Divali Rose - Hardcover

Rahaman, Vashanti

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 159078524X ISBN 13: 9781590785249

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 2008

Synopsis

The meaning of the Hindu "festival of lights" becomes clear to a young boy. Ricki is looking forward to Divali, the Hindu "festival of lights." He's also waiting for two special rosebuds to bloom—buds on the bush his grandfather had planted in the front yard. Grandfather promises that the roses will be the color of Divali, but Ricki can't imagine what color that might be. One morning, Ricki bends one of the rosebuds to get a closer look and accidentally snaps it off. When his grandfather believes the new neighbors have stolen his rosebud, Ricki must summon up the courage to confess what he has done. Set in Trinidad, this moving story reflects the significance of a festival that is celebrated by nearly one billion Hindus worldwide.

About this title

About the Author:

Vashanti Rahaman is the author of A Little Salmon for Witness: A Story of Trinidad and O Christmas Tree. Born in Dominica, West Indies, she is a frequent contributor to Highlights for Children, Pockets, and Cricket, among other magazines. She lives in Rolla, Missouri.

Jamel Akib is the illustrator of Monsoon and Bringing Asha Home, both written by Uma Krishnaswami. Raised in Malaysia, he now resides in England, where he was born.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2–4—In this story set in Trinidad, Ricki accidentally snaps a rosebud off his grandfather's bush and is afraid to tell the truth. Grandpa assumes that their new neighbors from India stole it. He shows Ricki a photograph of Ricki's great-grandparents who emigrated from India more than a century earlier and explains how "them people who only now come from India" are not "real Indian." When Ricki comments that the newcomers don't have it any easier, Grandpa changes the subject. In the spirit of Divali, Grandpa presents a rose to the woman but tells her to keep her children away from his flowers. When she denies any involvement, Ricki finally confesses. In the satisfying resolution, the neighbors send sweets decorated with rose petals, Grandpa calls them "good neighbors," and Ricki's worries dissipate. This appealing, multilayered story will provoke discussion about resentments between different generations of immigrants. Readers will relate to Ricki's inner conflict as he procrastinates over telling the truth. Akib's impressionistic pastel paintings portray the tropical setting and Ricki's feelings of guilt. Several outdoor scenes are depicted from an upward angle, effectively expressing a child's perspective. An author's note explains the Divali festival, gives a short history of Trinidadian Indians, and notes that Trinidadians have their own dialect, which is authentically captured in the dialogue. Pair this title with Armin Greder's The Island (Allen & Unwin, 2007) for a lesson on xenophobia and prejudice.—Monika Schroeder, American Embassy School Library, New Delhi, India
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About this edition

• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 159078524X
• ISBN 13: 9781590785249
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Akib Jamel