Bhai for Now by Maleeha Siddiqui - ADVISABLE

 Bhai for Now by Maleeha Siddiqui, 288 pages. Scholastic, 2022. $18. 9781338702118

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

8th grader Shaheer is at his fourth middle school in as many years. Everyone always stares at the new kid, but these stares seem different. Ashar loves hockey – so much her is striving to join the most prestigious high school in the area, looking to join their most prestigious hockey team, too. So who is this new kid who seems to have stolen Ashar’s face? The boys quickly find out that they are identical twins separated at birth. Ashar wants to switch places so that he can get to know their father. Shaheer is more reserved, but willing to go along – at least for a while.

Normally the old Parent Trap treatment is a little odd and dated, but Siddiqui freshens the trope with boys who care about each other and some additional family drama that adds better dimension that a hateful stepparent. The cultural refences (ummm – yummy food, amongst other things) flow naturally and add character and interest. The main characters are all Pakistani.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS