Nina Soni: Former Best Friend by Kashmira Sheth - ADVISABLE

Nina Soni: Former Best Friend by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky, 145 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Peachtree, 2019. $16

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

While moving her arms and talking, Nina knocks over and ruins her best friend’s model ship. She is nervous that he won’t forgive her, but through a writing assignment at school she discovers that friendships are heartier than she imagined. 

Not much happens in this story to move the plot along except for very ordinary daily events. The character of Nina was the most appealing part - she made lists and and defined words and was trying to grow as a person. The characters are Indian-American which may be a draw for some readers.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher