful descriptions of food (made me so hungry!), places, traditions, etc. It's a wonderful insight into the Sikh faith, which I didn't know much about. There aren't a ton of books that talk so deeply about religious faith, and especially the Sikh faith, so I think this is a really welcome addition to middle school literature. Anoop is a sympathetic character, kind, sweet, loyal, questioning (his faith). He makes both good and bad decisions, which is really what being thirteen is about. I will say that some of the "poems" sounded a lot like prose broken up into poetry-like lines, but oh well--it moved the plot forward. Highly recommended. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
I loved this novel in verse, with all of its wonderful descriptions of food (made me so hungry!), places, traditions, etc. It's a wonderful insight into the Sikh faith, which I didn't know much about. There aren't a ton of books that talk so deeply about religious faith, and especially the Sikh faith, so I think this is a really welcome addition to middle school literature. Anoop is a sympathetic character, kind, sweet, loyal, questioning (his faith). He makes both good and bad decisions, which is really what being thirteen is about. I will say that some of the "poems" sounded a lot like prose broken up into poetry-like lines, but oh well--it moved the plot forward. Highly recommended. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
October 11, 2024
Anoop (13) is bullied at school for being a Sikh - lets his hair grow long for religious reasons, puts it up under his patka (head covering). It doesn't help that he has no classes with his best friend so has to deal with everything on his own. At home, he is surrounded by a loving family and friends, but there is tension as Baba, his grandfather, is very ill in India. Anoop convinces his parents to let him go to India with his father, taking 3 weeks off from school, but once there, he begins to feel like he doesn't belong in India or America. However, the trip allows Anoop to grow stronger in his faith, strengthen his ties with his Indian family, and returns home with ideas of how to deal with the bullies that touch his patka, his hair, and threaten to cut it off. The information into Indian culture and the Sikh religion are layered into the novel in verse poetry which reads more like prose most of the time. The coming of age story is strong, following not just Anoop, but some of the rest of his family and friends too as they all come into their own dealing with varius issues. There is a lot packed into the book so some plots and themes were not allowed to breathe the way they needed to. Overall, an instresting read.
July 4, 2024
The perfect MG novel in verse to read this July 4th.
🇺🇸
Anoop is like any other boy heading into 8th grade. When he realizes he and his best friend, Jacob, won’t have any classes together, he becomes frightened. Jacob has always been able to help Anoop when bullies come along, but now he’s on his own. As an Indian-American and also Sikh, Anoop is targeted for being different in his mostly-white school, but do these kids know that he’s from here too?
👳
This is a story of faith, growth and change surrounding one boy’s middle school journey and grandparent’s illness that has him recentering and rethinking the important aspects of his life. Those who fear that which is different need to read this book to get a unique perspective as to what many of our American students are going through everyday at school and home. The author’s note in particular was very important. This novel released this week. Thanks @librofm for the ALC. It was narrated extremely well.
CW: bullying, religion (theme), racism, shooting (mentioned), Islamophobia, vandalism, racial slurs
3.5 ⭐️ as it did drag a bit at times
🇺🇸
Anoop is like any other boy heading into 8th grade. When he realizes he and his best friend, Jacob, won’t have any classes together, he becomes frightened. Jacob has always been able to help Anoop when bullies come along, but now he’s on his own. As an Indian-American and also Sikh, Anoop is targeted for being different in his mostly-white school, but do these kids know that he’s from here too?
👳
This is a story of faith, growth and change surrounding one boy’s middle school journey and grandparent’s illness that has him recentering and rethinking the important aspects of his life. Those who fear that which is different need to read this book to get a unique perspective as to what many of our American students are going through everyday at school and home. The author’s note in particular was very important. This novel released this week. Thanks @librofm for the ALC. It was narrated extremely well.
CW: bullying, religion (theme), racism, shooting (mentioned), Islamophobia, vandalism, racial slurs
3.5 ⭐️ as it did drag a bit at times
July 2, 2024
This novel-in-verse tells the story of Anoop, an Indian American Sikh eighth-grader who navigates through a year filled with change, challenges, and personal growth. Anoop grapples with adjusting to a new class where his religious headwear draws unwarranted attention, leading him to contemplate his faith, identity, and role in the world. Anoop's journey takes him to India with his father, where he learns more about his family, his faith, and the history of India's partition. The novel offers insights into the Sikh religion, although the verse sometimes reads like prose, and the plot feels somewhat static despite numerous events. The author's note, which expresses the writer's appreciation for Sikhism's founder and details the Sikh community's response to the 2012 Oak Creek Gurudwara shooting, is important. Overall, it's an informative and heartfelt coming-of-age story.
August 29, 2024
This is a beautifully written story of a 13 year old boy who is bullied at school in the US for his Sikh faith. It portrays his growth in understanding and in faith under the support of his beloved grandfather in India, and eventually his parents and his teacher in the US to become the peaceful, open, brave kid he was meant to be. His grandfather lost his family in the partition of India. This is I think the 3rd Middle Grade published in 2024 about the effect of the Partition on generations of Indians and Pakistanis. ( The others are The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi and The Lion of the Sky by Ritu Hemnani)
A universal coming of age story but told with such clarity about the Sikh faith; the book can serve as an introduction to some Sikh beliefs, too.
A universal coming of age story but told with such clarity about the Sikh faith; the book can serve as an introduction to some Sikh beliefs, too.
July 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this novel in verse. Anoop is an American Indian Sikh teen. As he enters eighth grade, he is bullied relentlessly by a duo of classmates who have been mean in the past, but turn it up even more as Anoop does not have his best friend and ally Jacob in any of his classes. Not wanting to worry his parents, he keeps the bullying to himself. He jumps at the chance to visit his ailing grandfather when his father travels to India to be with him. There, Anoop learns even more about Sikhism and the beliefs he is striving to uphold. This would make an excellent window/mirror for middle school atudents - it is very informative. It’s quick, too! Recommended for grades 6+.
August 31, 2024
This book was SO GOOD. I was originally a little turned off by the cover (yes, I sometimes judge books by their covers) but wanted to give it a chance. The book was written in verse and pulled me in from the beginning. I always wanted to pick up the book to keep reading. I loved Anoop's journey with his faith and trying to handle things in the right way with his bullies. I loved how this book will help children better understand the Sikh faith and be more understanding of kids who wear a patka to school. I loved Anoop's friendship with his friend Jacob, his relationship with his siblings, his trip to India, his teacher, etc. Lots of great stuff in this book.
September 24, 2024
2.5 stars. I enjoyed listening to this book because I learned a good deal from it about Sikh faith, which I knew extremely little about beforehand. However, I can't help but think that if I had already known a little more about Sikhi going in, then the story itself would not have held any further interest for me. It's fine as a middle grade reader I guess, but there was nothing that really elevated the story in my opinion. Notwithstanding the frequent descriptions of Indian cuisine, the story as a whole was just kind of bland.
April 3, 2025
Excellent MG/YA book. I'm not usually a novel-in-verse kind of gal, but when we got this at my library, I knew I had to read it. Anoop is a Sikh middle schooler struggling with some pretty terrible bullies at his school - but also a very strong family connection, and a spiritual devotion. When his grandfather back in India gets really sick, he's worried, but a trip with his dad gives him a deeper connection to his family, his roots, his religion, and, himself. This writing flows fast and the storyline keeps you going. Excellent book!
September 11, 2024
It's lovely to see a book that centers a Sikh American family. I feel like I learned a lot about the beautiful core tenets of the religion, and it was wonderful to see such a strongly connected family. I also love that Anoop's friends stand by him and his teacher and principal are allies for him. I just wish for a little more...personality? Character? Anoop feels somewhat one dimensional to me, and his focus on religion and his family is 90% of what we see from him.
July 10, 2024
I’m so glad that this book has a middle grade boy protagonist who is proud of his Sikhism. However, the book is a standard and tired bullying narrative and I don’t believe that the narrator is a kid. It reads like an adult working through their childhood experiences, which is valid but not something that I think most young folks are interested in.
July 14, 2024
I do not understand the novel in verse hate. I love them. I loved quite a few things about this book- I loved the realistic nature of Anoop and his struggles with his bullies. I loved all the food described in this book. I loved the family relationships, the history of his life and his faith. I loved his grandfather’s story inside this story. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
September 15, 2024
A terrific story about diversity, fitting in, and staying true to your cultural heritage. The book has a fresh perspective with an Indian American Sikh main character navigating middle school. Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!
October 18, 2024
Great coming of young age story about a boy who is bullied in school for his Sikh religion. Quick read but you will definitely be in the main characters corner as he negotiates school and home life. Gives a nice insight into the religion without hitting the reader over the head.
November 28, 2024
Beautifully written novel in verse about acceptance. Focuses on the character’s religion and how it is a struggle to be accepted in his own country for his beliefs, but also the struggle to find his faith.
March 9, 2025
A beautiful, middle-grade book, about identity and belonging. My heart both ached and swelled for Anoop, as he grew in confidence and self-worth throughout the story. I learned a lot about Sikhism, which I didn't know much about before.
June 14, 2025
I love this book. A friend recommended this to me, and I'm so glad she did. This story told in verse was compelling and full of faith and a family who talked to each other, and supported each other. Would highly recommend.
September 6, 2024
Slow start, but a pretty solid ending.
October 29, 2024
Nice, very engaging and approachable book in verse about the Sikh faith, the history of the British partition of India and bullying.
December 12, 2024
A moving, coming-of-age, novel in verse about a young Sikh boy from Wisconsin.
February 18, 2025
Very educational but not my fav style for a kids book
June 29, 2025
Lovely book written in verse about a Sikh American boy and how he copes with a schoolyard bully with the help and love of his family.
January 9, 2025
A touching novel in verse. There was a lot that happened in the short novel which is why I gave it 3⭐️ because I felt like I needed more.
September 6, 2024
My review in School Library Journal:
Gr 4-7–Indian American eighth grader Anoop is the only Sikh boy in his grade. Unfortunately, his schedule for the new school year shares zero classes with his best friend, Jonas, so he feels alone. In Sikhism, hair is not cut for religious reasons, and Anoop is harassed relentlessly by the class bully and his new sidekick for wearing a patka (head covering). Because his Baba (grandfather) in India has fallen ill, Anoop hides the bullying from his parents so as not to worry them with another issue. When the opportunity emerges to visit India with his father, many cultural, familial, and historical anecdotes are shared that facilitate Anoop connecting more with his heritage before his upcoming Amrit coming-of-age ceremony. With so few books for youth featuring Sikhism, this is crucial representation of one Sikh boy’s experience. The novel-in-verse format includes couplets, free verse, and contrapuntal styles of poetry. While the form provides insight into Anoop’s narrative, the poems have line breaks that feel more like broken prose. However, the poetry is chock-full of powerful metaphors, many of which are sensory, and the food descriptions are tantalizing. The intergenerational relationships are introspective and detail historical events from the Partition and the Sikh tenets of honesty, justice, equality, and service, giving Anoop compelling strategies for dealing with bullies at school. Content advisory for racism, xenophobia, bullying, and slurs. Middle grade readers ready for young adult books can find more Sikh representation in Navdeep Singh Dhillon’s romcom Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions.VERDICT A worthy coming-of-age story with heart and hope.Reviewed by Lisa Krok , Aug 23, 2024
Gr 4-7–Indian American eighth grader Anoop is the only Sikh boy in his grade. Unfortunately, his schedule for the new school year shares zero classes with his best friend, Jonas, so he feels alone. In Sikhism, hair is not cut for religious reasons, and Anoop is harassed relentlessly by the class bully and his new sidekick for wearing a patka (head covering). Because his Baba (grandfather) in India has fallen ill, Anoop hides the bullying from his parents so as not to worry them with another issue. When the opportunity emerges to visit India with his father, many cultural, familial, and historical anecdotes are shared that facilitate Anoop connecting more with his heritage before his upcoming Amrit coming-of-age ceremony. With so few books for youth featuring Sikhism, this is crucial representation of one Sikh boy’s experience. The novel-in-verse format includes couplets, free verse, and contrapuntal styles of poetry. While the form provides insight into Anoop’s narrative, the poems have line breaks that feel more like broken prose. However, the poetry is chock-full of powerful metaphors, many of which are sensory, and the food descriptions are tantalizing. The intergenerational relationships are introspective and detail historical events from the Partition and the Sikh tenets of honesty, justice, equality, and service, giving Anoop compelling strategies for dealing with bullies at school. Content advisory for racism, xenophobia, bullying, and slurs. Middle grade readers ready for young adult books can find more Sikh representation in Navdeep Singh Dhillon’s romcom Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions.VERDICT A worthy coming-of-age story with heart and hope.Reviewed by Lisa Krok , Aug 23, 2024
March 22, 2024
This is a middle grade novel-in-verse about an Indian American Sikh boy, Anoop, starting 8th grade and experiencing bullying. He's also worried about his grandfather in India, who has pneumonia. Over winter vacation, he and his father visit India, and Anoop learns more about his grandfather's story during the Partition and what it means to be Sikh. When he returns home, he has more confidence in how to handle the bullies. However, the bullying increases.
I think this is the first time I've read a novel from a Sikh boy's perspective, and I really appreciate the perspective. I learned a lot about the Sikh religion and need to read more novels from that perspective, particularly ones by Sikh authors (I should note that while the author is Indian American, she is not Sikh).
Some areas dragged a bit, and I'm not convinced the poetry format was optimized, but I did enjoy it overall.
I think this is the first time I've read a novel from a Sikh boy's perspective, and I really appreciate the perspective. I learned a lot about the Sikh religion and need to read more novels from that perspective, particularly ones by Sikh authors (I should note that while the author is Indian American, she is not Sikh).
Some areas dragged a bit, and I'm not convinced the poetry format was optimized, but I did enjoy it overall.
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April 12, 2024A quietly powerful middle grade novel in verse. Explores bullying, cultural identity, and intergenerational family relationships. Really beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews