While I enjoyed my read of Blue Jasmine, I did't think it was especially good. Yes, the topic- immigrating from India to the midwest- is fascinating and since the author is telling a story similar to her own it is likely very authentic but I didn't think that the quality of the writing was that good. I though that the resolution with the instances of bullying in both India and the United States were unrealistic in their positive resolution. In some ways, the book also felt like a laundry list of differences between the two lives Seema participates in. These differences are often shown via stories rather than just description which is better but still seem a little overwhelming in comparison with the general plot line. In comparison to Inside Out and Back Again, a story about a girl immigrating from Vietnam, I don't think it's as good, particularly because Inside Out leaves some of the conflict with the community unresolved and that the form of novel in verse helped the author to limit what she could address rather than trying to fit it all in. I'm sure people will argue that the idealized resolution to bullying and friendship issues is a nice example for kids and I don't object with this view. My preference is simply for something a little more realistic. However, in the end, I think this book would make a good choice for classroom use, particularly because of the explicitness of the issues involved in immigration.
"Blue Jasmine" talks about the problems children face when they're forced to emigrate with their parents to a new home in a very sensitive way and keeps it understandable for kids. In spite of the easy language this book should be interesting to adults as well, since the problems protagonist Seema is facing apply to adult situations (outside and beyond school) as well.I liked it very much that - while she gets to know the American culture - her understanding for her own culture deepens as well. She doesn't think everything back home to be perfect, and, despite being quite miserable in the beginning, never only sees the bad side of her new home. The contrast between the Indian and the Western culture was also very well executed - especially in Seema's discovery of the meaning of Swastikas as Nazi symbols in the Western world; and in the friends explanations of Diwali & Christmas.All in all a highly recommendable book; also a very easy read, since it's well written, and just about 180 pages long. Spiced with a few memorable quotes, it serves well to fill an evening with something really entertaining to do.
What do You think about Blue Jasmine (2006)?
The library that sent this book classified it as YA.. I think I would have this as a solid juvenile. Why? because the ending is happy - the writing is more towards the juvenile end though there is some lovely poetic uses and phrases. This book contains quite a bit about upper middle class Indian life and the adjustments needed when immigrating to the US. I found Seema a mature main character. At times, she seemed more mature than most people around her. The side characters were not as well developed. All in all, this book makes me regret that I live in such a white bread part of the country...
—kelly
Touching story - good for grades 4 and up. Seema moves her her family from India to Iowa City. Beginning a new life in a new country along with a new school is difficult. Seema faces the challenges of meeting with new friends, learning a new language, and learning about a new culture. She begins to find out how it feels to be the odd girl out, and this realization leads her to regret some of the cruel treatment she gave to a schoolmate back in India. Will she have a chance to make things right and feel at peace with herself?
—Becky
The novel begins in India, with Seema and her family deciding to move to America, more specifically, Iowa. We are also introduced to Mutka, a young Indian girl whose family is struggling to makes ends meet. Seema is drawn to her and they strike up a friendship right before Seema and her family are to leave. In Iowa, Seema is met by Carrie and Jennifer who immediately become her best friends. Seema and her family go through the difficult task of assimilating into American life, but it is really Seema’s long-distance friendship with Mutka that is at the forefront. Seema is wary of their friendship as Mutka and her family are looked down upon because they are poor. The book not only explores Seema's assimilation but it also looks at how those of the same culture can ostracize their own.
—Ginger Stepp
