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Chloe in India
A poignant and delightful story involving class, race, social customs, and a unique friendship that questions them all.
Though they’re divided by class, language, appearance—you name it—Chloe and Lakshmi have a lot in common. Both girls are new to Class Five at Premium Academy in New Delhi, India, and neither seems to fit in. But they soon discover how extraordinary an ordinary friendship can be and how celebrating our individuality can change the world.
"Whether describing the heat of a Delhi summer or the emotions of a homesick preteen in a strange land, Darnton gets the details right, bringing characters and story to life and also educating readers about the economic discrepancies rampant in India. Blonde American Chloe's perspective gives Western readers a way into this tale of inequality in a foreign culture."-- Kirkus
"A solid multicultural offering for middle grade collections."-- SLJ
"The heart of the story—standing up for others, despite social or economic class—can offer a good discussion for readers and hopefully get them thinking about those around them."-- Booklist
"An informed and informative work of fiction that incorporates eye- opening facts about poverty and social systems outside of the United States while never losing the protagonist’s authentic and relatable voice. Evocative in setting, sympathetic in character, and noble in intent, this story is for armchair travelers and seekers of fairness and friendship."-- The Bulletin
Though they’re divided by class, language, appearance—you name it—Chloe and Lakshmi have a lot in common. Both girls are new to Class Five at Premium Academy in New Delhi, India, and neither seems to fit in. But they soon discover how extraordinary an ordinary friendship can be and how celebrating our individuality can change the world.
"Whether describing the heat of a Delhi summer or the emotions of a homesick preteen in a strange land, Darnton gets the details right, bringing characters and story to life and also educating readers about the economic discrepancies rampant in India. Blonde American Chloe's perspective gives Western readers a way into this tale of inequality in a foreign culture."-- Kirkus
"A solid multicultural offering for middle grade collections."-- SLJ
"The heart of the story—standing up for others, despite social or economic class—can offer a good discussion for readers and hopefully get them thinking about those around them."-- Booklist
"An informed and informative work of fiction that incorporates eye- opening facts about poverty and social systems outside of the United States while never losing the protagonist’s authentic and relatable voice. Evocative in setting, sympathetic in character, and noble in intent, this story is for armchair travelers and seekers of fairness and friendship."-- The Bulletin
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2016
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119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 13, 2015
Chloe in India is the story of a young American girl that is forced to move to India with her family. Once there, she struggles to fit in and eventually learns the importance of being yourself and treating people as equals.
I really enjoyed this story and can't remember the last time that I was so engrossed in a middle grade book. I liked how the book was an honest portrayal of not only how a young girl would feel trying to fit into a completely different culture, but that the book also showed a good representation of India. I liked how the author did not shy away from topics like poverty,inequality and discrimination.
The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the (brief) mention of prenatal sex selection and infanticide. However it doesn't go into detail and ultimately leaves the parent to explain these issues as they see fit.
Overall I found this to be a great middle grade book that teaches the importance of respecting people that are different than you.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2015
I requested this from Net Galley after reading the blurb and realising just how important this book could be for kids to read. Especially for kids who are like me, Third Culture Kids.
Chloe however, has only really lived in one place all her life, Boston. So she gets quite the culture shock when her parents relocate her older and baby sister to Delhi. Her mother is an investigative journalist, and along with her father they agree that while they will send their girls to a private school, that they will make sure they are aware of the privilege they experience living in India.
Unfortunately Chloe is only a kid and doesn't entirely understand it all as well as her teen sister does. Which is perfectly understandable. She understands that a lot of people are poor and don't live in 'proper' houses, but she can't seem to fully wrap her head around it until she meets Lakshmi.
As the new kid in the class, her goal was to befriend the pretty and popular, and rich, girl in the class. The downside is that she is also quite a horrible person. And although Chloe knows that, and at times even admits it, she still wants to be friends with her because she feels that is the kind of person she should be friends with. Like they are on the "same level" or something. Instead she ends up befriending Lakshmi, a witty and sweet girl who brings out the best in Chloe.
In my opinion, I think this book is great for kids to read who have both experienced what Chloe has and those who haven't. It's really important, I feel, that especially now that information is so readily available that kids read about the experiences and lives of kids on the other side of the world, whose lives are the complete polar opposite to theirs.
I also just love how Chloe is written!! She is so relatable and the dialogue is exactly the way I'd expect a kid to talk. Well I was 10/11 quite some time ago so I'm not entirely sure how kids are these days but I doubt it's very different from the way Chloe talks here.
I do wish I had read this book as a kid! I think I would have really enjoyed it and appreciated the perspective it could have given me at that time in my life. But I'm glad I was able to read it now.
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE: https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress....
Chloe however, has only really lived in one place all her life, Boston. So she gets quite the culture shock when her parents relocate her older and baby sister to Delhi. Her mother is an investigative journalist, and along with her father they agree that while they will send their girls to a private school, that they will make sure they are aware of the privilege they experience living in India.
Unfortunately Chloe is only a kid and doesn't entirely understand it all as well as her teen sister does. Which is perfectly understandable. She understands that a lot of people are poor and don't live in 'proper' houses, but she can't seem to fully wrap her head around it until she meets Lakshmi.
As the new kid in the class, her goal was to befriend the pretty and popular, and rich, girl in the class. The downside is that she is also quite a horrible person. And although Chloe knows that, and at times even admits it, she still wants to be friends with her because she feels that is the kind of person she should be friends with. Like they are on the "same level" or something. Instead she ends up befriending Lakshmi, a witty and sweet girl who brings out the best in Chloe.
In my opinion, I think this book is great for kids to read who have both experienced what Chloe has and those who haven't. It's really important, I feel, that especially now that information is so readily available that kids read about the experiences and lives of kids on the other side of the world, whose lives are the complete polar opposite to theirs.
I also just love how Chloe is written!! She is so relatable and the dialogue is exactly the way I'd expect a kid to talk. Well I was 10/11 quite some time ago so I'm not entirely sure how kids are these days but I doubt it's very different from the way Chloe talks here.
I do wish I had read this book as a kid! I think I would have really enjoyed it and appreciated the perspective it could have given me at that time in my life. But I'm glad I was able to read it now.
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE: https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress....
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May 26, 2023i read this when i was maybe 6-8 and it taught me the word shit and that kids could cuss. i don't remember much except her missing massachusetts and her friends and how in india she went to this place and climbed onto a tableau and talked to her dad. and she hung out with this one girl and i counted how many times a cuss word came onto the page😭😭 i counted like 26 or 27. 💀💀
January 8, 2016
Eleven-year old Chloe, and her family, have moved from America to Delhi in India because, as her journalist mother puts its, “that’s where the stories are”. With her blond hair and American ways, Chloe doesn’t exactly fit in with her mostly very rich, Indian peers. But when Lakshmi, who is very poor and treated as an outcast, joins Chloe’s class, the two form an unexpected friendship. The two young girls must navigate the world of mean girls, class separation, and their own preconceived ideas.
I can fully appreciate what author Kate Darnton has tried to do with Chloe in India, but overall, I found this to be a disappointing read. Darnton clearly sets out to shed light on the socioeconomic divide in India and how the poorer citizens are unfairly treated, which she does. However, the execution just does not work. The story unfolds through Chloe’s eyes and this perspective is really not effective. Chloe and her privileged, upper middle-class family, while sympathetic to the plight of India’s poor people, have no real first-hand experience with such injustices and hardships. And next to Lakshmi’s extreme hardships, Chloe’s troubles and complaints, seem quite trivial. Seeing and exploring all aspects of this new and exotic world would have been more interesting and effective if seen through a native’s eyes, like Lakshmi’s.
And while Darnton does explore those many aspects of Delhi and her people, she does so through Chloe and her family’s critical, often close-minded and judgmental, perspective. It just never feels like the India in the book is given a chance to shine or be celebrated. If I were a kid, this book would not make me excited to learn more about or want to visit India...which is just sad.
The friendship between Chloe and Lakshmi is definitely sweet and, while Chloe is likable enough, I did really enjoy Lakshmi’s endearing and enduring character. However, the rest of the characters were either too flat or too over the top for my liking. And I found Chloe’s mother to be quite unbearable.
my final thoughts: There’s so much Chloe in India could’ve done right, but just didn’t. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster, ineffective read.
I can fully appreciate what author Kate Darnton has tried to do with Chloe in India, but overall, I found this to be a disappointing read. Darnton clearly sets out to shed light on the socioeconomic divide in India and how the poorer citizens are unfairly treated, which she does. However, the execution just does not work. The story unfolds through Chloe’s eyes and this perspective is really not effective. Chloe and her privileged, upper middle-class family, while sympathetic to the plight of India’s poor people, have no real first-hand experience with such injustices and hardships. And next to Lakshmi’s extreme hardships, Chloe’s troubles and complaints, seem quite trivial. Seeing and exploring all aspects of this new and exotic world would have been more interesting and effective if seen through a native’s eyes, like Lakshmi’s.
And while Darnton does explore those many aspects of Delhi and her people, she does so through Chloe and her family’s critical, often close-minded and judgmental, perspective. It just never feels like the India in the book is given a chance to shine or be celebrated. If I were a kid, this book would not make me excited to learn more about or want to visit India...which is just sad.
The friendship between Chloe and Lakshmi is definitely sweet and, while Chloe is likable enough, I did really enjoy Lakshmi’s endearing and enduring character. However, the rest of the characters were either too flat or too over the top for my liking. And I found Chloe’s mother to be quite unbearable.
my final thoughts: There’s so much Chloe in India could’ve done right, but just didn’t. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster, ineffective read.
March 13, 2017
I enjoyed Chloe's authentic voice as well as the glimpses I got into life in India. The stereotyping and predictability of the story, especially in the second half, with the main problem being resolved too conveniently, took away some of the reading pleasure. I am curious to hear what my students - especially those of Indian origins - have to say about the book.
December 3, 2022
Chloe in India by Kate Darnton is about an American preteen trying to find her place while living in a foreign country. Chloe is a preteen American girl who has moved to India, but she dislikes living there because she is the outsider. She has blonde hair, she doesn’t know Hindi, and she doesn’t quite understand the social circles in her small private school. As most fifth graders may feel, she wants to be popular.
Chloe’s story is one of growing into yourself and being okay with who you are. Although she really wants to fit in with the most popular girl in school, she recognizes that this girl is not nice and is actually not really any fun. The school system in India is such that the private schools are required to provide spaces for children who are unable to afford it. This is to give everybody the opportunity of a good education. One such poor girl, Lakshmi, joins Chloe’s class, and the two girls finds they have a special bond with each other. They enjoy playing after school hours at the playground together, and they both feel out of place in their new school.
When the school has a dance contest Chloe and Lakshmi decide to practice a winning dance together. They are determined to win! However, when it comes down to it, at school, Chloe is still torn because she wants to be a part of the popular girl’s circle well.
Chloe in India is a nice look at a culture that I was not familiar with. I like that we can see this glimpse into Delhi and that in the end, Chloe became comfortable with who she is. It was predictable, but I am glad she found the ability to stand up for her new friend.
I think it’s important to note that Chloe in India is full of subtle cultural and social commentary (Chloe’s mother was a sensational journalist) so obviously this book also became that. That’s not a bad thing: I think it is important for children to understand different cultures and the commentary gave such a glimpse. The book was not only commentary: it certainly was a fun story as well.
Note: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration.
Chloe’s story is one of growing into yourself and being okay with who you are. Although she really wants to fit in with the most popular girl in school, she recognizes that this girl is not nice and is actually not really any fun. The school system in India is such that the private schools are required to provide spaces for children who are unable to afford it. This is to give everybody the opportunity of a good education. One such poor girl, Lakshmi, joins Chloe’s class, and the two girls finds they have a special bond with each other. They enjoy playing after school hours at the playground together, and they both feel out of place in their new school.
When the school has a dance contest Chloe and Lakshmi decide to practice a winning dance together. They are determined to win! However, when it comes down to it, at school, Chloe is still torn because she wants to be a part of the popular girl’s circle well.
Chloe in India is a nice look at a culture that I was not familiar with. I like that we can see this glimpse into Delhi and that in the end, Chloe became comfortable with who she is. It was predictable, but I am glad she found the ability to stand up for her new friend.
I think it’s important to note that Chloe in India is full of subtle cultural and social commentary (Chloe’s mother was a sensational journalist) so obviously this book also became that. That’s not a bad thing: I think it is important for children to understand different cultures and the commentary gave such a glimpse. The book was not only commentary: it certainly was a fun story as well.
Note: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration.
November 4, 2016
Chloe in India is a book about an 11 year old girl who moved to India from Boston with her family. She has two sisters one younger, and one older. Chloe started going to an Academy where she met a new girl who was really rich . Chloe thought she could fit in with her since both of them have been to America. Chloe was homesick all the time, because no matter how hard she tried to fit in with the popular girls, it never worked, because one day they are nice to her, the other day they hate her. One day Chloe saw a new girl who had really long black hair and a ripped uniform. Chloe started talking to her and found out she is a great person, her name was Lakshmi. Chloe and Lakshmi would hangout every day after school, but never in school, because Chloe is embarrassed of Lakshmi. Lakshmi was really poor and lived in a little cabin, and drank water out of a bucket. Until the Annual-day ceremony came up, Lakshmi and Chloe were gonna be the star dancers, and they stole the show. The popular girls didn't talk to Chloe because they were really jealous. At the end everyone was happy, Chloe had a best friend , her parents had new jobs, and her sister started being nice to her.
March 17, 2022
The decision to write a book about class inequalities in India and write it entirely from the viewpoint of a white American girl certainly was a choice all right, as was the decision to neatly excise all discussion of any *other* intersectionalities such as caste or religion that might make it harder for certain people to leave poverty than others.
I'm not entirely sure that the author consciously thought about the fact that her protagonist blithely states that nothing like these bad things happens in America and nobody ever pushes back on that assumption, but I'd like to hand little Chloe a copy of New Kid.
There are better books about India, ones with Indian authors, Indian protagonists, or both.
I'm giving this one two stars because at least it wasn't a slog to read, but I can't honestly recommend it to any actual child.
I'm not entirely sure that the author consciously thought about the fact that her protagonist blithely states that nothing like these bad things happens in America and nobody ever pushes back on that assumption, but I'd like to hand little Chloe a copy of New Kid.
There are better books about India, ones with Indian authors, Indian protagonists, or both.
I'm giving this one two stars because at least it wasn't a slog to read, but I can't honestly recommend it to any actual child.
October 13, 2021
Out of the blue, I just grabbed this from the library. So so worth it. It's a story of an American girl, a lower caste Indian girl, privilege and being yourself and the 2009 The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.
February 13, 2019
A wonderful tale of cross-cultural friendship with plenty of insights about living in India from an outsider's perspective.
Want to read
April 17, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
May 3, 2022
Really liked this one. It's a young adult/middle grade book so it was a really easy read but it was cute and had a really good moral of the story on not judging people by the way they look or seem. Finished it in a day
January 16, 2016
After her family moves from Boston to India so that her mother can pursue her journalism career, eleven-year-old Chloe Jones struggles to adjust to new new school in New Delhi and the unfamiliar culture. Not only does her blonde hair make her stand out from among all the other students with dark tresses, but she isn't sure of herself for many reasons, including the language, the intense heat, and the values of some of her classmates and their families. Not having friends is something new for Chloe, and when Anvi, the most popular girl in class, seems to befriend her, she is thrilled but also a bit unsettled since Anvi's family is extremely wealthy and extravagant with their money. But when another new girl, Lakshmi, begins school late, Chloe realizes that they share several commonalities despite the fact that Lakshmi is extremely poor. But Chloe keeps her friendship with Lakshmi a secret, hanging out with her after school and never during school hours. When the two girls are chosen to take the spotlight position during a dance celebrating the end of school, the length to which some parents will go to make sure their offspring have everything they want is made very clear. This is a great book for intermediate or early middle graders to read since Chloe is not perfect and her struggle to fit in while also doing the right thing is made quite clear in an honest way. I enjoyed her mother and her older sister Anna who shows Chloe that there are many different ways to react to change. Young readers will appreciate the pride and fear that make Chloe behave as she does while also acknowledging that both girls can learn quite a lot from one another. The scenes of largess on the part of Anvi's family and the desperate straits of those poor families whose living areas could disappear with only a moment's notice due to the corruption of the political system are particularly memorable. I had never heard of the phrase EWS (economically weaker section) or thought of its implications for someone such as Lakshmi. Published originally in India, the book offers much food for thought and much to explore regarding how we treat others who have a different economic or social status from ourselves.
January 11, 2016
My first impression as I began the advance reading copy of Chloe in India by Kate Darnton, provided by Net Galley, could best be described as irony. Chloe, a middle class American girl finds herself a minority in Class Five at the Premium Academy in New Delhi, India. Blonde American girls aren’t usually on the fringe. Homesickness for her best friend and the life she knew in Boston intensifies her struggle to fit into this world so different from the one she knows.
Her first attempt to adapt as the book opens has her coloring her blond hair with a black magic marker. After all, every single one of the ninety-eight other kids in Class Five has black hair. Only one other student in the entire school is blonde. Her journalist mother, with her father’s concurrence, has brought their family that includes an older sister to India because that is where the stories are.
Chloe will soon see that worse things than blond hair can keep one out of the “in” crowd. Two of the girls in her class, Lakshmi and Meher, are ignored as if they were not there. These girls are tokens from the lower social stratus admitted to the school in a patronizing fashion. Away from school, she becomes friends with Lakshmi which leads to the another inevitable attempt to fit in when Chloe will have to make a decision between an invitation that will include her in the group but test her loyalty to Lakshmi.
The plot line of girls setting themselves up in status groups with an added layer of the adult social classes with its setting in India rings true. This authenticity comes because the author and her family lived in New Delhi for five years and is real enough to make the reader wonder how much is personal experience.
My last impression as I finished was of an engaging authentic novel for middle grade girls that would be an excellent book for an adult to read alongside or for a class to read aloud. Good discussion should follow.
Her first attempt to adapt as the book opens has her coloring her blond hair with a black magic marker. After all, every single one of the ninety-eight other kids in Class Five has black hair. Only one other student in the entire school is blonde. Her journalist mother, with her father’s concurrence, has brought their family that includes an older sister to India because that is where the stories are.
Chloe will soon see that worse things than blond hair can keep one out of the “in” crowd. Two of the girls in her class, Lakshmi and Meher, are ignored as if they were not there. These girls are tokens from the lower social stratus admitted to the school in a patronizing fashion. Away from school, she becomes friends with Lakshmi which leads to the another inevitable attempt to fit in when Chloe will have to make a decision between an invitation that will include her in the group but test her loyalty to Lakshmi.
The plot line of girls setting themselves up in status groups with an added layer of the adult social classes with its setting in India rings true. This authenticity comes because the author and her family lived in New Delhi for five years and is real enough to make the reader wonder how much is personal experience.
My last impression as I finished was of an engaging authentic novel for middle grade girls that would be an excellent book for an adult to read alongside or for a class to read aloud. Good discussion should follow.
September 8, 2015
This book appealed to me because the setting takes place in New Delhi, India. Chloe’s family has relocated from Boston and she has been enrolled in a private school called Premium Academy. She feels out of sorts, and is reluctant to make friends. She’s a bit of a rebel or “firecracker” and often finds herself in uncomfortable situations.
The author lived in New Delhi for five years so her descriptions of of the city were delightful. This is how she describes the time before the monsoon rains come:
"Delhi heat is heavy and wet and there is no escaping it. It’s all around you, every day, pushing against your skin, into your lungs. It’s like living in a greenhouse with no walls."
Having experienced this myself I could really relate to what Chloe was feeling at the time. She’s morose, lonely and envious of the pretty Indian girls with their long, black, silky hair. Learning Hindi isn’t easy for her, not like her sister Anna, her complete opposite in character. Chloe tries to fit in with the most popular girl in school (whose father is extremely wealthy) and with time succeeds.
Then along comes Lakshmi, a new girl in school who doesn’t seem to have any friends. Lakshmi is different from the other girls and as their friendship grows, Chloe discovers in Lakshmi a resilience of character and loyalty that she doesn’t find with the other girls in school.
Although this story revolves around the two girls, the plot twists and turns and evolves into other issues that affect the daily life of people in the city. This was such a good book, I couldn’t put it down. It should be placed in all middle grade school libraries. I would love to see a sequel to this story!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
The author lived in New Delhi for five years so her descriptions of of the city were delightful. This is how she describes the time before the monsoon rains come:
"Delhi heat is heavy and wet and there is no escaping it. It’s all around you, every day, pushing against your skin, into your lungs. It’s like living in a greenhouse with no walls."
Having experienced this myself I could really relate to what Chloe was feeling at the time. She’s morose, lonely and envious of the pretty Indian girls with their long, black, silky hair. Learning Hindi isn’t easy for her, not like her sister Anna, her complete opposite in character. Chloe tries to fit in with the most popular girl in school (whose father is extremely wealthy) and with time succeeds.
Then along comes Lakshmi, a new girl in school who doesn’t seem to have any friends. Lakshmi is different from the other girls and as their friendship grows, Chloe discovers in Lakshmi a resilience of character and loyalty that she doesn’t find with the other girls in school.
Although this story revolves around the two girls, the plot twists and turns and evolves into other issues that affect the daily life of people in the city. This was such a good book, I couldn’t put it down. It should be placed in all middle grade school libraries. I would love to see a sequel to this story!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
January 31, 2016
What did you like about the book? Recently a Bostonian but now living with her parents and sisters in India, 11 year old Chloe is not happy to be the only blond (and American) girl in her class at Premium Academy in New Delhi. She is alone and lonely and desperately wants to fit in (especially to get the attention of Uber Popular rich girl Anvi) That is, she is lonely until even newer girl Lakshmi shows up. Despite their differences in economic class, language and appearance, the two become friends. Chloe has to navigate being an American in India in a local school when she can barely make sense of Hindi (though luckily most classes are in English), attempt to make friends when she knows no one and can't seem to catch the eye of the popular Anvi, and figure out for herself what is more important: the appearance of things or true friendship. This is a really heart-warming story and rather well written. Kids will take to Chloe's direct narration and realistic portrayals of her world and life in India and the difficulties in moving so far from everything you've ever known. While the story is predictable by the end and very After School Special (or, Americans with Power and Money Save the Day) it was a very enjoyable read and would be a great discussion jump-off point for topics of economic disparity and the meaning of friendship.
To whom would you recommend this book? Kids interested in India, who have just moved and might feel friendless, or who enjoy reading about quirky wonderful friendships
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
To whom would you recommend this book? Kids interested in India, who have just moved and might feel friendless, or who enjoy reading about quirky wonderful friendships
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
September 1, 2015
...This review and more was orginially posted @ https://whimsywriter3.wordpress.com/...
I decided to read this book for a couple of reasons. The cover interested me first, the colors are bright and I loved it immediately. Second it’s set in India! How cool is that? And the last reason was because I’ve been reading a lot of YA books and I wanted to move out of that age group and read something a little different.
Chloe in India was a fun read. It only took me a couple of hours to read it start to finish, and I throughly enjoyed myself. I loved how the writer made the world of India come alive. I think she did a really great job with the descriptions. Having lived in countries overseas I was able to imagine myself in India with Chloe really well, it was like I could hear and see everything so vividly.
The characters were also really great. Chloe, at times seemed a lot older than she was said to be in the book, but it didn’t really bother me too much as it explained in the book that Chloe is a big reader. Chloe was fun, I loved that she did origami, it was a neat skill that helped create her unique character. Her friend Lakshmi was my favorite character, probably because of her family circumstance, no spoilers but she tugged at my heart with her ability to be happy and grateful. Chloe’s mom was funny, and I actually enjoyed both of the parents in this book. It wasn’t one of those stories were the adults are all morons and the children smarter.
This is a great story if you have some younger siblings, or children who devour books, it’s fun and has good pacing.
I decided to read this book for a couple of reasons. The cover interested me first, the colors are bright and I loved it immediately. Second it’s set in India! How cool is that? And the last reason was because I’ve been reading a lot of YA books and I wanted to move out of that age group and read something a little different.
Chloe in India was a fun read. It only took me a couple of hours to read it start to finish, and I throughly enjoyed myself. I loved how the writer made the world of India come alive. I think she did a really great job with the descriptions. Having lived in countries overseas I was able to imagine myself in India with Chloe really well, it was like I could hear and see everything so vividly.
The characters were also really great. Chloe, at times seemed a lot older than she was said to be in the book, but it didn’t really bother me too much as it explained in the book that Chloe is a big reader. Chloe was fun, I loved that she did origami, it was a neat skill that helped create her unique character. Her friend Lakshmi was my favorite character, probably because of her family circumstance, no spoilers but she tugged at my heart with her ability to be happy and grateful. Chloe’s mom was funny, and I actually enjoyed both of the parents in this book. It wasn’t one of those stories were the adults are all morons and the children smarter.
This is a great story if you have some younger siblings, or children who devour books, it’s fun and has good pacing.
May 23, 2016
An enjoyable book about a young girl from Boston whose family moves to New Delhi. Some of Chloe's experiences with mean girls and popularity prove to be universal. What is interesting is that, in feeling like a misfit herself, Chloe slowly befriends Lakshmi, a girl who is outcast because of her low socioeconomic status. Darnton portrays their friendship realistically. Chloe is slow to admit their friendship to others at school, which I think would be true of many lonely children who want to be accepted by their peers. I would recommend this to kids nine and up who are dealing with peer pressure, and who are interested in other cultures.
I think the only plot point that bothers me a bit is related to a plan to destroy Lakshmi's slum. Chloe and her sister report this to their mom, an American journalist who contacts the housing authority and foils the plan. While this shows the power that white Westerners have in poorer countries, it would have been nice to show some Indian allies working to save the slum. Overall, the book is clearly told through the eyes of a white Westerner, and I am glad the author was honest about this perspective when choosing her narrator. An Indian narrator would not have rung true, based on the author's experience and position as a white American journalist who lived in New Delhi for several years.
I read a galley, but the finished copy should have a glossary that defines all the Hindi terms. There's also back matter that explains Indian laws about educating poor children in a way that young American readers will understand.
I think the only plot point that bothers me a bit is related to a plan to destroy Lakshmi's slum. Chloe and her sister report this to their mom, an American journalist who contacts the housing authority and foils the plan. While this shows the power that white Westerners have in poorer countries, it would have been nice to show some Indian allies working to save the slum. Overall, the book is clearly told through the eyes of a white Westerner, and I am glad the author was honest about this perspective when choosing her narrator. An Indian narrator would not have rung true, based on the author's experience and position as a white American journalist who lived in New Delhi for several years.
I read a galley, but the finished copy should have a glossary that defines all the Hindi terms. There's also back matter that explains Indian laws about educating poor children in a way that young American readers will understand.
October 12, 2016
I liked a lot about this book. The voice of the main character was pretty realistic, and her complaints rang true, but I had concerns about how realistic the placement of a very poor girl in an elite school might be. However, evidently this is current practice in India now, as part of an integration effort.
Okay, so then we have an American girl rescuing the poor native girl. This is made more palatable by the fierce and independent nature of Lakshmi--she has other friends, she breaks off with Chloe when she finds out that Chloe has dissed her. After they patch things up, they both stand up to the rich bully by dancing their routine so well, but I wonder if the resolution would really work--the rich dad wouldn't find SOME way to get even? Or the girl, in school? And the American mom/reporter steps in to save the day (with her local assistant/fixer). Sigh.
However, the insight into another culture is mostly respectful and appreciative. Chloe has a Tibetan nanny (who does NOT like to be called "Indian") and loves her cooking.
I just wish we had better to offer.
cf Listen , Slowly.
Okay, so then we have an American girl rescuing the poor native girl. This is made more palatable by the fierce and independent nature of Lakshmi--she has other friends, she breaks off with Chloe when she finds out that Chloe has dissed her. After they patch things up, they both stand up to the rich bully by dancing their routine so well, but I wonder if the resolution would really work--the rich dad wouldn't find SOME way to get even? Or the girl, in school? And the American mom/reporter steps in to save the day (with her local assistant/fixer). Sigh.
However, the insight into another culture is mostly respectful and appreciative. Chloe has a Tibetan nanny (who does NOT like to be called "Indian") and loves her cooking.
I just wish we had better to offer.
cf Listen , Slowly.
November 30, 2015
This book was given to me as an advanced reader copy in Ohio at aasl's national conference. This book spent quite a bit of time on the extremes of the economic spectrum in India. It did not seem to describe much of the average person's life which the class was made up of in majority. I would have liked to see more of the interactions of all of the students within the class. I really liked the descriptiveness of the settings of India. It gave me a very bright mental picture. The most disappointing thing of all was the parents use of swear words to their children or in front of their children. It seemed a bit crude when it happened as the parents weren't constantly doing it just at random bits of time.
November 3, 2016
The book Chloe in India is about an 11 year old girl who moved with her family, 2 sisters and parents from Boston to Delhi. Chloe had to attend an academy where there are many different types of people. She met the richest girl at the school, whose dad is in charge of mostly everything, and she met another girl who lives in a little cabin with her dad, that drinks water from a bucket. Chloe was really confused about this place, and felt homesick all the time. One side of Delhi is all rich with three story buildings, while the other side is just little cabins with dirt everywhere. It was hard for Chloe to adapt in India, because everything was really different.
January 6, 2017
My then 8-year-old and were excited to pick this up as we are Indians living in the US. We thought it might be exciting to see India from a westerner's point of view.
The book lived up to the expectations in certain ways and not so much in others. The setting was written well, mostly naturalistic and not as much exaggerated as it is with most other similar types of books. The descriptions of disparity living side by side with opulence resonated with me. But what let me down was the story. The story is simply, mean girls, set up in Delhi. That's it. That's all. It never pretends to be anything else, but it was disappointing in certain ways.
The book lived up to the expectations in certain ways and not so much in others. The setting was written well, mostly naturalistic and not as much exaggerated as it is with most other similar types of books. The descriptions of disparity living side by side with opulence resonated with me. But what let me down was the story. The story is simply, mean girls, set up in Delhi. That's it. That's all. It never pretends to be anything else, but it was disappointing in certain ways.
November 17, 2015
Darnton has written an engaging story of an American girl adjusting to life in India. This typical "new school" novel takes on an added dimension as Chloe also has to adjust to the nuances of a new culture. The author has lived in India and describes the culture well from a foreigner's viewpoint (a good thing as many western authors try to take on the viewpoint of a different culture but don't come across as authentic.) Issues such as caste differences are not glossed over, but are part of the story without overwhelming it. Highly recommended for middle grade readers.
December 29, 2015
I loved this book. It is so important for children to be exposed to different cultures and this book does that. Now that I homeschool, I find myself reading differently. There are so many lessons in this book. India, family, culture, adversity, etc, are all touched upon to the appropriate degree for a middle grade reader. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing the eBook in exchange for honest review.
December 28, 2015
This is a new-kid-in-class story with more than a couple of twists. The main character, one of the new kids, is an American girl in a Delhi, India school. Trying to fit into class five as only one of two blondes in the entire school, Chloe is confused by the somewhat subtle caste system still present in India.
Kids will get a chance to learn an awful lot about living in India and will learn a few words of Hindi along the way. I highly recommend it.
Kids will get a chance to learn an awful lot about living in India and will learn a few words of Hindi along the way. I highly recommend it.
July 6, 2016
Chloe's family embarks on a family move to India from Boston. She encounters New Delhi as a challenging and exciting place to live. She has to make friends where she stands out with her blond hair and blue eyes. She is faced with the reality of poverty and how to help others. I really enjoyed this sweet little novel.
July 23, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book because it gave me a glimpse of a part of the world that I didn't know much about. Seeing India through the eyes of an American child gave the story a unique perspective. I think it would be a great addition to a cultural studies curriculum and I also think it might be a good book to read aloud to a class.
September 21, 2016
A great story about adjusting to a home in a new land. Chloe has moved from Boston to India and her story is moving and enlightening. In some ways, school is school and kids are kids, but cultural adjustments can be eye-opening as she finds out when finding her place on the social ladder and deciding what kind of person she wants to be.
January 29, 2017
This book uses themes based on friendship, popularity, and family as a tool so that ideas about bigger, more pressing, and more realistic issues like abuse of power and class divisions can be presented. However, despite the troubling issues that are discussed, this book gives a strange sense of calm, perhaps because of the authors' use of weather to convey a certain mood.
February 19, 2016
4.5 stars.
"Chloe in India is a poignant story about the beauty of individuality and the extraordinary strength that even the most unusual friendship can possess." indeed.
AND i knew a lot of the Hindi words so that felt pretty rad.
"Chloe in India is a poignant story about the beauty of individuality and the extraordinary strength that even the most unusual friendship can possess." indeed.
AND i knew a lot of the Hindi words so that felt pretty rad.
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