Reviewed by jnkay01 on
Also, I've read so many thrillers that could have benefited from studying how Satyal built suspense for a sixth-grade talent show here.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 18 March, 2021: Finished reading
- 18 March, 2021: Reviewed
Blue Boy
by Rakesh Satyal
Satyal's lovely coming-of-age debut charts an Indian-American boy's transformation from mere mortal to Krishnaji, the blue-skinned Hindu deity. Twelve-year-old Kiran Sharma's a bit of an outcast: he likes ballet and playing with his mother's makeup. He also reveres his Indian heritage and convinces himself that the reason he's having trouble fitting in is because he's actually the 10th reincarnation of Krishnaji. He plans to come out to the world at the 1992 Martin Van Buren Elementary School talent show, and much of the book revels in his comical preparations as he creates his costume, plays the flute and practices his dance moves to a Whitney Houston song. But as the performance approaches, something strange happens: Kiran's skin begins to turn blue. Satyal writes with a graceful ease, finding new humor in common awkward pre-teen moments and giving readers a delightful and lively young protagonist.
Also, I've read so many thrillers that could have benefited from studying how Satyal built suspense for a sixth-grade talent show here.