Publishers Weekly
★ 05/29/2023
In this moving novel by Perkins (The Story of Us), 13-year-old aspiring poet Pandita Paul struggles to navigate grief and change in her rapidly gentrifying Silicon Valley neighborhood. Since the death of Pandu’s mother years ago, the apricot orchard across the street—which the two called Ashar Jaiga, or place of hope—has recently been a sanctuary for Pandu, until it’s threatened when the mansion property on which it sits is sold for redevelopment into purportedly affordable rental units. When demolition begins, Pandu loses access to this refuge and worries that, once the orchard is gone, her memories of Ma will go with it. In her search for a solution, Pandu cultivates an alliance with the town librarian and members of the local historical preservation society, who are adamant about preventing the property’s bulldozing. But this allyship puts Pandu at odds with her older sister Shar, an affordable housing activist who supports the development. Though the novel is set in the 1980s, issues surrounding housing inequity and financial precarity deeply resonate with present-day challenges. Employing Pandu’s lilting voice and quiet bravery, Perkins crafts an introspective novel about moving on from loss and finding the courage to fight for what one believes in. Pandu and her family are Indian American. Ages 8–12. (July)
From the Publisher
A Kirkus Best of the Year
A BookPage Best Book of the Year
"Grief, memories, and the difficulty of letting go permeate this powerful story about family, friendship, and finding your voice . . . deeply compelling . . . A riveting, courage-filled story." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Though the novel is set in the 1980s, issues surrounding housing inequity and financial precarity deeply resonate with present-day challenges. Employing Pandu’s lilting voice and quiet bravery, Perkins crafts an introspective novel about moving on from loss and finding the courage to fight for what one believes in." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"The story is set in the summer of 1980 in Silicon Valley, California, before the tech boom. It is a place on the cusp, much like the story’s protagonist, who finds herself compelled by memories of her past; the complex and fascinating history she uncovers; and possibilities for the future of her town, her family, and herself." —Horn Book, starred review
"Many books advocate for listening carefully to people of opposing views while following one's own beliefs, but few do it better than Perkins' exceptional Hope in the Valley." —Bookpage, starred review
"Perkins explores topics that were relevant both then and now, including racism, housing inequity, and activism on a level that young readers will be able to comprehend and learn from...Perkins explores matters of grief, growing up, and multigenerational relationships in a moving novel that will resonate and linger with readers long after the last beautiful page." —School Library Journal, starred review
"Perfect for readers seeking an emboldened young hero." —Booklist
"Beautifully written." —Book Riot
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2023-04-12
Grief, memories, and the difficulty of letting go permeate this powerful story about family, friendship, and finding your voice.
Pandita Paul’s Bengali family includes two older twin sisters, Shar and Indy, and their father, Baba, but it has a gaping hole: their late Ma. This chasm is deepened as the nearby abandoned Johnson property, including the orchard Pandu and Ma called Ashar Jaiga, or place of hope, is being sold and developed for rental units. This demolition will take with it Pandu’s sweet recollections of enjoying the orchard’s apricots, flowers, and bird song with Ma. Things are changing too fast for Pandu. Worse, everyone seems to be moving on, including her ex–best friend and even Baba, who is dating The Intruder. But tentative friendships blossom at her summer drama camp even as Pandu, desperately clinging to her memories of Ma, is pitted against her own sister, who advocates for affordable housing in their Silicon Valley community. Set in the 1980s, this beautifully written book weaves together the Indian American Pauls’ personal histories as well as those of the U.S. and India. In trying to save the place she and her mother loved, the 13-year-old embarks on a journey that takes her down pathways of memory of earlier inhabitants of the Johnson house and the region. In doing so, Pandu gives wings to her words and her voice. There’s poetry here, along with literature and lots of culinary heritage, all combining in a deeply compelling read.
A riveting, courage-filled story. (Fiction. 8-12)
