Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 15

Here continues my middle-grade (MG) reading momentum with this second MG compilation post!

Born Behind Bars (Sept. 7, 2021) by Padma Venkatraman.

*This is a standalone novel.*

Now that Kabir Khan has turned nine, he’s too old … to continue living in the Chennai prison with his amma (mother). But that prison is the only place he knows since he was born there. He and his mom share a cell with three women Kabir’s dubbed Grandma Knife, Aunty Cloud and Mouse Girl. Unlike his cellmates, he is allowed to cross the prison grounds to the schoolroom and his teacher, Bedi Ma’am, with his friend Malli, who’s younger than he is. When Kabir learns he must leave the only place he’s ever known, he’s devastated, but reminds himself that he will free his mom someday. Still, finding himself on the streets is no easy thing after escaping from Fake Uncle. Fortunately, Rani (of the Roma community) and Jay, her parrot, come to his aid. Rani is a slingshot-wielding girl of 12 or 13, and she is street smart. She likes to sleep in trees and can recite the names of her ancestors going back ten generations. She doesn’t want to get Kabir’s hopes up, but she will go to Bengaluru (where his paternal grandparents were known to be) with him, if only they can earn the money. They can’t simply walk there, as Bengaluru is in another state. Kabir will not be deterred, for he is convinced that he will get his mom out and be together in a world that they both deserve to flourish in.

            Venkatraman isn’t one to avoid weighty themes, having been inspired to write this story after reading a BBC news report about a boy in India who had been born in jail. It’s realistic fiction that one wishes was only fable. It’s a riveting, gritty, evocative novel with distinct characters and a fast-moving plot. Kabir is determined and hopeful yet understandably vulnerable and overwhelmed. He’s a survivor, and he’s still a young boy. This story is an immersive experience that isn’t without horror and danger. It’s an important book for people to read. Yes, it’s a fictitious story, but it reads so authentically, and I appreciate that my local library has this book available for patrons to check out.

            Note: Kabir’s character is half Hindu, half Muslim. His mom said that she married his dad in secret, knowing his Muslim parents wouldn’t find it acceptable that their son had married a Hindu woman. As it were, the name Kabir is a name that both Hindus and Muslims use.

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel (May 3, 2022) by Jenna Yoon.

*This is the first novel in a series.*

Overprotective parents are the worst! Lia Park is 12 years old and has an invite to a birthday party for the most popular girl in her class. She thinks she should go, because even though it’s her dream to attend the International Magic Agency’s (IMA) school, with her lack of a manifested magical ability, she’s stuck being a regular person. She’ll still take the entrance exam ... or maybe not. After defying her parents and going to the party, which was disastrous, Lia comes home to a dead IMA agent, a ransacked home and coalescing smoke. Her parents are missing and a vengeful spirit called Gaya expects Lia to bring her the missing jewel. Too bad Lia’s parents have kept her in the dark all these years, and she has zero idea what the jewel looks like, much less how to retrieve it. Fortunately, her best friend, Joon, is along with her when they magically transport to Korea. She gets to see her halmoni (grandma) in-person. The quest isn’t easy, and Lia must rely on her skill with riddles and a discovered ability that’s been kept hidden, not to mention a destiny she never could’ve anticipated (hint: Hwarang).

            I have no problem admitting that I checked this book out because it features a Korean-American main character. While her destiny feels ancient, her surroundings are normally modern. I really appreciate and enjoy how fast-moving this story is, mixing the contemporary world with mythology and magic. The text does include romanized Korean words and phrases, which may be tricky for some to read, but definitely helps tie Lia to her Korean culture alongside her American life. The language, also used for spells, plays an essential role in the story. While Lia struck me as a brat in the first few chapters, her resilience, strength and love of others (especially her parents and best friend) grow exponentially throughout the story. This is an excellent middle-grade, fantasy adventure, and I hope it’s a ride that readers can continue on.

Pahua and the Soul Stealer (Sept. 7, 2021) by Lori M. Lee.

*This is the first novel in a series.*

Even without her ability to see spirits, like her best friend, cat spirit Miv, Pahua Moua is known as a weirdo amongst her classmates. She is an 11-year-old Hmong girl, the lone Asian American in her sixth grade class at her Wisconsin school. With a single mother who picks up extra shifts to make ends meet, Pahua often babysits her younger brother, Matt. Their mother has reminded them multiple times to stay away from the bridge, but Pahua, being so lonely and desperately wanting friends her age, goes to the bridge with a group of girls, one a new classmate and the others known bullies. She accidentally untethers the bridge’s malevolent spirit (a poj ntxoog, pronounced paw zhong), and not only does she not know what to do, but her brother falls deathly ill. Thinking she can fix what she did, she finds her aunt’s old shaman tools in her mother’s closet. But ... she has no idea how to use them and summons a demon instead. Fortunately, a young shaman warrior who needs an attitude adjustment arrives on-scene to save Pahua. Pahua and Zhong will need to wend their way through the spirit world (Dab Teb, pronounced dah thay) to rescue Matt’s soul before it can no longer return.

            What a fantastic middle-grade debut from Lee! This story has something for many readers, whether they’re fans of fantasy and magic, Hmong or Asian American representation, an adventure story set between the Midwest and Dab Teb or any or all of the above. Kicking off the Pahua Moua Series, this novel reads quickly with Lee’s clever writing, the humorous dialogue bringing levity to the challenges the girls encounter, the Hmong-mythology-filled plot is rich in world-building and imagination, and the characters are engaging and relatable (from Pahua’s struggles with identity to Zhong wanting to prove herself to Pahua’s mom working incredibly hard to provide for her family). There are themes of family, friendship and identity. Yes, identity is prevalent in many BIPOC stories, and I often get the impression that my identity as a Korean adoptee is different from those who’ve grown up as non-adoptees. I’d have been Pahua’s friend for sure if she’d been my classmate (I know for a fact that my mom would’ve encouraged it, as she always seemed to have a sixth sense for scoping out loneliness amongst my peers when I was young). For those unfamiliar words, there is a handy glossary included in the back matter. A high-spirited story, this shouldn’t just be on all library shelves, it should be consistently checked out! Another standout for the Rick Riordan Presents imprint!