Perkins, Metali. Monsoon summer.PERKINS, Metali. Monsoon monsoon (mŏns  n) [Arab., mausium=season], wind that changes direction with change of season, notably in India and SE Asia. summer. Random House, Laurel Leaf. 257p. c2004. 0-440-23840-4. $6.50. JS To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, July 2004: Jasmine jasmine (jăs`mĭn, jăz–) or jessamine (jĕs`əmĭn), any plant of the genus Jasminum of the family Oleaceae (olive family). (aka Jazz) lives in Berkeley, California Berkeley is a city on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in Northern California, in the United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington. , and she and her best friend Steve have a little business they run after school, weekends, and in the summer--a business that is highly successful. Jazz is in love with Steve, but feels awkward about letting him know how she feels, afraid it would ruin their friendship and partnership. Jazz's mother has a plan for the family to travel together to the orphanage ORPHANAGE, Eng. law. By the custom of London, when a freeman of that city dies, his estate is divided into three parts, as follows: one third part to the widow; another, to the children advanced by him in his lifetime, which is called the orphanage; and the other third part may be by him in India where she was once abandoned as a baby; they will spend the summer helping the nuns who once had helped her so much. Most of the story takes place in India, as each member of the family discovers new interests and changes in profound ways. Jazz makes friends with an orphan orphan: see adoption; foundling hospital; guardian and ward. See widow & orphan. Orphan See also Abandonment. Adverse, Anthony finally, at middle age, discovers origins. [Am. Lit. named Danita who is about her own age and learns that Danita is expected to accept an arranged marriage The purpose of an arranged marriage is to form a new family unit by marriage while respecting the chastity of all people involved. As suggested by the term, an arranged marriage is typically arranged by someone other than the persons getting married, curtailing or avoiding the soon and leave the orphanage. Jazz is horrified hor·ri·fy tr.v. hor·ri·fied, hor·ri·fy·ing, hor·ri·fies 1. To cause to feel horror. See Synonyms at dismay. 2. To cause unpleasant surprise to; shock. that Danita is willing to even consider this fate, and she encourages Danita to start her own business to gain some independence. Jazz's own experience is invaluable to Danita, and by the end of the summer Jazz is seeing new ways she can help Danita achieve independence. Throughout is Jazz's correspondence with Steve who is back in California, but many of the letters she writes she is unable to send, afraid of revealing her true feelings towards him. How their romance develops even over such a long distance is a major aspect of the story, and an appealing one for YA readers. But the strength of the novel is the detailed life in India in Pune during the months the family is there. The author is Bengali herself and she and her husband journeyed to Pune, "where God blessed us with the gift of our twin sons." Claire Rosser, KLIATT J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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