The Power of Choice- Pashmina



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Chanani, N. (2017) Pashmina. New York, NY: First Second

Priyanka is a great artist and cartoonist.  That doesn't really save her from the troubles of being a teen raised by a single mom. When her uncle has a new baby, she starts to feel the loss of the attention she once took for granted.  When she finds a mysterious pashmina scarf in one her mom's old suitcases she doesn't think much of it.  When she puts it on though, it transports her to a beautiful, idealistic version of India.  She begins to withdraw from her family and escape into this colorful India within the pashima.  After begging her mom to let her go to India, she finally gets her way.  In India she gets a rude awakening.  It's not the India of her visions.  There is much hardship mixed in with all the beauty.  After tracking down the origins of her pashmina, she finds the magic within is designed to show women the power of their choices.  She goes home a changed person, determined to continue the work of the pashmina in her own way.

Chanani's storytelling is amazing.  The switch between black and white of reality and the color of Priyanka's visions is very striking, moving, and really sets the mood.  The underlying themes involving empowering women are moving and important to spread.  A very good read for teens, girls, and anyone who cares about them.

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