Aru Shah and the End of Time

Brief overview:

Twelve-year-old Aru Shah wants nothing more than to fit in at school, but sometimes she lets her imagination take things too far. When some peers show up and confront Aru's lie, she lights a lamp she wasn't supposed to and now she must save the world before time ends.

Recommended age range: 11 + (with adult or intentional conversations)

Strengths:

• A likeable, flawed main character with a character arc fitting for a 12-year-old
• Similar to the stories Rick Riordan writes, unpacking mythology through storytelling 
• Explores the world of Hindu mythology in an adventurous way
• Sprinkles in humor 

Notes for Parents:

• This story is told from a Hindu worldview. Young readers will hear about reincarnation. In this story, Aru and her sister are reincarnations of past warriors. This can be a springboard to unpack what Hindus believe about life after death and how this differs from what the Bible teaches.
• Demons are a part of this story, but depicted according to a Hindu perspective. The bad guy, the Sleeper, is a demon, but he didn't used to be. This can be used as a touchpoint for unpacking what the Bible teaches on demons.
• Aru lies to try to fit in and thinks that's all she can do well. But as the story unfolds, Aru realizes she has a good imagination and that's the real gift. This could be a useful conversation about why honesty matters.
• Lots of gods and goddesses referenced in this book.
• Aru and her sister battle some scary people along the way who want to hurt or kill them. 
• Aru starts at not thinking all the myths are true but through her journey realizes they are, thus affirming the validity of the Hindu worldview.
• pg. 86 - "Who should I cut first?"
• pg. 155 - reference to Mini's brother being gay, but hiding it
• pg. 165 - "a very good daydream" with winky face beside it
• pg. 301 - "A dozen or so demons with blood-spattered jaws"
• pg. 305 - "someone's head (literally) flew past her"
• pg. 308 - "Blood and spit flew over the walls."

Final Thoughts

This book provided insight into the world of Hinduism through storytelling. The Hindu religion can be difficult to track with from a Western point of view. This story places readers into a fictionalized understanding of Hindu mythology and pulls the curtain open to better understanding this worldview. Unlike Rick Riordan's writings, this book highlights religion more strongly (in this series that's Hinduism) than perhaps other books pulling from mythology. 

Shooting Kabul

Brief overview:

Relocating to California from Afghanistan hasn't been easy for sixth grader, Fadi, and his family. But winning a photography contest could give Fadi a chance to find his missing little sister.

Recommended age range: 8-12 years old

Strengths:

• Lovable characters who you root for 
• Well-written multi-cultural story 
• Navigates harder topics well for this age
• Introduces young readers to Afghan culture in a personable way
• Photography a part of the storyline
• Shows a loving, supportive family walking through difficult times
• Grants young readers a chance to understand the life of a refugee in an engaging way

Notes for Parents:

• [Spoiler alert] Some bullying takes place in the book (but it's not the primary focus). At one point, Fadi fights back and gets suspended from school for three days along with the two bullies. Later on, Fadi and some other boys who were bullied confront the bullies. Rather than cross the line of using physicality, the group opts to toss the bullies into the lake.
• [Spoiler Alert] In one scene, Fadi's guilt and stress about his missing sister triggers him in a toy store. His missing sister owned a well-loved Barbie and when he sees some in the store, he tries to destroy them. This isn't a long scene and the character is kind, but this scene shows his guilt and stress about the situation.
• [Spoiler Alert]: Fadi tries to runaway to the airport by hiding in the trunk of his dad's taxi car to find his missing sister. He's unsuccessful and gets in trouble for this foolish move. 
• This book takes place around the time of 9/11. This isn't the focus of the book, but it is mentioned and provides a backdrop to the some of the difficulties Fadi faces.
• [Spoiler alert] It's unclear if Fadi ever shares with his family that he feels responsible for his sister getting lost, but he does confide in his photography teacher.
• Uses "drunken turkey" and "p*ssed" once.