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“A monumental achievement and exquisite testament to the power of collaboration and community, this novel moves beyond the reality of diversity into the necessity of it.”

—School Library Journal, Starred Review

“These middle schoolers with varied interests create a wonderful mosaic representing a diverse community. Though the stories only feature characters of Indian or Pakistani heritage, there’s a richness of regional representation (e.g., Gujarati, Maharashtrian, South Indian, and Bengali), as well as religious diversity (such as Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh). A multifaceted celebration of a vibrant American community.”
—Kirkus Reviews

The Door is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices

Written by Hena Khan (Editor)
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in the fictional town of Maple Grove, New Jersey, where the local kids gather at the community center to discover new crushes, fight against ignorance, and even save a life. Cheer for Chaya as she wins chess tournaments (unlike Andrew, she knows stupid sugary soda won’t make you better at chess), and follow as Jeevan learns how to cook traditional food (it turns out he can cook sabji– he just can’t eat it).

These stories, edited by bestselling and award-winning Pakistani-American author Hena Khan, are filled with humor, warmth, and possibility. They showcase a diverse array of talented authors with heritage from the Indian subcontinent, including beloved favorites and rising stars, who each highlight the beauty and necessity of a community center that everyone calls home.

Featured Authors:

  • Veera Hiranandani
  • Supriya Kelkar
  • Maulik Pancholy
  • Simran Jeet Singh
  • Aisha Saeed
  • Reem Faruqi
  • Rajani LaRocca
  • Naheed Hasnat
  • Sayantani DasGupta
  • Mitali Perkins

Primary ISBN: 9780316450638
Publication Date: April 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Anthology, Age 08 or older

Community Represented: , , , ,

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (New Jersey)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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