Not Myself Today
Written by Mahtab Narsimhan
Published by Orca Book Publishers
Spoiled eighth-grader Riya Khatau hates her new public school.
Her classmates have bad hair, no style and aren’t well-off like her other friends. But she was kicked out of her private school, so she’s stuck at public school for the rest of the year. At least she has Char and Nikki, her new friends who come from wealthy families too. Together they pick on their classmates, especially Saanvi, whose confidence and popularity confuses Riya since Saanvi only dresses in dollar-store clothes.
When their class visits an exhibit of ancient eastern artifacts, Saanvi has enough of Riya’s bullying and angrily wishes Riya could trade places with her. To both of their surprise, the magic of an ancient artifact causes them to swap bodies. Now Riya gets a taste of how her snobbish friends treat others. But she also experiences Saanvi’s warm extended family and the deep connection they have to their Indian culture, which Riya has never had. Can Riya apologize to Saanvi and work with her to switch their bodies back?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: August 2026
Available As: Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 09 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Canadian Connection, Coming of Age, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Body/Hair, Discrimination: Economic, Family Relationship: Extended, Family Relationship: Parents, Identity: Exploration, Mental Health, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: Unspecified
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant, Unknown Arrival
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Projects & Resources:
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Engagement Materials:
Not Myself Today – Teacher Guide
Not Myself Today – Word Search
Not Myself Today – Word Search Answer Key
Source: Orca Book Publishers