Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood

Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Total Pages: 221
Release: 2015-03-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0807563641

Finalist 2014 Cybils Award: Middle Grade Fiction 2015 Crystal Kite Winter (Texas/Oklahoma Chapter) Thirteen-year-old Abby discovers that her long-lost father is Bollywood's biggest movie star. She travels to Mumbai to reconnect with the family she never knew. What thirteen-year-old Abby wants most is to meet her father. She just never imagined he would be a huge film star—in Bollywood! Now she's traveling to Mumbai to get to know her famous father. Abby is overwhelmed by the culture clash, the pressures of being the daughter of India's most famous celebrity, and the burden of keeping her identity a secret. But as she learns to navigate her new surroundings, she just might discover where she really belongs.

Count Me In

Count Me In
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2020-08-25
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 052551726X

An uplifting story, told through the alternating voices of two middle-schoolers, in which a community rallies to reject racism. Karina Chopra would have never imagined becoming friends with the boy next door--after all, they've avoided each other for years and she assumes Chris is just like the boys he hangs out with, who she labels a pack of hyenas. Then Karina's grandfather starts tutoring Chris, and she discovers he's actually a nice, funny kid. But one afternoon something unimaginable happens--the three of them are assaulted by a stranger who targets Indian-American Karina and her grandfather because of how they look. Her grandfather is gravely injured and Karina and Chris vow not to let hate win. When Karina posts a few photos related to the attack on social media, they quickly attract attention, and before long her #CountMeIn post--"What does an American look like? #immigrants #WeBelong #IamAmerican #HateHasNoHomeHere"--goes viral and a diverse population begin to add their own photos. Then, when Papa is finally on the road to recovery, Karina uses her newfound social media reach to help celebrate both his homecoming and a community coming together.

This Is Our Baby, Born Today

This Is Our Baby, Born Today
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 30
Release: 2019-09-10
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1984814133

A baby is born and the world rejoices! With a loving mama, a trumpeting herd, curious cousins, and even some dancing peacocks heralding this little one’s arrival, it is apparent that the joy and wonder a new baby brings is shared by all! Varsha Bajaj’s lilting prose and Eliza Wheeler’s enchanting scenes of a wide-eyed baby elephant and its smitten family celebrate the importance of family and community in every child’s life. Set in the lush wilds of India, this is an endearing, beautifully illustrated tribute to little ones getting their first warm welcome to the world.

The Home Builders

The Home Builders
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2019-02-12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0399166858

This vibrantly illustrated picture book celebrates a variety of woodland creatures as they make their homes and prepare for their young. Welcome to a serene woodland where lots of expectant animal parents are in their "nesting" phase--that is, busy preparing safe, cozy homes for their growing families. As they dig, tunnel, gnaw, and gather, they create dens, burrows, lodges, and, of course, nests. Soon the woods are full of new little ones peeping, crawling, romping, and snuggling--and with artwork so gorgeous that it feels like an invitation into the scenery it's depicting, readers will be eager to join them in their beautiful home.

T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet

T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Publisher: Weigl Publishers
Total Pages: 56
Release: 2016-08-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1489652299

AV2 Fiction Readalong by Weigl brings you timeless tales of mystery, suspense, adventure, and the lessons learned while growing up. These celebrated children’s stories are sure to entertain and educate while captivating even the most reluctant readers. Log on to www.av2books.com, and enter the unique book code found on page 2 of this book to unlock an extra dimension to these beloved tales. Hear the story come to life as you read along in your own book.

Thirst

Thirst
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2022-07-19
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0593354400

A New York Times Bestseller The riveting story of a heroic girl who fights for her belief that water should be for everyone. Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited to a few hours a day and the communal taps have long lines. Lately, though, even that access is threatened by severe water shortages and thieves who are stealing this precious commodity—an act that Minni accidentally witnesses one night. Meanwhile, in the high-rise building where she just started to work, she discovers that water streams out of every faucet and there’s even a rooftop swimming pool. What Minni also discovers there is one of the water mafia bosses. Now she must decide whether to expose him and risk her job and maybe her life. How did something as simple as access to water get so complicated?

Still Star-Crossed

Still Star-Crossed
Author: Melinda Taub
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2013-07-09
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 0449816656

Now an ABC TV show from producer Shonda Rhimes! Discover what happened after the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet, as mysterious figures in Verona are determined to reignite the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. In fair Verona, enemies still walk the streets. Two news hearts. Same two families. The fight to the altar is about to happen. All. Over. Again. This homage to the classic Shakespearean tale of Romeo and Juliet will have readers pining for a star-crossed love of their very own. “A recipe for escapist television that Shondaland has perfected.” —The Hollywood Reporter on the TV adaptation

Rooting for Rafael Rosales

Rooting for Rafael Rosales
Author: Kurtis Scaletta
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Total Pages: 215
Release: 2017-04-17
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0807567434

STARRED REVIEW! "Scaletta deftly weaves worry, optimism, and determination together...The tight focus on the emotional lives of his protagonists in these connecting narratives inspires genuine feeling for each. Full of heart and hope."—Kirkus Reviews starred review Maya is worried about the fate of the world—especially the bee population—but she finds new hope when she starts to follow the career of a baseball player from the Dominican Republic named Rafael Rosales, who years before struggled to pursue his own dreams. Rafael has dreams to someday play Major League Baseball. Maya has worries, especially about the bees that are dying all over the world. Follow Rafael and Maya in a story that shifts back and forth in time and place, from Minnesota to the Dominican Republic. In their own ways, Maya and Rafael search for hope, face difficult choices, and learn a secret—the same secret—that forever changes how they see the world.

How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?

How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Publisher: LB Kids
Total Pages: 20
Release: 2021-12-14
Genre:
ISBN: 9780316459921

With modern packaging, this board book refresh edition of the classic goodnight story with a love theme and a counting game, is perfect for bedtime and Valentine's Day "How many kisses do you want tonight?" Daddy Bear growls, cuddling Little Bear tight. "I want ONE," laughs Little Bear, "A big, loud kiss on my soft, brown hair." How many kisses do you want, young fellow?" Mommy Duck asks, fluffing Little Duck yellow. With simple, rhyming text, this adorable counting bedtime book celebrates the special ritual of goodnight kisses for animals and humans alike. Cozy up with your little one for a goodnight kiss -- or two, or three, or four... Varsha Bajaj's warm story and Ivan Bates's charming illustrations creates a sweet board book perfect for sharing with babies and toddlers.

Dust of Eden

Dust of Eden
Author: Mariko Nagai
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Total Pages: 145
Release: 2014-03-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0807517402

CCBC Choices 2015 One of 25 of the best new middle grade novels, The Christian Science Monitor Best Older Fiction of 2014, Chicago Public Library 2016 Arnold Adoff New Voices Poetry Award, Honor Book What do you do when your country goes to war—and everyone thinks you're the enemy? "We lived under a sky so blue in Idaho right near the towns of Hunt and Eden but we were not welcomed there." In early 1942, thirteen-year-old Mina Masako Tagawa and her Japanese-American family are sent from their home in Seattle to an internment camp in Idaho. What do you do when your home country treats you like an enemy? This memorable and powerful novel in verse, written by award-winning author Mariko Nagai, explores the nature of fear, the value of acceptance, and the beauty of life. As thought-provoking as it is uplifting, Dust of Eden is told with an honesty that is both heart-wrenching and inspirational.