Good morning lovelies!
I am proud to share with you today's stop on the In the Key of Nira Ghani Blog Tour, hosted by HBG Canada. I read this one last month, and it surprised me how much I enjoyed it.
Tour Schedule:
Book Details:
Title: In the Key of Nira Ghani
Author: Natasha Deen
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Release Date: April 9th, 2019
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary
Synopsis:
Nira Ghani has always dreamed of becoming a musician. Her Guyanese parents, however, have big plans for her to become a scientist or doctor. Nira's grandmother and her best friend, Emily, are the only people who seem to truly understand her desire to establish an identity outside of the one imposed on Nira by her parents. When auditions for jazz band are announced, Nira realizes it's now or never to convince her parents that she deserves a chance to pursue her passion.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.
Q & A with Author:
Kat asked: Would you like "In the Key of Nira Ghani" to ever become a movie? Why or Why not?
Goodness, that’s a great question! The answer is yes. It would be wonderful to see Nira as a movie, for a few reasons.
Not that I’m at **all** biased (cue laughter) but I love Nira’s story. I love everything it has to say about pursuing your dreams, honoring your heritage, and finding the quiet to hear voices other than your own. I’m up for Nira in many mediums—movies, plays, radio broadcast. Ha! Can you imagine a video game with Nira? She’s being chased by Grandma, who insists on giving her tea and feeding her and players can level up by avoiding Uncle Raj. :P
I’m also a visual person and there are a lot of stories that I can’t read because they just don’t engage me in literary form. But put those same stories in a visual form, and I can’t get enough! It would be wonderful to see Nira in movie format so story lovers who are more visual could have a chance to fall in love with her.
Of course, a movie Nira is different than a book Nira. With Nira’s story, as with all books, there’s a shift in the story-telling when we change mediums. How Nira tells her story on the page may not be the same way she tells the story in a visual form. Other characters, plot lines, and settings may also shift in order to better engage with the audience.
There would probably be changes to Nira’s story once we transition from page to screen. And that’s an exciting thing to consider—how the story essence stays while other factors shift. From a writer’s perspective, it’s a lovely thought experiment.
In the meantime, I’m grateful she’s on bookshelves, in the hands of readers, and I’m thankful I had a chance to tell her story.
My Review: 4.25/5 ⭐
In the Key of Nira Ghani is a contemporary novel following Nira, a Guyanese girl with a passion for music. Her parents do not approve of her talent, forcing her to take a stand against her parents, who she loves, for what she loves, playing her trumpet. And with a competitive cousin, Farah, and mean girl, McKenzie, trying to push their way into her friend group, and a new found crush on Noah, Nira begins feeling like an outsider among her closest friends. Nira must balance others expectations and her own plans in this culturally diverse story about growing up.
I really enjoyed this book, Nira was an easy character to connect with. The reader followed her struggles fitting in, and felt for her as people continued to disappoint her. The family dynamics were interesting, and more secrets were revealed as the story continued that drew the reader in. I have not read a book with a Guyanese main character before, so that was unique too. It is important to have books share these cultural and social topics, as diversity a key part of today's culture.
At times I did find Nira a bit passive, and there were a couple slow points in the story line, but it was a great quick read. Overall, contemporary fans will adore this sweet novel!
Review on Goodreads
Thank you HBG Canada for the opportunity to be apart of this blog tour!