First published 2022
Jyoti steps off the plane in India feeling overwhelmed by everything that seems different from her life in America. She worries about connecting with Sita Pati, her grandmother, especially since they don't share the same language. At first Jyoti feels isolated and uncertain in this unfamiliar place. But gradually she and her grandmother discover ways to communicate beyond words. They browse through books side by side, create intricate patterns using colored sand, and explore the bustling local market together. Sita Pati teaches Jyoti to make chapatis and serves her warm saffron milk before bed. When departure time arrives, Jyoti doesn't want to leave her grandmother behind. Sita Pati teaches her that Tamil speakers don't say goodbye but instead promise "I'll go and come back." The following summer, Sita Pati travels to America to visit Jyoti. Now Jyoti takes charge of helping her grandmother feel comfortable in a new environment. The story celebrates how love bridges cultural gaps and how family connections grow stronger through shared experiences.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: America, India
40 pages · Hardcover · Candlewick Press