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4.0 

Secret Keeper

By Mitali Perkins
Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

From National Book Award finalist, Mitali Perkins, comes a dramatic tale about a displaced Indian family in the 1970s.
 
When Asha’s father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s brother and his family, as well as their grandmother, in Calcutta. Uncle is welcoming, but in a country steeped in tradition, the three women must abide by his decisions. Asha knows this is temporary—just until Baba sends for them.
 
But with scant savings and time passing, the tension builds: Ma, prone to spells of sadness, finds it hard to submit to her mother- and sister-in-law; Reet’s beauty attracts unwanted marriage proposals; and Asha's promise to take care of Ma and Reet leads to impulsive behavior.
 
Asha’s only solace is her rooftop hideaway, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and where she begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door—against the rules of the house. Asha can hardly believe that she, and not Reet, is the object of Jay’s attention.
 
But when tragedy strikes, Asha must make a painful choice that will change their lives forever
 
 
“Well-developed characters, funny dialogue, and the authentic depiction of spunky Asha's longing for romance and female self-determination, set in a culture that restrains women's choices, make this book an attractive pick.”—School Library Journal
 
"Achingly realistic."—Kirkus
 
"An intimate and absorbing drama.”—Publisher's Weekly
 
"Heartbreaking and hopeful." —ALA Booklist

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6 Reviews

4.0
“Genre: historical fiction Copyright date: 2009 Life for a woman in India in the 1970s. Loved this book, I have also learned so much of the culture of India.”
“<strong>Secret Keeper</strong> I wanted to cry, I felt such sadness as I was reading this. What is it like to be bound by customs and society? What must it be like to want to live your dreams but can't because you are not the right gender? My heart went out to Asha, I loved her. I know some will say that it is impossible to love a character because they are not real, but I loved her. As I read 'Secret Keeper', Asha became my friend. I understood her pain and hope that she would find joy. I was sad that she felt she had to sacrifice something she really wanted even though her sacrifice was born out of love. It still hurt me to see her pain. I not only felt for Asha but for her mom and sister too. I'm so thankful that the author gave us readers a glimpse into her culture, it was eye opening and it let you know not to be so quick in judging others' customs or lives. This was a beautiful, heartbreaking story.”

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