Embrace the Chicken

Series: Orca Currents
Publication Date: 30 Jun. 2021
Format: Paperback / softback

ISBN 9781459827431

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    Even though she only left Mumbai a few months ago, Shivani isn’t feeling like such an outsider anymore. She likes her new school. She finally has a best friend. But when her mother volunteers for the school’s annual fundraiser, Shivani is sure she will completely embarrass her. Especially if she cooks one of the “stinky” dishes that Shivani loves but is too ashamed to eat in front of her friends.

    On the day of the fair, the moment Shivani walks into the gym, she knows her worst fears have come true: the unmistakable scent of Indian spices is in the air. But then she sees that dozens of people are lined up at her mom’s stall. It’s the most popular one!

    Information

    Book Type: Reluctant Reader
    Age Group: 9 to 12 years
    Traffic Lights: Green/Amber
    Class Novel: No
    Good Reads Rating: /5
    Literary Rating: /5

    Review

    Shivani has recently emigrated to Canada from Mumbai, and after a rough transition things finally seem to be on track. She has friends and loves her new school. But she’s certain the reason things are going well is because of the effort she has made to present as completely Canadian. This includes never bringing Indian food to school or inviting her new friends home where they would meet her mother and hear her broken English. 

    When the school fundraiser calls for volunteers to run food stalls, Shivani’s mother wants to join in. But Shivani is so worried about how people will react that she forces her mother to stay out of it. They argue, and Shivani finally starts to see her mother’s side of the story. She worked hard to bring Shivani and her sister Anita to Canada and give them the opportunities she never had, including an education. And now Shivani is hiding her, like she’s ashamed? 

    Shivani tells her mother that she was worried about people making fun of her, like the rich, English-speaking people used to in Mumbai. But when she invites her friend Mel over for dinner, Mel is blown away by Shivani’s mother’s cooking and clearly has no intention of making fun of her!

    On the day of the fundraiser, Shivani finds out that her mother and Anita are running a stall, despite her objections. To her shock, it’s an absolute hit—they raise more money than any stall in the history of the fundraiser, and people can’t stop talking about how good their butter chicken was! Shivani realises that her family is a gift and her heritage is something to be proud of, and that people want to get to know the real her, not just the facade. 

    A sweet story about immigration, heritage, and the pressure to conform. Shivani is so worried about the possible backlash from racist, classist people that she doesn’t think about the beauty of sharing her culture with her new friends. Mel’s accepting and open attitude is a great example of how to help people feel welcomed. 

    Shivani’s experiences are related with authenticity and nuance, and the flavours of her mother's curry permeate the book—it’s a good thing there are recipes at the back! 

    Themes

    Indian immigrant, new friends, fitting in, embarrassment, false assumptions, community

    Content Notes

    Shivani has a crush on a boy called Ryan, but nothing comes of it (p. 63, 81, 87).

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