American Desi

By Jyoti Rajan Gopal, Supriya Kelkar (Illustrator)

A young girl navigates her bicultural identity, seeking where she truly belongs.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 317 ratings

40 pages· 306 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

A young girl stands at the crossroads of her Indian heritage and American upbringing. As she swaps between vibrant pavadais and casual jeans, she questions where she truly belongs. Must she choose one identity, or can she celebrate both? Through rhythmic verses and vivid art, her journey explores the beauty and challenges of being bicultural, inviting readers to ponder their own cultural identities and the possibility of harmonizing them.

From the publisher

For fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, this poetic story filled with expressive art empowers South Asian children living in the United States and celebrates being bicultural. Pavadais in bright gold colors Jersey shirts and faded jeans Swapping, changing, feeling seen… Which is the color of me? A young girl longs to know where she fits in: Is she American? Or is she Indian? Does she have to pick or can she be both? With bright, joyful rhyme, and paired with an immersive art style using American and Indian fabrics, American Desi celebrates the experiences of young children growing up first and second generation Indian American: straddling the two cultural worlds they belong to, embracing all they love of both worlds and refusing to be limited by either. This story is a powerful tribute to the joy of being South Asian and for every reader who aspires to bridge their worlds with grace, grit, and confidence.

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