I'm From Here, Too

Sheth, Kashmira. I'm From Here, Too
July 2, 2024 by Peachtree

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Anoop and his family live in Wisconsin, where his father is a heart surgeon and his mother runs a clothing import business. Most of their family still lives in India, including the father's father, Baba. There is a lot of history in the family background; the grandfather was just 13 in 1947 when his family was killed during the Partition. He survived because he was in a tree house at the time. Because there are few people of color in their town, and because his family is Sikh, Anoop has to deal with his classmates not understanding the patka (head covering) he wears over his hair, which he has never cut. Two students in particular, Albert and Ned, are constantly saying things and even pushing Anoop and touching his head. Their teacher, the young Ms. Strickton, takes a dim view of this behavior and doesn't let them get away with bullying when they are in her class. Anoop best friend, Jacob, is supportive of Anoop and understands his family and religion, but he doesn't always stand up for his friend, adding to Anoop's stress. When Baba has pneumonia, Anoop and his father go to visit, and Anoop has a school project about his experience to turn in when he returns. Being in India is a good break from the racial discrimination in Wisconsin, but some members of his family tell Anoop that he is "too American". His cousin Jeet puts a stop to that, and shows Anoop the great things about the country that Anoop's family left. Upon his return, Albert and Ned physically assault him and threaten to cut his hair. He finally tells his parents about the bullying, but asks for a little time because the school is involved. He befriends a new boy, Chris Larson, whom Albert and Ned are not nice to, and after Baba passes away, changes his project to fully cover the history of his family. Ned, at least, gains a new understanding for Anoop, and things are slightly better. 

Strengths: This is a novel in verse, which is a good fit since Anoop likes to write poetry and has an introspective nature. I enjoyed the fact that Jacob was well versed in the food and traditions of his friend's culture. Indian writers are the absolute best when it comes to describing food, and Sheth does a particularly good job! 

Weaknesses: The novel in verse format always leaves me wanting more information about a lot of things. I loved Sheth's Blue Jasmine (2004) and Boys Without Names (2010), and know that she does an equally good prose novel. 
What I really think: Combining history with a family experience is always a winning combination. This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoyed Chen's With Twice the Love, Dessie Mae, Hudson's The Reckoning, Respicio's Any Day With You, and especially Bajaj's Count Me In, Faruqi, Saadia. The Partition Project, and Senzai, N.H. Ticket to India.