October 1, 2024
Cousins Tanvi and Mimi, born just one year apart, were as close as sisters, but recently everything has changed. Ever since her mother killed her father, Tanvi has gotten used to being bullied. But now, Tanvi's had enough. She's already lost Mimi to the pull of the popular crowd and their leader, Beth. When Tanvi spies on the annual end-of-summer party Beth hosts at her mansion, she's shocked to see Mimi and Beth doing drugs together. She takes a photo but is torn about what to do. The next day, Tanvi wakes up with bruises she can't explain, a bump on the back of her head--and no idea where Mimi is. The photo she took somehow ends up being posted on her social media account, causing a stir at school. Without Mimi there to explain herself, Beth is widely seen as Mimi's victim. The police suspect Mimi's run away, but her mother and Tanvi are sure she wouldn't do that. Tanvi begins looking for answers--and worries about where the search will lead. Unfortunately, the timeline of events is muddy and not helped by Tanvi's first-person narration, which jumps around and includes confusing, repetitive thoughts. The shallow character development leaves readers with unanswered questions about their motivations. Beth, who's white, reads like a blond, mean girl stereotype. Mimi and Tanvi are Indian American; Mimi's dad is white. A quick read that fails to coalesce into a coherent whole. (content warning)(Mystery. 14-18)
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October 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 After a tragedy results in her parents' deaths, Tanvi believes that her life cannot get any worse. Except, it does--Mimi, her close cousin and protector, betrays her by teaming up with queen mean girl Beth, capturing an embarrassing viral video of Tanvi. Out of desperation, Tanvi follows Mimi to a party at Beth's lavish home, hoping to record something equally embarrassing to hold over Beth's head. What starts out as simply a bad idea becomes deadly serious when Tanvi wakes up the next morning with gaps in her memory. Even more concerning is Mimi's sudden disappearance, with all the evidence pointing to Tanvi's involvement. Can Tanvi discover what caused Mimi to go missing and clear her own name? Sukumar's debut gives readers a glimpse into the harrowing world of social ostracism and the manipulation teenage girls often contend with. While the book is a well-executed thriller, its power is in the deep character exploration of Tanvi as a young woman finding her inner strength. Readers will be inspired by this story of resilience in the face of multiple traumas.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
November 1, 2024
Gr 8 Up-Indian American high school junior Tanvi now lives with her auntie and cousin after losing her parents to murder-suicide. Tanvi's cousin Mimi is like a sister to her, until perfect and popular Beth takes notice. Mimi is lured to betray Tanvi and their friends for their school's popular crowd-a crowd that appears golden from the outside but is hiding a dangerous underbelly. On the night Tanvi plans to ruin Beth by photographing her not-so-perfect side for social media, Mimi goes missing and Tanvi wakes up in the morning with a head injury and only fragments of questionable memories. Can she piece together what really happened and find Mimi? This gripping psychological thriller will have readers suspecting everyone until the very last chapter. Tanvi, Mimi, and Auntie are Indian American with characterizations prominently featuring cultural, culinary, and religious traditions (Hindu). Mimi's dad is white. VERDICT A quick and riveting mystery with fantastic representation.-Kayla Chamberlain
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