Review: Book: In the Key of Nira Ghani- Natasha Deen

 

Title: In the Key of Nira Ghani

Series: Standalone

Author’s Name: Natasha Deen

Publisher: Running Press Kids

Genre: YA

Page Count: 300 Pages

ISBN: 9780762465477

Author or Book Website: https://natashadeen.com/

Link to Amazon purchase page: In the Key of Nira Ghani

Link to Goodreads: In the Key of Nari Ghani

Release Date: N/A

How I Got the Book: Review Copy

Summary of the Book:

Nira Ghani has always dreamed of becoming a musician. Her Guyanese parents, however, have big plans for her to become a scientist or doctor. Nira’s grandmother and her best friend, Emily, are the only people who seem to truly understand her desire to establish an identity outside of the one imposed on Nira by her parents. When auditions for jazz band are announced, Nira realizes it’s now or never to convince her parents that she deserves a chance to pursue her passion.

As if fighting with her parents weren’t bad enough, Nira finds herself navigating a new friendship dynamic when her crush, Noah, and notorious mean-girl, McKenzie “Mac,” take a sudden interest in her and Emily, inserting themselves into the fold. So, too, does Nira’s much cooler (and very competitive) cousin Farah. Is she trying to wiggle her way into the new group to get closer to Noah? Is McKenzie trying to steal Emily’s attention away from her? As Farah and Noah grow closer and Emily begins to pull away, Nira’s trusted trumpet “George” remains her constant, offering her an escape from family and school drama.

But it isn’t until Nira takes a step back that she realizes she’s not the only one struggling to find her place in the world. As painful truths about her family are revealed, Nira learns to accept people for who they are and to open herself in ways she never thought possible.

A relatable and timely contemporary, coming-of age story, In the Key of Nira Ghani explores the social and cultural struggles of a teen in an immigrant household.

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I was excited to get this book since I have a love for story that tells about family and friends and coming of age. Nira just wants to go after her dream and passion of music. She has to navigate crushes, friendships, family and discovering things about them and herself along the way. It is a wonderful story and it made me feel a lot of things and be in my emotions.

My Rating of the Book: 4 1/2 Stars