The Door Is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices

by Veera Hiranandani, Supriya Kelkar, Maulik Pancholy, Simran Jeet Singh, Aisha Saeed Narrated by Anjali Kunapaneni, Vikas Adam

Overview

Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in this warm-hearted novel of interconnected stories that celebrates the diversity of South Asian American experiences in a local community center.

Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in the fictional town of Maple Grove, New Jersey, where the local kids gather at the community center to*discover new crushes, fight against ignorance, and even save a life. Cheer for Chaya as she wins*chess tournaments (unlike Andrew, she knows stupid sugary soda won't make you better at chess), and follow as Jeevan learns how to cook traditional food (it turns out he can cook sabji-- he just can't eat it).

These stories, edited by bestselling and award-winning Pakistani-American author Hena Khan, are filled with humor, warmth, and possibility. They showcase a diverse array of talented authors with heritage from the Indian subcontinent, including beloved favorites and rising stars, who each highlight the beauty and necessity of a community center that everyone calls home.

Editorial Reviews

JUNE 2024 - AudioFile

Narrators Anjali Kunapaneni and Vikas Adam create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere in this delightful collection of stories about Desi middle schoolers who gather at the Maple Grove Community Center. These preteens come from a wide variety of family structures, religions, and South Asian cultural backgrounds. Adam and Kunapaneni take care to give every character a distinct voice that fits their personality and circumstances. Both narrators excel as they portray kids on the cusp of growing up, alternately exuberant and irritable as they deal with crushes, bullies, and parental expectations. Alongside these common personal challenges, they also face prejudice and xenophobia without letting the ignorance of others dull their senses of self-worth and community pride. N.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159606341
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	04/23/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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