Horn Book Review
In this companion book to [cf2]Dear Whiskers[cf1], shy new-girl Rana dreads the impending visit of her Bombay grandparents--they prefer her gregarious little sister, cook spicy food, and wear weird clothing. The arrival of a stray kitten not only brings her closer, unexpectedly, to her grandmother but also wins her friends at school. Though perhaps resolved too facilely, this brief novel is true to the feelings and experience of children. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 2-5. This companion to Dear Whiskers (2000) focuses on Rana and her family, who have just moved to town and are still getting settled. Mom and Dad have planned a trip, and Dad's parents are coming from India to baby-sit. Rana dislikes her grandmother's foreign ways and spicy cooking, and her newly adopted kitten with a penchant for pouncing on countertops and licking food doesn't improve their relationship. Finally, friends from school (including Jenny from the first book) give Rana advice on training her pet, and Grandma's appreciation helps to heal the rift. Nagda clearly understands the problems and concerns of middle-grade children, and her situations and upbeat solutions ring true. Young readers will enjoy the humor, especially the image of a sari-clad Grandma packing a water pistol to keep Rana's kitten in line. A secondary theme, involving Rana's feelings about being biracial, is also well handled, and Nagda wisely keeps it from dominating the story. A solid choice for beginning chapter-book readers or as a primary-grade read aloud. --Kay Weisman Copyright 2003 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Rana describes her move to a new neighborhood, the arrival of her not-so-favorite grandparents from India, and her adoption of a stray kitten. Mishaps abound but are resolved with sensitivity and humor, and the girl is rewarded with friends and a better understanding of family members. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
