Pashmina

 

Author: Nidhi Chanani

Title: Pashmina

Genre: Graphic Novel

Bibliographic Data in MLA format: Chaudhuri, Sailen. Pashmina. Woodhead Publishing India, 2020.

Recommended Grade Level(s): 5-7

Number of Pages: 168

*Brief, concise plot description (no more than one paragraph): 

Pashmina is a graphic novel about a girl named Pri and her discovery of a hidden pashmina from her mother's suitcase from India. When she puts on this scarf, she is transported to this magical place in India and she meets some friends and tries to find out about her past and the history of her family. On this adventure, she learns about trust, traditions, and the reality of life in another country.

Possible Teaching Concerns (may refer back to the text(s) used in class): 

There is not much concern about this novel, however, there are a few minor instances of violence and Pri seems fond of her teacher, which according to Common Sense Media is an instance of sexual nature. So basically, there are no concerns here. 

Personal Reaction to/and/or Evaluation of novel: 

This was the first graphic novel I have ever read, so I really did enjoy the experience. It took me a little while to understand how graphic novels work, but once I understood that, I think I was able to enjoy it more. I thought there were many great role models and lessons about identity, so I think this would be great to teach in a classroom. Definitely, younger grades, because it was so easy. 

Canonical work with which to juxtapose this novel & a brief (one paragraph) description of the rationale to connect the 2 works: 

I would compare this novel with The House on Mango Street because both of the protagonists are young women who have families based heavily on their family culture and heritage. In this novel, Pri learns about where her mother came from and what her heritage was. In the second novel, Esperanza talks a lot about her name and where she came from.