Red, White, and Whole: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

Newbery Honor Book! A heartbreakingly hopeful novel in verse about an Indian American girl whose life is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia.

* Walter Award Winner * New England Book Award Winner * An NCTE Notable Verse Novel * Golden Kite Award Winner * Crystal Kite Award Winner * Goodreads Choice Nominee * A Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year * An SLJ Best Book of the Year * A BookPage Best Book of the Year * An NYPL Best Book of the Year * A Mighty Girl's Best Book of the Year * An ILA Notable Book for a Global Society * A Bank Street Best Book of the Year *Junior Library Guild Selection * A Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor *

Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she's the only Indian American student, and home, with her family's traditions and holidays. But Reha's parents don't understand why she's conflicted--they only notice when Reha doesn't meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma. Although their names are linked--Reha means "star" and Punam means "moon"--they are a universe apart.

Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick.

Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can't stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She'll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma's life.

From Indies Introduce author Rajani LaRocca comes a radiant story about the ties that bind and how to go on in the face of unthinkable loss. This is the perfect next read for fans of Jasmine Warga and Thanhhà Lại.

Author: Rajani Larocca
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Published: 02/02/2021
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.68lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.70w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780063047426

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.3
Point Value: 3
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 510574 / Red, White, and Whole

Award: Newbery Medal - Honor Book
Award: Golden Kite - Winner

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2020
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2021
Booklist 01/01/2021 pg. 75
School Library Journal 02/01/2021 pg. 68
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2021 pg. 136

About the Author
Larocca, Rajani: -

Rajani LaRocca's debut middle grade novel, Midsummer's Mayhem, was a Kirkus Best Book of 2019, an Indies Introduce selection, and an Indie Next pick. Rajani was born in India, immigrated to the U.S. when she was a baby, and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, she practices medicine and lives outside Boston with her family. Visit her at www.rajanilarocca.com.