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Deepa, M.D.
A precocious seventh grader whose cancer has recently gone into remission assists her “medical detective” uncle while readjusting to life in middle school in this “infectiously entertaining” (Kirkus Reviews) middle grade debut novel that’s
Front Desk
meets
Roll with It
.
Twelve-year-old Deepa is ready to un-pause her life. After spending a year in the hospital, she’s itching for things to go back to the way they were before she got sick.
Only everything’s changed. Her parents treat her like she’s made of glass, there’s a mean girl out to get her, and her best friend Renée forgot to mention she has a whole new life now.
But when her Uncle Jai, a genius doctor that patients love to hate and the Sherlock Holmes of medical mysteries, needs her help with a tricky case involving a teenage patient, Deepa steps up to the plate—because she knows better than anyone what it’s like to be sick.
But why, oh why, did her first patient have to be her bully’s older brother?
As the case spirals and her illness flares up, Deepa quickly learns that if she wants to save her patient, she’ll have to diagnose what’s going on inside herself first.
Twelve-year-old Deepa is ready to un-pause her life. After spending a year in the hospital, she’s itching for things to go back to the way they were before she got sick.
Only everything’s changed. Her parents treat her like she’s made of glass, there’s a mean girl out to get her, and her best friend Renée forgot to mention she has a whole new life now.
But when her Uncle Jai, a genius doctor that patients love to hate and the Sherlock Holmes of medical mysteries, needs her help with a tricky case involving a teenage patient, Deepa steps up to the plate—because she knows better than anyone what it’s like to be sick.
But why, oh why, did her first patient have to be her bully’s older brother?
As the case spirals and her illness flares up, Deepa quickly learns that if she wants to save her patient, she’ll have to diagnose what’s going on inside herself first.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 6, 2026
10/6/2026 Just an exceptionally written book. Full review tk at TheFrumiousoConsortium.net.
10/14/2026 I kept having to put this Middle Grade novel off but am so glad I could finally make the time for it!
Deepa is a precocious 12 year-old who missed out on her entire first year of middle school while she was being treated for leukemia. Now she's determined to get back to being a regular middle schooler, and that means not letting anyone treat her like the "sick kid."
Unfortunately, her parents have other ideas. Their rules and restrictions feel both stifling and embarrassing. Her best friend Renee tries to help, but already seems to have a whole other life separate from what they shared in elementary school. Renee's new friend Lola is a mean girl who doesn't seem to like Deepa, who's already having trouble adjusting.
At least her life outside of school provides challenges that are more interesting than demoralizing. After getting roped into riding along on a house call with her physician Uncle Jai, Deepa becomes his partner in investigating the mysterious medical ailments of his patients. Uncle Jai is brilliant but not great with people, which is where Deepa steps in. She knows exactly what it feels like to be ill and at the mercy of doctors. Between the two of them, will they be able to not only help and heal others but also figure out how to make Deepa feel like she finally fits in at school?
There are so many amazing things to say about this delightful novel! I'm not the kind of book critic who enjoys doing comps, but this really does feel like 2026's version of Kelly Yang's superlative Front Desk. Deepa MD is smart and funny and entirely heartfelt, feeling like a genuinely comprehensive look at the life of a twelve year-old juggling a ton of responsibilities. Whether it's dissecting middle school cliques, the pressure on high-achieving youngsters or the world of medical mysteries, this novel examines and integrates all these topics with both heart and realism, eventually connecting them all into a believable and utterly satisfying tapestry.
But perhaps my absolute favorite aspect of this book was the way Deepa's cultural heritage was presented without a lick of self-consciousness. Priya Swaminathan explains what she needs to, but you never feel like she's trying to make excuses for featuring characters who live differently from the mainstream. Instead, Indian culture is treated as a given, a part of Deepa's life that might make her feel different but never lesser. It's so rare to see a book so matter-of-factly display diversity without ever apologizing for it. There's no guilt and no defiance -- and neither should there be. The characters and situations in this book just are. As a person of color who reads a lot of books written by minority authors, many of which are unfortunately but understandably permeated by an anxious desire to be understood and accepted, I can't even begin to tell you how wonderfully liberating and inspiring this attitude feels.
This was Ms Swaminathan's first book after two distinguished decades in film and TV (among other things, she was the head of film development at Annapurna Pictures and helped launch Higher Ground Productions, President Barack and Michelle Obama's production company.) She also just graduated from the UCLA School of Nursing in June! I am so impressed with her on every level, and sincerely hope I'll be able to read more of her excellent writing soon!
Deepa, M.D. by Priya Swaminathan was published May 19 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
10/14/2026 I kept having to put this Middle Grade novel off but am so glad I could finally make the time for it!
Deepa is a precocious 12 year-old who missed out on her entire first year of middle school while she was being treated for leukemia. Now she's determined to get back to being a regular middle schooler, and that means not letting anyone treat her like the "sick kid."
Unfortunately, her parents have other ideas. Their rules and restrictions feel both stifling and embarrassing. Her best friend Renee tries to help, but already seems to have a whole other life separate from what they shared in elementary school. Renee's new friend Lola is a mean girl who doesn't seem to like Deepa, who's already having trouble adjusting.
At least her life outside of school provides challenges that are more interesting than demoralizing. After getting roped into riding along on a house call with her physician Uncle Jai, Deepa becomes his partner in investigating the mysterious medical ailments of his patients. Uncle Jai is brilliant but not great with people, which is where Deepa steps in. She knows exactly what it feels like to be ill and at the mercy of doctors. Between the two of them, will they be able to not only help and heal others but also figure out how to make Deepa feel like she finally fits in at school?
There are so many amazing things to say about this delightful novel! I'm not the kind of book critic who enjoys doing comps, but this really does feel like 2026's version of Kelly Yang's superlative Front Desk. Deepa MD is smart and funny and entirely heartfelt, feeling like a genuinely comprehensive look at the life of a twelve year-old juggling a ton of responsibilities. Whether it's dissecting middle school cliques, the pressure on high-achieving youngsters or the world of medical mysteries, this novel examines and integrates all these topics with both heart and realism, eventually connecting them all into a believable and utterly satisfying tapestry.
But perhaps my absolute favorite aspect of this book was the way Deepa's cultural heritage was presented without a lick of self-consciousness. Priya Swaminathan explains what she needs to, but you never feel like she's trying to make excuses for featuring characters who live differently from the mainstream. Instead, Indian culture is treated as a given, a part of Deepa's life that might make her feel different but never lesser. It's so rare to see a book so matter-of-factly display diversity without ever apologizing for it. There's no guilt and no defiance -- and neither should there be. The characters and situations in this book just are. As a person of color who reads a lot of books written by minority authors, many of which are unfortunately but understandably permeated by an anxious desire to be understood and accepted, I can't even begin to tell you how wonderfully liberating and inspiring this attitude feels.
This was Ms Swaminathan's first book after two distinguished decades in film and TV (among other things, she was the head of film development at Annapurna Pictures and helped launch Higher Ground Productions, President Barack and Michelle Obama's production company.) She also just graduated from the UCLA School of Nursing in June! I am so impressed with her on every level, and sincerely hope I'll be able to read more of her excellent writing soon!
Deepa, M.D. by Priya Swaminathan was published May 19 2026 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Helping others with a sense of mystery mixes with the struggles of dealing with cancer and friendship drama to form a rich read.
Deepa has been battling leukemia and is, finally, at a stage where she's slowly working her way back into a somewhat normal life and heading back to school. This is proving to be difficult since there are things she still needs to watch compared to other kids her age and the friendship dynamics have changed drastically during the year she was at the hospital. So, there's a tumult of social drama she needs to deal with. But she's found a new aspect of life, too. Her uncle is a doctor, who only does house calls for those who don't want to go to a doctor's office for various reasons. Unfortunately, his bedside manner is awful. When Deepa gets the rare chance to accompany him on a trip and ends up meeting one of her idols, things change. Deepa can do what her uncle can't...relate to the people. Thanks to her own sickness, she has insights he doesn't. But when a trip with her uncle results in a very tough case to diagnose and it connects to bullying at school, too, life gets really sticky.
There are more than a couple things to enjoy in this read. First, Deepa's struggles with cancer are brought across with care, heart, and give awareness to the difficulties individuals like Deepa might face. Deepa isn't completely in the clear of her cancer battle, although she's getting close. She not only has to watch how she goes about her day and life...which makes her stick out at school...but she still carries the weight and also deals with the self-imaging issues that come with it. While this is brought across clearly, Deepa also tackles everything in a wholesome way, which makes her easy to cheer for. Her desire to help others, who are dealing with their own issues, is inspiring. Secondly, the doctor aspect is well done. Of course, Deepa isn't medically knowledgeable, and she doesn't even try to go there. By letting her uncle take over that aspect, the author has found a clever way to work in medical mysteries and challenges in a believable way while keeping Deepa tightly involved. The author's own medical knowledge offers a wonderful basis for this side, and the information is brought across clearly and understandably, while giving the needed sense of medical facts. And it fits the age group well while adding an interesting, mystery aspect. Thirdly, we have the family dynamics. Deepa garners a lot of support and care, which allow her to shine. Yet, the parents' concerns are also clear and clash with her own hopes realistically. Lastly, we have the friend drama. This aspect also adds a realistic touch on what individuals like Deepa face when they need to leave school life for awhile and come back, not only with their own health changes, but face the change that others went through during this time. Unfortunately, it's this friend drama, which also took up too much space, in my opinion, compared to the other aspects. There is so much back and forth on this end that it makes the story slightly confusing, at times, and pulls away from the more interesting aspects surrounding Deepa and the medical mysteries. Sometimes, less is more, and the friendship drama hits that here for me.
All in all, this is well done and keeps the pacing high throughout. Deepa is a character to root for, and I hope we get to see more of her in the future as she accompanies her uncle on visits, since this is such a clever way to open the theme door to middle graders and a fun read. I'm giving this 4.5 stars and rounding up.
Deepa has been battling leukemia and is, finally, at a stage where she's slowly working her way back into a somewhat normal life and heading back to school. This is proving to be difficult since there are things she still needs to watch compared to other kids her age and the friendship dynamics have changed drastically during the year she was at the hospital. So, there's a tumult of social drama she needs to deal with. But she's found a new aspect of life, too. Her uncle is a doctor, who only does house calls for those who don't want to go to a doctor's office for various reasons. Unfortunately, his bedside manner is awful. When Deepa gets the rare chance to accompany him on a trip and ends up meeting one of her idols, things change. Deepa can do what her uncle can't...relate to the people. Thanks to her own sickness, she has insights he doesn't. But when a trip with her uncle results in a very tough case to diagnose and it connects to bullying at school, too, life gets really sticky.
There are more than a couple things to enjoy in this read. First, Deepa's struggles with cancer are brought across with care, heart, and give awareness to the difficulties individuals like Deepa might face. Deepa isn't completely in the clear of her cancer battle, although she's getting close. She not only has to watch how she goes about her day and life...which makes her stick out at school...but she still carries the weight and also deals with the self-imaging issues that come with it. While this is brought across clearly, Deepa also tackles everything in a wholesome way, which makes her easy to cheer for. Her desire to help others, who are dealing with their own issues, is inspiring. Secondly, the doctor aspect is well done. Of course, Deepa isn't medically knowledgeable, and she doesn't even try to go there. By letting her uncle take over that aspect, the author has found a clever way to work in medical mysteries and challenges in a believable way while keeping Deepa tightly involved. The author's own medical knowledge offers a wonderful basis for this side, and the information is brought across clearly and understandably, while giving the needed sense of medical facts. And it fits the age group well while adding an interesting, mystery aspect. Thirdly, we have the family dynamics. Deepa garners a lot of support and care, which allow her to shine. Yet, the parents' concerns are also clear and clash with her own hopes realistically. Lastly, we have the friend drama. This aspect also adds a realistic touch on what individuals like Deepa face when they need to leave school life for awhile and come back, not only with their own health changes, but face the change that others went through during this time. Unfortunately, it's this friend drama, which also took up too much space, in my opinion, compared to the other aspects. There is so much back and forth on this end that it makes the story slightly confusing, at times, and pulls away from the more interesting aspects surrounding Deepa and the medical mysteries. Sometimes, less is more, and the friendship drama hits that here for me.
All in all, this is well done and keeps the pacing high throughout. Deepa is a character to root for, and I hope we get to see more of her in the future as she accompanies her uncle on visits, since this is such a clever way to open the theme door to middle graders and a fun read. I'm giving this 4.5 stars and rounding up.
May 27, 2026
Deepa is a 12-year-old girl who loves Indian dancing and volleyball and lives in Los Angeles with her devoted parents. She is also in remission from leukemia, and is going back to school for the first time in a year, with many health-related restrictions put in place by both her mother and the school’s principal. Since she can’t play volleyball, and her lifelong best friend Renée seems to have moved on with a new bestie, Lola, Deepa is struggling to find her niche in middle school. She is given the rundown of the various social cliques by Manu, a classmate in gym, but isn’t sure she fits with the Herbivores, the Tiktokers, or Progressive, and is definitely not a match for the mean girl VIPs (from which Lola has recently been ousted). She tries to renew her bond with Renée, even though she has led her to believe she is totally cancer-free and ready to resume her formerly active lifestyle. This leads to many awkward moments between the two girls, and honesty and trust becomes a major issue in their friendship.
Meanwhile, on the home front, Deepa is trying to begin a career as a medical detective and partner to her Uncle Jai. Jai is a brilliant doctor, but his prickly social skills and mercurial behavior have led him to a career as a “house call doctor,” and Deepa has shown that her experience as a cancer patient enables her to have empathy for the patients he visits. Their first case together involves a teen pop star named Willa, who is Deepa’s and Renée’s favorite singer. She helps Jai with the diagnosis, but is disappointed that she can’t tell her friend about it as Jai swears her to a junior version of the Hippocratic oath. Next up is a visit to Tayo, a young tennis player who is experiencing a rash, mysterious midnight cramps, and other strange symptoms. Tayo is Lola’s brother, which obviously complicates Deepa’s involvement in the case, which includes intrigue at the tennis club, performance enhancing drugs, and sibling rivalry. Deepa is also trying to solve her own medical mystery: convinced that her maintenance medications are causing brain fog, she decides to stop taking them cold turkey. This ill-advised idea lands her in the hospital, but ultimately enables her to come clean with Renée, build bridges with Lola, and help Jai solve his cases and move forward with his career.
Debut author Priya Swaminathan deftly weaves the many aspects of Deepa’s life into a compelling read that is both heavy with medical details (Swaminathan is a nurse, and credits her doctor brother for his help) and potential criminal activity, and light with quirky humor and typical middle school drama. Throughout the book, Deepa is determined not to be viewed by her peers as a “poor baby,” the girl who has leukemia and requires special treatment. Readers will certainly see her as a strong-willed, passionate character, whose sometimes misguided choices are understandable and realistic. Her first-person narration enables the audience to fully immerse themselves in her story, learn about her medical condition, and appreciate aspects of her cultural heritage. Deepa and her family are Indian American and diversity is implied among the cast of classmates, patients, and medical personnel. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Meanwhile, on the home front, Deepa is trying to begin a career as a medical detective and partner to her Uncle Jai. Jai is a brilliant doctor, but his prickly social skills and mercurial behavior have led him to a career as a “house call doctor,” and Deepa has shown that her experience as a cancer patient enables her to have empathy for the patients he visits. Their first case together involves a teen pop star named Willa, who is Deepa’s and Renée’s favorite singer. She helps Jai with the diagnosis, but is disappointed that she can’t tell her friend about it as Jai swears her to a junior version of the Hippocratic oath. Next up is a visit to Tayo, a young tennis player who is experiencing a rash, mysterious midnight cramps, and other strange symptoms. Tayo is Lola’s brother, which obviously complicates Deepa’s involvement in the case, which includes intrigue at the tennis club, performance enhancing drugs, and sibling rivalry. Deepa is also trying to solve her own medical mystery: convinced that her maintenance medications are causing brain fog, she decides to stop taking them cold turkey. This ill-advised idea lands her in the hospital, but ultimately enables her to come clean with Renée, build bridges with Lola, and help Jai solve his cases and move forward with his career.
Debut author Priya Swaminathan deftly weaves the many aspects of Deepa’s life into a compelling read that is both heavy with medical details (Swaminathan is a nurse, and credits her doctor brother for his help) and potential criminal activity, and light with quirky humor and typical middle school drama. Throughout the book, Deepa is determined not to be viewed by her peers as a “poor baby,” the girl who has leukemia and requires special treatment. Readers will certainly see her as a strong-willed, passionate character, whose sometimes misguided choices are understandable and realistic. Her first-person narration enables the audience to fully immerse themselves in her story, learn about her medical condition, and appreciate aspects of her cultural heritage. Deepa and her family are Indian American and diversity is implied among the cast of classmates, patients, and medical personnel. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
May 24, 2026
After missing in-person 6th grade while undergoing medical treatment for leukemia and being forced to homeschool for the year, Deepa can’t wait for 7th grade to get underway so she can fully reconnect with best friend Renee and find her new niche. Unfortunately, her parents seem to think that keeping her extra curricular activities at near zero and putting numerous supports in place on campus is keeping her from really engaging with anyone and the rumors flying about her year long absence and possibly contagion still coursing through her body. Then her house call doctor uncle is forced to take her along on a home visit and she is able to contribute to his treatment of high profile singer Willa and Deepa is certain that with her powers of observation and people skills she can help her antagonistic and socially inept but gifted diagnostician Uncle Jai do his job even more effectively. But secrets, friendship drama, rebellion and health scare all collide to turn Deepa’s life, and those of some of her friends and family, upside down.
Author Priya Swaminathan calls upon her own Indian-American heritage to incorporate South Asian and Hindu culture into Deepa’s story, but the focus is on typical middle grade tropes such as finding one’s niche, learning to be true yourself, and being a good friend along with the less typical theme of dealing with chronic illness, trusting family & friends with information surrounding that illness. The main characters of Deepa, Renee, Uncle Jai, patients Willa and Tayo, and frenemie Lola are equal parts interesting and relatable to most readers in the target age range. Plenty of solid information for readers on childhood cancer, how patients might experience treatment and ways they might respond to those who cope with cancer and other chronic illnesses. The plotline moves steadily and the medical detective element is well-executed and allows for plenty of speculation as it moves. Perfect for those who enjoy realistic fiction.
*Target age: grades 4-7
*Profanity: none
*Violence: none (Except for cancer and a variety of other illnesses that attack bodies)
*Representation: Main and supporting characters with South Asian, Hispanic, Caucasian and Black heritages; variety of family configurations, wide range of economic levels among families and Deepa’s classmates
*LBGTQ+: Manu is a member of the school’s Progress/LBGTQ+ group but the specifics of his gender identity are unknown, however he is known for his use of eyeliner and black nail polish; at one point Deepa’s uncle lists people who do not like him and includes “ex-boyfriends” on that list; neither of these have any real influence on the plot progression
Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster.
Author Priya Swaminathan calls upon her own Indian-American heritage to incorporate South Asian and Hindu culture into Deepa’s story, but the focus is on typical middle grade tropes such as finding one’s niche, learning to be true yourself, and being a good friend along with the less typical theme of dealing with chronic illness, trusting family & friends with information surrounding that illness. The main characters of Deepa, Renee, Uncle Jai, patients Willa and Tayo, and frenemie Lola are equal parts interesting and relatable to most readers in the target age range. Plenty of solid information for readers on childhood cancer, how patients might experience treatment and ways they might respond to those who cope with cancer and other chronic illnesses. The plotline moves steadily and the medical detective element is well-executed and allows for plenty of speculation as it moves. Perfect for those who enjoy realistic fiction.
*Target age: grades 4-7
*Profanity: none
*Violence: none (Except for cancer and a variety of other illnesses that attack bodies)
*Representation: Main and supporting characters with South Asian, Hispanic, Caucasian and Black heritages; variety of family configurations, wide range of economic levels among families and Deepa’s classmates
*LBGTQ+: Manu is a member of the school’s Progress/LBGTQ+ group but the specifics of his gender identity are unknown, however he is known for his use of eyeliner and black nail polish; at one point Deepa’s uncle lists people who do not like him and includes “ex-boyfriends” on that list; neither of these have any real influence on the plot progression
Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 stars
This middle grade novel took me by surprise in the very best way. There is SO much to like about it, and many young readers (and as is the case with all solid MG and YA, readers of ALL ages) will find a charming and hopeful novel that covers a lesser discussed topic.
Readers get on board with Deepa immediately because she is witty, holds her own, and is clearly going through a lot. Deepa will be the first to note she hates the 'poor baby' face, so you've been warned. Unfortunately, Deepa gets that a lot when people find out about a recent part of her experience; she has cancer. Though she went through a year of treatment and her prognosis is good, she is still taking drugs, she still feels physical impacts, she still has a port, and she still - understandably - worries (though not as much as her parents do, which is a whole other challenge for her).
Now I read A LOT of MG and YA not only because I teach it to adults, who are always voraciously asking for more recommendations and often with very niche focal points, but also because when it's done well, it's nearly unbeatable. I've definitely read a lot of content about kids who are facing all kinds of sicknesses. I'm not sure I've read one where the main character is in this particular medical situation. It's just handled so well. It's not overly rosy, and it's not overly dark.
In addition to the development of Deepa as a character and the handling of her own illness, Swaminathan really nails the ways in which even tough parts of our lives help us grow, have a new perspective, and develop empathy. In this case, Deepa's uncle, an outstanding character on his own, is a sort of Dr. House style medical detective. When folks can't figure out what's happening to you, he will. Deepa goes on one house call with him, and immediately readers get to see that her personal experience helps her spot things others don't AND express true help and comfort to other young people who are dealing with their own maladies. Through personal struggle, Deepa finds her calling.
On top of all of this, I loved the representation (and am always partial to anything happening locally, which, for me, this does. Even reading the word "Artesia" makes me hungry. IYKYK!).
I am extremely excited about this debut and can't wait to recommend it to my students. Of course, I'll be automatically queuing anything from this author in the future.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This middle grade novel took me by surprise in the very best way. There is SO much to like about it, and many young readers (and as is the case with all solid MG and YA, readers of ALL ages) will find a charming and hopeful novel that covers a lesser discussed topic.
Readers get on board with Deepa immediately because she is witty, holds her own, and is clearly going through a lot. Deepa will be the first to note she hates the 'poor baby' face, so you've been warned. Unfortunately, Deepa gets that a lot when people find out about a recent part of her experience; she has cancer. Though she went through a year of treatment and her prognosis is good, she is still taking drugs, she still feels physical impacts, she still has a port, and she still - understandably - worries (though not as much as her parents do, which is a whole other challenge for her).
Now I read A LOT of MG and YA not only because I teach it to adults, who are always voraciously asking for more recommendations and often with very niche focal points, but also because when it's done well, it's nearly unbeatable. I've definitely read a lot of content about kids who are facing all kinds of sicknesses. I'm not sure I've read one where the main character is in this particular medical situation. It's just handled so well. It's not overly rosy, and it's not overly dark.
In addition to the development of Deepa as a character and the handling of her own illness, Swaminathan really nails the ways in which even tough parts of our lives help us grow, have a new perspective, and develop empathy. In this case, Deepa's uncle, an outstanding character on his own, is a sort of Dr. House style medical detective. When folks can't figure out what's happening to you, he will. Deepa goes on one house call with him, and immediately readers get to see that her personal experience helps her spot things others don't AND express true help and comfort to other young people who are dealing with their own maladies. Through personal struggle, Deepa finds her calling.
On top of all of this, I loved the representation (and am always partial to anything happening locally, which, for me, this does. Even reading the word "Artesia" makes me hungry. IYKYK!).
I am extremely excited about this debut and can't wait to recommend it to my students. Of course, I'll be automatically queuing anything from this author in the future.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
May 21, 2026
What worked:
Deepa’s leukemia is in remission, but she tells everyone she knows that she’s cured. She just wants to get back to having a normal life, so she doesn’t even tell her best friend, Renee. Denying her actual condition causes Deepa to put her health in jeopardy, and readers will anticipate the consequences. Her behavior is ironic, since she wants to become her uncle’s medical partner. Patients call her uncle when their doctors can’t help, and he has a perfect record for diagnosing the causes of confusing symptoms. However, his people skills are lacking, and Deepa can calmly mediate his interactions with patients. She’s surprised when a patient won’t heed her uncle’s medical advice, but she’s doing the same thing in her own situation.
Medicine is similar to solving mysteries, as doctors must make observations and collect clues to understand their patients’ problems. Deepa’s uncle has the role of Sherlock Holmes, and Deepa compares herself to Dr. Watson. The newest patient happens to be the brother of Deepa’s nemesis, adding a complication to the plot. Their efforts face additional obstacles when they discover some characters are reluctant to be forthcoming with useful information. Tayo, the patient, isn’t telling his parents everything happening with his health, and other characters don’t seem to want Tayo to get better. Assumptions and lies make things more difficult.
Childhood diseases are a part of life, but they can be devastating for the patients and their families. Readers will learn about Deepa’s leukemia, from her initial symptoms to the treatments during the diagnosis and remission. Her parents are concerned about a possible relapse, so they’re overly protective. A young, world-famous pop star suffers dizzy spells that keep her from performing, so she doesn’t want to cancel her tour. The most confusing case will remind readers to be vigilant to stay safe from summertime dangers.
What didn’t work as well:
Many different things are going on in the story, and readers’ attention may become distracted. However, the author navigates the numerous problems to bring the story to an emotional climax and resolution.
The final verdict:
This book will appeal to mystery lovers, as Deepa is as obsessed as her uncle when it comes to deciphering symptoms. Honesty and friendships are topics that will resonate with all middle-grade readers. I recommend you give it a shot.
Deepa’s leukemia is in remission, but she tells everyone she knows that she’s cured. She just wants to get back to having a normal life, so she doesn’t even tell her best friend, Renee. Denying her actual condition causes Deepa to put her health in jeopardy, and readers will anticipate the consequences. Her behavior is ironic, since she wants to become her uncle’s medical partner. Patients call her uncle when their doctors can’t help, and he has a perfect record for diagnosing the causes of confusing symptoms. However, his people skills are lacking, and Deepa can calmly mediate his interactions with patients. She’s surprised when a patient won’t heed her uncle’s medical advice, but she’s doing the same thing in her own situation.
Medicine is similar to solving mysteries, as doctors must make observations and collect clues to understand their patients’ problems. Deepa’s uncle has the role of Sherlock Holmes, and Deepa compares herself to Dr. Watson. The newest patient happens to be the brother of Deepa’s nemesis, adding a complication to the plot. Their efforts face additional obstacles when they discover some characters are reluctant to be forthcoming with useful information. Tayo, the patient, isn’t telling his parents everything happening with his health, and other characters don’t seem to want Tayo to get better. Assumptions and lies make things more difficult.
Childhood diseases are a part of life, but they can be devastating for the patients and their families. Readers will learn about Deepa’s leukemia, from her initial symptoms to the treatments during the diagnosis and remission. Her parents are concerned about a possible relapse, so they’re overly protective. A young, world-famous pop star suffers dizzy spells that keep her from performing, so she doesn’t want to cancel her tour. The most confusing case will remind readers to be vigilant to stay safe from summertime dangers.
What didn’t work as well:
Many different things are going on in the story, and readers’ attention may become distracted. However, the author navigates the numerous problems to bring the story to an emotional climax and resolution.
The final verdict:
This book will appeal to mystery lovers, as Deepa is as obsessed as her uncle when it comes to deciphering symptoms. Honesty and friendships are topics that will resonate with all middle-grade readers. I recommend you give it a shot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Deepa spent her sixth grade year in the hospital, being treated for and recovering from cancer. Sixth grade, the first year of middle school. Now she's back at school, but everything feels different. She isn't sure where she fits. She's dealing with a lot of hard stuff. Her best friend has a whole life Deepa doesn't know about. She's hurt, she's confused, she's lonely. And she still hasn't come to terms with the disease that took a year from her life. She has no one to share those feelings with. Her parents are completely overprotective. She finds purpose in helping her Uncle, a doctor. When she's helping him, she can forget about her own problems.
It was easy to empathize with Deepa. Anyone who has ever had the feeling of being left out, or of asking why something bad happened to them or just plain being angry and confused and having no one to confide in, can connect with her. This story was difficult to read at times. I just wanted to reach in and give Deepa the hug she so desperately needed. The best part of the book, thought, was watching her start to grow and appreciate the girl who had made it through a really hard time. In helping her Uncle, she ended up taking a good look at how she was acting. Even though some of her thoughts may have been a little older than her, the author never let the reader forget this was a young girl navigating middle school. I think middle schoolers who read this book will easily identify with everything Deepa is feeling as they may be encountering so many of the same feelings she is.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Shuster Children's Publishing for a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was easy to empathize with Deepa. Anyone who has ever had the feeling of being left out, or of asking why something bad happened to them or just plain being angry and confused and having no one to confide in, can connect with her. This story was difficult to read at times. I just wanted to reach in and give Deepa the hug she so desperately needed. The best part of the book, thought, was watching her start to grow and appreciate the girl who had made it through a really hard time. In helping her Uncle, she ended up taking a good look at how she was acting. Even though some of her thoughts may have been a little older than her, the author never let the reader forget this was a young girl navigating middle school. I think middle schoolers who read this book will easily identify with everything Deepa is feeling as they may be encountering so many of the same feelings she is.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Shuster Children's Publishing for a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 19, 2026
"Who decided that being a patient meant you had to be patient? Whoever it was, I bet they were never sick."
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: cancer
I really enjoyed reading Deepa, M.D.! My favourite aspect was the strong character development we saw from Deepa. Seeing her confidence grow and learning that it was okay to rely on others for help was very heartwarming! The focus on relationships, both with family and friends, was interesting to read. I especially liked Deepa's dynamic with her uncle, seeing how they both used their strengths to help patients. The medical mysteries they worked on together were very intriguing! The medical content was explained in an easy-to-understand way for younger and older readers unfamiliar with medical terms, while also being very engaging. I had a great time piecing together clues with Deepa and her uncle. I'm excited to continue the series and see what medical mysteries Deep and her uncle solve next!
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: cancer
I really enjoyed reading Deepa, M.D.! My favourite aspect was the strong character development we saw from Deepa. Seeing her confidence grow and learning that it was okay to rely on others for help was very heartwarming! The focus on relationships, both with family and friends, was interesting to read. I especially liked Deepa's dynamic with her uncle, seeing how they both used their strengths to help patients. The medical mysteries they worked on together were very intriguing! The medical content was explained in an easy-to-understand way for younger and older readers unfamiliar with medical terms, while also being very engaging. I had a great time piecing together clues with Deepa and her uncle. I'm excited to continue the series and see what medical mysteries Deep and her uncle solve next!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
DEEPA M.D. is about a smart, funny seventh grader who is known by everyone as the kid with cancer. She missed sixth grade while she was in treatment and feels behind on everything - volleyball, math class, and friendships. Your typical middle grade themes are all present - figuring out who you are and where you fit in the world while dealing with the complex social dynamics of friendships and family.
Deepa herself is relatable and big hearted. She is surrounded by a cast of believable and colorful characters, including brilliant but quirky uncle.
While she tries to navigate being in remission, exceptionally cautious parents, and the highs and lows of middle school she decides to become a medical detective alongside her uncle since helping him is one of the activities her parents deem acceptable. Their medical mysteries add another element of plot and interest to the story.
The undercurrent of being a kid with cancer flows throughout the story making Deepa’s life more complicated than that of a typical kid. All of it is well woven together in this fun, thoughtful and thoroughly heartwarming middle grade. I hope we’ll see more of Deepa in the future.
Deepa herself is relatable and big hearted. She is surrounded by a cast of believable and colorful characters, including brilliant but quirky uncle.
While she tries to navigate being in remission, exceptionally cautious parents, and the highs and lows of middle school she decides to become a medical detective alongside her uncle since helping him is one of the activities her parents deem acceptable. Their medical mysteries add another element of plot and interest to the story.
The undercurrent of being a kid with cancer flows throughout the story making Deepa’s life more complicated than that of a typical kid. All of it is well woven together in this fun, thoughtful and thoroughly heartwarming middle grade. I hope we’ll see more of Deepa in the future.
July 4, 2026
Deepa, MD is a modern, relevant, and truly wholesome story. The story feels meaningful without pushing any agenda, just thoughtful, loving storytelling that children and families can connect with.
Our 10-year old daughters says, "the book is about a girl who wants to be a medical detective and helps her uncle solve medical cases. I liked that Deepa was interested in helping others, and I thought it was fun that sometimes she was even better than her uncle. The book made me want to keep reading and find out what happened next.
My favorite part was when Deepa solved the case of her favorite singer and got to go to her concert. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes medical detective stories because it kept me interested the whole time."
Our 11-year old son says, Deepa, MD is about a girl who is struggling with cancer and becomes very interested in helping her uncle, who is a doctor, solve the medical mystery of a famous singer. I thought the book was good because it was interesting and had a mystery that made me want to keep reading."
We are excited to see where Deepa’s journey goes next.
Our 10-year old daughters says, "the book is about a girl who wants to be a medical detective and helps her uncle solve medical cases. I liked that Deepa was interested in helping others, and I thought it was fun that sometimes she was even better than her uncle. The book made me want to keep reading and find out what happened next.
My favorite part was when Deepa solved the case of her favorite singer and got to go to her concert. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes medical detective stories because it kept me interested the whole time."
Our 11-year old son says, Deepa, MD is about a girl who is struggling with cancer and becomes very interested in helping her uncle, who is a doctor, solve the medical mystery of a famous singer. I thought the book was good because it was interesting and had a mystery that made me want to keep reading."
We are excited to see where Deepa’s journey goes next.
July 2, 2026
We're huge fans of Deepa in our house!
My son's novel-length reading really took off earlier this year, and it's hard to find anything that can pull him away from his Harry Potter, Dragon Masters, and Phantom Tollbooth, but "Deepa M.D." definitely did. He plowed through it in a couple of days, then closed it up, opened it, and started reading it all over again!
I read the first couple of chapters at a family reading club event in Los Angeles, and I was struck by how crisp and smart and just FUN the writing is. The characters are rich and relatable, and the middle-school age pop culture references (the Exploding Kittens card game, K-Pop music acts, etc) are on point. Plus just the fact that the heroine here is an aspiring medical detective, solving real-life problems and being a positive role model, without sacrificing any of the humor, messiness and coolness that kids want to see in their fiction -- it's all so great!
Can't wait for the next one!
My son's novel-length reading really took off earlier this year, and it's hard to find anything that can pull him away from his Harry Potter, Dragon Masters, and Phantom Tollbooth, but "Deepa M.D." definitely did. He plowed through it in a couple of days, then closed it up, opened it, and started reading it all over again!
I read the first couple of chapters at a family reading club event in Los Angeles, and I was struck by how crisp and smart and just FUN the writing is. The characters are rich and relatable, and the middle-school age pop culture references (the Exploding Kittens card game, K-Pop music acts, etc) are on point. Plus just the fact that the heroine here is an aspiring medical detective, solving real-life problems and being a positive role model, without sacrificing any of the humor, messiness and coolness that kids want to see in their fiction -- it's all so great!
Can't wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced readers edition
I was intrigued by the premise of this book and fell in love with Deepa and her village instantly. As a 7th grader, Deepa's plate would already be full, but she has the added challenge of navigating a leukemia diagnosis.
This book explores medical issues in a way that is interesting and age appropriate, which makes the book stand out in my eyes. Even more interesting, this book is a genre meld of realistic fiction and mystery with the overlay of the medical industry, which I have never seen.
I was fascinated as Deepa and Uncle worked together to unravel medical mysteries for their clients while also helping each other "stay true to thyself."
I loved the themes of honesty and authenticity, I loved the genre meld, I loved the medical incorporation, and I loved the representation.
This book was a definite win!
I was intrigued by the premise of this book and fell in love with Deepa and her village instantly. As a 7th grader, Deepa's plate would already be full, but she has the added challenge of navigating a leukemia diagnosis.
This book explores medical issues in a way that is interesting and age appropriate, which makes the book stand out in my eyes. Even more interesting, this book is a genre meld of realistic fiction and mystery with the overlay of the medical industry, which I have never seen.
I was fascinated as Deepa and Uncle worked together to unravel medical mysteries for their clients while also helping each other "stay true to thyself."
I loved the themes of honesty and authenticity, I loved the genre meld, I loved the medical incorporation, and I loved the representation.
This book was a definite win!
September 17, 2026
Deepa missed her 6th grade year because of leukemia. However she is now in remission and has convinced her parents to let her go back to school. She is very smart and is really good at science, especially medicine - she did a lot of research due to her diagnosis plus her favorite Uncle Jai is a doctor. Deepa struggles socially at school as her best friend became popular while Deepa was absent and also made a new friend that Deepa is afraid will replace her. When Uncle Jai takes Deepa along on a house call to one of his patients, Deepa becomes deeply intrigued with the process of diagnosing illnesses, especially when Jai gets called to help a teen tennis star and can't seem to find the answer.
There is lots of mystery, humor, and medicine in this engaging debut novel. Friendship drama is authentic and characters are relatable.
There is lots of mystery, humor, and medicine in this engaging debut novel. Friendship drama is authentic and characters are relatable.
July 4, 2026
My daughter absolutely loved this book!
From the very first page, she was off and running and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The story was engaging, the characters were relatable, and the writing kept her entertained the whole time. Also, the jokes!
One of the best signs of how much she enjoyed it is that she has already read it more than once. She rarely rereads books, so that says a lot about how much this one meant to her.
I would highly recommend this book for middle school readers. It's easy to follow, and has meaningful themes that kids from 7-77 can relate to. Seeing my daughter enjoy it so much and choose to reread it makes it an easy 5-star recommendation.
From the very first page, she was off and running and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The story was engaging, the characters were relatable, and the writing kept her entertained the whole time. Also, the jokes!
One of the best signs of how much she enjoyed it is that she has already read it more than once. She rarely rereads books, so that says a lot about how much this one meant to her.
I would highly recommend this book for middle school readers. It's easy to follow, and has meaningful themes that kids from 7-77 can relate to. Seeing my daughter enjoy it so much and choose to reread it makes it an easy 5-star recommendation.
August 24, 2026
A medical mystery for middle school readers! I didn't know this was something I needed and I think readers will really enjoy it. Deepa is portrayed as a realistic middle grade student, with all that comes with it - friend drama, dealing with parents who want tight boundaries, family relationships, etc. Deepa's relationship with her Uncle Jia felt genuine. I will watch for future books from this debut author.
July 14, 2026
I love this book! I read it with my niece and she immediately was excited by the authentic voice and fun characters. Deepa made me remember my own childhood and I think the author has a really powerful way of engaging with young minds and making it a fun read for the adults in their lives. Excited to see what's next!
July 15, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed Deepa’s story. The cover illustration had led me to believe this was geared to younger readers, but it’s a good match for middle grade. The illustration also shows Deepa with short hair, although she repeatedly describes herself as not having any. Other than that disconnect, the story will be an easy booktalk to generate student interest.
October 27, 2026
A cute MG book about a girl who is trying to assist her uncle in his doctor work, trying to solve health issues like they are mysteries while also struggling with her identity as recovering from cancer while she is trying to hide some of the health issues. Friendship, layers, identity, family fights. Great read.
July 3, 2026
Delightful. Deepa -- and her uncle! -- are great characters, courageous and irreverent, and the book has a cast of compelling secondary characters as well. This is a cut above (several cuts above??) your typical chapter book about an ambitious young person, and I devoured it eagerly and happily!!
July 22, 2026
This book is a delight from beginning to end - packed with humor, empathy, mystery, and medical knowledge! Hard to know which one of us (Dad - 43, Daughter - 8) enjoyed it more. Can't wait for the sequel!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Deepa has been dealing with leukemia and missed all of sixth grade, but has recently gone into remission. She still isn't able to play on the volleyball team or go to sleepovers, so feels disconnected from her best friend, Renée, who has started to hang out with Lola, whom Deepa doesn't like. Deepa's Uncle Jai is a struggling doctor who makes house calls, and is an excellent diagnostician who unfortunately lacks a good bedside manner. When the famous singer, Willa, calls for him, Deepa is allowed to go along. She is a big fan, so manages to calm Willa's temper, and her uncle is able to diagnose POTS that was set off by a concussion. Back at school, Deepa often gets tired, and has to use some of the "perks" of her illness, which include being able to have her phone with her, a place to take naps, and untimed tests. While sitting out of gym class, Deepa meets Manu, who embraces a Goth look complete with eyeliner, and participates in the schools Progress club, an LGBTQIA+ organization. When Uncle Jai asks Deepa to come along on another house call, Deepa is surprised to find herself at Lola's house. Lola's brother, Tayo, is an up and coming tennis player who has been having attacks of stomach cramps and suffering from a rash after returning from a summer tennis camp. Deepa struggles with all of the strictures her mother puts on her activities, and stops taking her pills because they make her feel bad. Uncle Jai can't figure out what's up with Tayo, and even crashes a party to take Tayo's blood after his coach gives Jai the wrong information. Deepa is excited when Willa sends tickets to her concert, but is dealing with friend drama with Renée and Lola. Will she be able to help diagnose Tayo, stay healthy, and navigate relationships in seventh grade?
Strengths: If you look at the number of medical investigation books and television shows available to adults, it's surprising that there hasn't been a middle grade version of House or Qunicy, M.D. Deepa's uncle taking her a long while he is "babysitting" her makes sense, and she has a lot of background in dealing with medical professional thanks to her own illness. This helps her understand what the patients are going through, and what they aren't telling her uncle. It makes sense that her parents are over protective, and also that she has grown apart from Renée. While there are a lot of challenges in Deepa's life, and she doesn't always feel great, there are plenty of happier moments, like the concert and a family Diwali celebration.
Weaknesses: There was a lot of friend drama going on, and was woven into the book in a way that made the story a bit hard to follow. I would have liked to see more of the medical diagnosis or even Deepa's struggles with leukemia described instead.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who were interested in the medical and social implications of surviving middle school with cancer and found Dee's Halfway Normal, Gephart's Abby, Tried and True, Harrell's Wink compelling.
Deepa has been dealing with leukemia and missed all of sixth grade, but has recently gone into remission. She still isn't able to play on the volleyball team or go to sleepovers, so feels disconnected from her best friend, Renée, who has started to hang out with Lola, whom Deepa doesn't like. Deepa's Uncle Jai is a struggling doctor who makes house calls, and is an excellent diagnostician who unfortunately lacks a good bedside manner. When the famous singer, Willa, calls for him, Deepa is allowed to go along. She is a big fan, so manages to calm Willa's temper, and her uncle is able to diagnose POTS that was set off by a concussion. Back at school, Deepa often gets tired, and has to use some of the "perks" of her illness, which include being able to have her phone with her, a place to take naps, and untimed tests. While sitting out of gym class, Deepa meets Manu, who embraces a Goth look complete with eyeliner, and participates in the schools Progress club, an LGBTQIA+ organization. When Uncle Jai asks Deepa to come along on another house call, Deepa is surprised to find herself at Lola's house. Lola's brother, Tayo, is an up and coming tennis player who has been having attacks of stomach cramps and suffering from a rash after returning from a summer tennis camp. Deepa struggles with all of the strictures her mother puts on her activities, and stops taking her pills because they make her feel bad. Uncle Jai can't figure out what's up with Tayo, and even crashes a party to take Tayo's blood after his coach gives Jai the wrong information. Deepa is excited when Willa sends tickets to her concert, but is dealing with friend drama with Renée and Lola. Will she be able to help diagnose Tayo, stay healthy, and navigate relationships in seventh grade?
Strengths: If you look at the number of medical investigation books and television shows available to adults, it's surprising that there hasn't been a middle grade version of House or Qunicy, M.D. Deepa's uncle taking her a long while he is "babysitting" her makes sense, and she has a lot of background in dealing with medical professional thanks to her own illness. This helps her understand what the patients are going through, and what they aren't telling her uncle. It makes sense that her parents are over protective, and also that she has grown apart from Renée. While there are a lot of challenges in Deepa's life, and she doesn't always feel great, there are plenty of happier moments, like the concert and a family Diwali celebration.
Weaknesses: There was a lot of friend drama going on, and was woven into the book in a way that made the story a bit hard to follow. I would have liked to see more of the medical diagnosis or even Deepa's struggles with leukemia described instead.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who were interested in the medical and social implications of surviving middle school with cancer and found Dee's Halfway Normal, Gephart's Abby, Tried and True, Harrell's Wink compelling.
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