My first official review of a graphic novel! So thrilled to have read Pashmina, and share my love for it with all of you. Pashmina was the India-centric middle-grade graphic novel I never knew I needed until I turned the first page. There's a lack of representation of Indian culture for middle grade books especially, so the release of books like Pashmina and Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi are especially important.
For me, the most important elements of graphic novels are: art, characters, and plot. Pashmina ticked all of these boxes wonderfully! Nidhi Chadhani’s drawings are gorgeous, and I love how she used color to signify different stories that were woven together. Her style is adorable, and the graphics were easy to follow. I love how she used typical Indian patterns and designs in her illustrations as well. One of my favorite parts of the book were the characters. I loved Priyanka's interactions with her mom and uncle, as well as her aunt later on. She was so sweet and caring, and I wish the book had been longer so I could see her grow more and learn more about her family and heritage. I think that is my only complaint about the whole book. I would have loved to see it go a bit further, and explore all the topics a bit more in-depth. I deeply relate to some of Prianka's experiences in relation to family and culture. I can’t do these direct comparisons often, so I love to find books with Indian characters whose journeys sometimes parallel my own. I love that she got to visit India and meet parts of her family that she hadn't seen before. I had that experience when I was young, too, and I don't think I could ever forget that. Chanani made the right move in highlighting the beauty in India when comparing it to the US, so that the image of India as only a poor, third-world country can be given some other dimensions. Pashmina is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel touching gently on some heavy topics in a manner appropriate for middle grade readers. I would give it 4 stars for what it shows and the manner in which it is shown.
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The BaronessHey, I'm Shreya! I love to read, write, travel, and drink tea. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of bookshop.org and I will earn a small commission if you click the above link and make a purchase.
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