What a Desi Girl Wants
Written by Sabina Khan
Published by Scholastic, Inc.
Mehar hasn’t been back to India since she and her mother moved away when she was only four. Hasn’t visited her father, her grandmother, her family, or the home where she grew up. Why would she? Her father made it clear that she’s not his priority when he chose not to come to the US with them.
But when her father announces his engagement to socialite Naz, Mehar reluctantly agrees to return for the wedding. Maybe she and her father can heal their broken relationship. And after all, her father is Indian royalty, and his home is a palace—the wedding is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime affair.
While her father still doesn’t make the time for her, Mehar barely cares once she meets Sufiya, her grandmother’s assistant, and one of the most grounded, thoughtful, kind people she’s ever met! Though they come from totally different worlds, their friendship slowly starts to blossom into something more . . . Mehar thinks.
Meanwhile, Mehar’s dislike for Naz and her social media influencer daughter, Aleena, deepens. She can tell that the two of them are just using her father for his money. Mehar’s starting to think that putting a stop to this wedding might be the best thing for everyone involved.
But what happens when telling her father the truth about Naz and Aleena means putting her relationship with Sufiya at risk . . .
Primary ISBN: 9781338749335
Publication Date: July 2023
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Young Adult, Age 12 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American, Muslim/Muslim American
Themes: Audiobook, Celebrations, Coming of Age, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Family Relationship: Parents, Genre: Romance, Immigrant: Education, LGBTQIA+, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Muslim, Visiting Home Country, Welcoming by Individual
Setting: United States, India
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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