Title: In the Key of Nira Ghani
Author: Natasha Deen
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Publication Date: April 9, 2019
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Summary
Nira’s dreams have always been to be a musician, but her parents have different plans for her. Wanting her to have a better life than they did in Guyana, they want her to become a doctor or scientist. While Nira is good at those things, it’s just not where she wants her life to go.
When the school jazz band announces auditions, Nira thinks that this might finally be her chance. However, not only does she need to convince her parents to allow her to audition, she also has to gather the courage to play her trumpet in front of an audience.
The audition brings relationships challenges with it as well. Her crush, Noah, plays in the jazz band, and her best friend, Emily, seems to be growing more distance–and closer to another girl named McKenzie.
As things unfold, Nira struggles to figure out her place in the world.
Review: Nira Ghani
Thank you to NetGalley and Running Press Kids for providing me with an advanced copy to review! This was a quick read for me, which means that I basically flew through this book! At the surface, this is a fun read full of humor and your typical high school drama. But as you dig deeper, there’s a lot to love from this book, between familial expectations, finding your voice, and navigating changing friendships.
Nira’s at the core of the novel, and while she’s completely oblivious to things happening around her a lot of the time, her voice is what carries readers through the novel. Though I was frustrated with her at times, I loved the way her character was able to learn and grow. And her relationship with her grandma! Her grandma was one of the best parts.
The portrayal of Guyanese culture within the book comes from an own voices author, making it feel authentic and giving readers a glimpse into a culture that is almost non-existent in YA. I actually learned a lot with the interactions between Nira and her family, and those scenes felt very intimate and real.
The only negative I think I’d take away from this book is that the plot is a bit predictable. It has a typical YA feel to it, meaning that the characters and themes are all the more important. For the most part, I think they’re up to the task.
Overall, In the Key of Nira Ghani is sure to pull on your heartstrings, and a fitting read for the coming spring!
3.5/5 stars