A Place at the Table

When 11-year-olds Elizabeth and Sara meet in an after-school South Asian cooking class, they don't immediately hit it off. Pakistani-American Sara is anxious about her family's finances and upset about starting sixth grade at a big public school instead of the private Islamic one she's always attended, while Elizabeth, who is Jewish, worries about her British mother's depression and her old best friend replacing her. When the girls become cooking partners, though, they embark on a cautious friendship with some realistic bumps: Elizabeth fails to stand up for Sara when a classmate makes racist comments, and Sara quickly tires of Elizabeth's lack of knowledge about Muslim life. Despite these occasional clashes, the pair become close, entering a cooking contest with an ingenious British-Pakistani fusion recipe and setting their mothers up to study for their U.S. citizenship tests together. Told in alternating voices, Faruqi and Shovan's nuanced tale about the thrill of budding friendship is relatable without sacrificing challenging topics, such as casual racism and financial difficulties. Ages 10-12. Agents: (for Faruqi) Kari Sutherland, Bradford Literary; (for Shovan) Stephen Barbara, InkWell Management. (Aug.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 5-7--Not only has Sara had to transfer from her small Islamic school to public school as a sixth grader, but Sara's Pakistani parents are now making her attend the South Asian cooking class her mother is teaching after school. Elizabeth joins the cooking club to find new meals to add to her repertoire; she is often the one cooking for her brothers while her British mother suffers from depression and her Jewish American father travels extensively for work. As the girls work together to form a recipe for a cooking contest at school, they bond over their immigrant mothers taking their American citizenship tests. But their blossoming friendship is tested by their xenophobic classmates, none worse than Elizabeth's best friend. Faruqi and Shovan have collaborated to create a thoughtful work where viewpoints alternate so readers can see the girls' stories differently. The girls ask each other a lot of questions that are always answered, though sometimes with an adult tone that seems heavy handed from a sixth grader. The book focuses a bit more on Sara's family and struggles, interspersed with her anger at Elizabeth and their classmates over their lack of acceptance and knowledge throughout the story. Both girls' religions are discussed frequently. The authors continue to use food to help tell their story; the food descriptions are vivid and will make readers hungry, with included recipes. VERDICT A solid story of unexpected friends coming together to break bread.--Kerri Williams, Center Moriches Free Public Library, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"This warm middle-grade novel explores the lives of first-generation immigrants and the definition of what it really means to be an American."—Teen Vogue

"Writing in alternating voices, the authors elegantly interweave issues of racism, financial insecurity, and mental illness into a familiar middle school narrative of identity formation....This tale of a diverse friendship tackles hard topics."—Kirkus

"A solid story of unexpected friends coming together to break bread."—School Library Journal

"Told in alternating voices, Faruqi and Shovan's nuanced tale about the thrill of budding friendship is relatable without sacrificing challenging topics." —Publishers Weekly

"Sara and Elizabeth's rocky relationship rings true to tween dynamics, and the writing maintains a hopeful tone as it confronts bigotry with modeled behavior....Short chapters, heavy dialogue and descriptive writing—particularly about food—should appeal to both younger and reluctant readers....This authentic cross-cultural novel offers tastes of identity, assimilation and allyship for fans of middle school friendship stories." —Shelf Awareness

"I would love to sit at a table with Sara and Elizabeth: two entirely believable characters and a lot of delicious food for thought."
—LINDA SUE PARK, Newbery Medalist and author of the New York Times bestseller, A Long Walk to Water

"A Place at the Table is a sensitive and honest book about friendship, family, cultural and racial identity, and one of the most important things that brings us together as people—good food. Faruqi and Shovan skillfully handle these complex topics with nuance, humor, and a joyful culinary appreciation that will leave any reader inspired and hungry!"
—VEERA HIRANANDANI, author of The Night Diary, a Newbery Honor Book

"A feast of a novel, full of warmth and insight. Without minimizing the challenges faced by immigrants in our country, Faruqi and Shovan have written a charming, hopeful story about two girls from different cultures who find common ground in the kitchen. Readers will eagerly pull up a chair for this lovely tale of friendship, food, and family."
—BARBARA DEE, author of Maybe He Just Likes You