

From award-winning author-illustrators Supriya Kelkar and Jarrett Lerner comes an illustrated middle-grade novel about a pair of unlikely friends determined to save the library that brought them together.Roohi and Nate are not friends. Their paths have crossed a handful of times over the years–and the outcome has never been good. Nate thinks Roohi is a snobby know-it-all, and Roohi thinks Nate is nothing but a slacker.But that begins to change when they both somewhat reluctantly join a reading club that meets during lunch at their school library. The Lunch Bunch allows Roohi to open up about feeling disconnected from her friends on the track team after a broken toe sidelined her for the season.Nate, who has always struggled in school, shares how tired he is of constantly being compared to his genius older brother. Despite their differences, and maybe because of them, Roohi and Nate form a friendship unlike any other they’ve ever had, with each other and with the other kids in the club.As the Lunch Bunch gets stronger, though, things seem to be falling apart at the library. When the kids learn that their beloved librarian, Mrs. Sharp’s, job may be in danger due to budget cuts, they band together to find a solution . . . which proves to be easier said than done.Can Roohi and Nate’s new friendship survive outside of the Lunch Bunch in order to save the place that brought them together?
Born and raised in the Midwest, Supriya Kelkar learned Hindi as a child by watching three Hindi movies a week. Supriya is a screenwriter who has worked on the writing teams for several Hindi films and one Hollywood feature. Her books include American as Paneer Pie, The Sandalwood Pyre, and Ahimsa. Learn more at supriyakelkar.com. Alea Marley is a children’s illustrator who is is currently based in North England. Her illustration clients include Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Sterling, American Girl, Little Bee, and Macmillan. Find her online at aleamarley.co.uk.
Jarrett Lerner lives with his wife, a cat, and a dog who sometimes thinks he’s a cat in Medford, Massachusetts. You can visit him online at JarrettLerner.com.
Nothing yet! Let Supriya Kelkar know that you want to hear from them about their book.
Nothing yet! Let Jarrett Lerner know that you want to hear from them about their book.
Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.