Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences.Today we are featuring In the Key of Nira Ghani by Natasha Deen.

As if fighting with her parents weren’t bad enough, Nira finds herself navigating a new friendship dynamic when her crush, Noah, and notorious mean-girl, McKenzie “Mac,” take a sudden interest in her and Emily, inserting themselves into the fold. So, too, does Nira’s much cooler (and very competitive) cousin Farah. Is she trying to wiggle her way into the new group to get closer to Noah? Is McKenzie trying to steal Emily’s attention away from her? As Farah and Noah grow closer and Emily begins to pull away, Nira’s trusted trumpet “George” remains her constant, offering her an escape from family and school drama.

But it isn’t until Nira takes a step back that she realizes she’s not the only one struggling to find her place in the world. As painful truths about her family are revealed, Nira learns to accept people for who they are and to open herself in ways she never thought possible.

A relatable and timely contemporary, coming-of age story, In the Key of Nira Ghani explores the social and cultural struggles of a teen in an immigrant household.

Rebecca’s Thoughts:

Nira Ghani’s voice pulled me right into her story. She’s funny and fully three-dimensional. It’s easy to empathize with both her struggles be the good daughter her parents want and her aspirations to fight for her own dreams.

I found it ironic that Nira feels invisible at school, where she’d love to make more of a mark, yet wishes she was more invisible at home, where the aspirations of her whole family fall heavily on her shoulders. Expectations are so high that every test grade and the use of every minute of her time is a topic of conversation.

The family’s Guyanese culture fills the book with warmth and color, from the arguments about buying bargain (but uncool) jeans versus when it’s reasonable to splurge on quality, to the tea Grandma makes to sooth every conflict. Nira’s emotions throughout are so genuine that anyone will be able to relate to their own family’s money battles and feel understood.

This book will be enjoyed by anyone who wants insight into an immigrant’s experience, who is passionate about music, or who can relate to the relationship challenges teens struggle with both at school and at home. Highly recommended.

In the Key of Nira Ghani will be released on April 9th. You can check it out on Goodreads or order from IndieBound, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

I requested an advanced reader copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Need more book suggestions? If In the Key of Nira Ghani sounds good, you might also like other young adult books discussed on The Winged Pen.

• Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
• Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan
• The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg
• What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper