Monday, May 18, 2009

Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger - OPTIONAL


Meminger, Neesha Shine, Coconut Moon, 253 p. McElderry (Simon), 2009. $17

Violence: PG; Language: PG. Sexual Content: PG.

MS - OPTIONAL

Samar may be Indian, but her mother has raised her alone and always taught her to blend in. Then, four days after the events of 9/11, Sam’s turbaned uncle shows up on their doorstep, setting Sam on a rocky path of introspection and self-discovery. How is it that one day everything can feel perfect and then the next day you look around and it seems like it was all a lie? Samar is no longer sure about the loyalty of her best friend, she no longer trusts her mother and she doesn’t feel so sure about her boyfriend either.

This author’s first novel clunks occasionally with situations or dialogue that don’t ring true and it does have a weird side story of Sam and her best friend collecting trashy lingerie in anticipation of their eventual “first time”. But the feelings and sentiments surrounding the aftermath of 9/11 are spot on.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

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