Lowji Discovers America Book

(Booklist) "BUMMER!"- is 9-year-old Lowji's reaction to his parent's announcement that they will be moving from Bombay, India to an apartment in tiny Hamlet, Illinois. It's summer, in Hamlet, the local kids are hard to meet, and Lowji longs for a pet to keep him company. Then he cleverly persuades crotchety, overworked landlady Crisp that animals could help with the chores. Soon the building is home to a cat that keeps mice under control, a dog that substitutes for a burglar alarm, and goats that keep the grass short. Delighted, Lowji helps care for the menagerie of pets and, in the process, begins to form new neighborhood friendships. Details about Indian culture (an appended glossary defines terms) and Lowji's Zoroastrian religion are purposefully inserted, as are a few moments when Lowji finds common ground with his new neighbors. But, through Lowji's mostly age-appropriate voice, Fleming tells a gentle, effective story about the loneliness and bewilderment that come with moving, and her brisk, lively sentences make this a good choice for readers gaining confidence with chapter books.

Comments -
This book was published in 2005 and was ahead of its time. In the past several years there has definitely been an influx of immigrants coming to US cities as well as smaller towns like the imaginary "Hamlet," IL. Here in Schaumburg, IL the population of Asian students in public schools is about 54%. I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the Indian culture and religion. I had never head of Zoroastrian before, and Lowji's Indian American dictionary at the end of the book is delightful. Lowji's learning of "Americanisms" like "on the Fritz" and mix of Indian and American expressions such as King the dog smelling "like the Ganges River on a hot summer day" add humor. I liked the fact that Lowji is a gentle, respectful boy who learns to deal with disappointment while still looking for silver linings. That made his "more silver" ending even more satisfying.

This book is aimed at younger readers and would be best for 3rd grade and up. It would most likely appeal to boys rather than girls. There is no inappropriate language or behavior in this book.