April 23, 2021 - This month, to celebrate National Poetry Month I’m going to be sharing a novel verse each week. Today I am going to read Red, While and Whole by Rajani LaRocca. Stay tuned to the end, because after I read, I’ll be having a conversation with the author about her debut book and writing process. Red, White and Whole is a heartbreakingly hopeful #ownvoices novel in verse about an Indian American girl whose life is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia.
Book Blurb: Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked—Reha means “star” and Punam means “moon”—but they are a universe apart. Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick. Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life.
Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
Interactive Student Engagement Worksheets for the entire First Chapter Friday Video Series - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Student-Engagement-Worksheets-Full-Year-7158141
Grab your copy of Red, White and Whole at your local bookstore or here: https://amzn.to/3elEVMQ
Questions in the Interview
1. I know they always say, don't judge a book by it's cover, but this one is gorgeous! I love the colors and symbolism. Did you get any say in this process and are you happy with how it turned out?
2. This book takes place in the 1980's and a lot of the music of the time period finds its way into the story. I was a child of the late 80's and early 90's and this was such a fun element of the story for me. Was music important to you growing up, just like it is for your main character Reha? (P.S. the mixed tape scene brought back so many memories and was one of my favorites!)
3. I'm going to try hard to avoid a spoiler with this question - I know that in addition to being an author, you are also a doctor (and many other things!). Doctors and medical knowledge play an important role in this book and in the author's note you mention working with another doctor to help you understand medicine during the 1980's. I also know that students who are listening may have had to do research for a school project and often times, we turn to books or the computer to help us. Can you tell us a little bit about working with Dr. Amrein how you used interviewing as a research tool?
4. There are so many layers to this book. Cultures, parental relationships, first crushes, friendship, greif, religion, and myths. How did you decide which layers and details to include in your story?
5. You do an amazing job of including all five senses in this story... in it I experienced songs, color, food, emotions, texture, smells. Many times I felt like I was right there next to Reha. What advice would you give a young writer trying to make their writing pop with these kinds of meaningful details?
Scoop up a FREE motivational quote poster set for your classroom here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
Check out all of my educational resources in my virtual city WordNerdopolis’ school! www.amandazieba.com/school
And finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd!
** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories.
Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **
#mglit #novelinverse #redwhiteandwhole #rajanilarocca #newberyaward #readingrecommendations #indianamerican #poetrymonth #sickmom
Book Blurb: Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked—Reha means “star” and Punam means “moon”—but they are a universe apart. Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick. Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life.
Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
Interactive Student Engagement Worksheets for the entire First Chapter Friday Video Series - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Student-Engagement-Worksheets-Full-Year-7158141
Grab your copy of Red, White and Whole at your local bookstore or here: https://amzn.to/3elEVMQ
Questions in the Interview
1. I know they always say, don't judge a book by it's cover, but this one is gorgeous! I love the colors and symbolism. Did you get any say in this process and are you happy with how it turned out?
2. This book takes place in the 1980's and a lot of the music of the time period finds its way into the story. I was a child of the late 80's and early 90's and this was such a fun element of the story for me. Was music important to you growing up, just like it is for your main character Reha? (P.S. the mixed tape scene brought back so many memories and was one of my favorites!)
3. I'm going to try hard to avoid a spoiler with this question - I know that in addition to being an author, you are also a doctor (and many other things!). Doctors and medical knowledge play an important role in this book and in the author's note you mention working with another doctor to help you understand medicine during the 1980's. I also know that students who are listening may have had to do research for a school project and often times, we turn to books or the computer to help us. Can you tell us a little bit about working with Dr. Amrein how you used interviewing as a research tool?
4. There are so many layers to this book. Cultures, parental relationships, first crushes, friendship, greif, religion, and myths. How did you decide which layers and details to include in your story?
5. You do an amazing job of including all five senses in this story... in it I experienced songs, color, food, emotions, texture, smells. Many times I felt like I was right there next to Reha. What advice would you give a young writer trying to make their writing pop with these kinds of meaningful details?
Scoop up a FREE motivational quote poster set for your classroom here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
Check out all of my educational resources in my virtual city WordNerdopolis’ school! www.amandazieba.com/school
And finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd!
** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories.
Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **
#mglit #novelinverse #redwhiteandwhole #rajanilarocca #newberyaward #readingrecommendations #indianamerican #poetrymonth #sickmom