Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel

Gr 9 Up–A sweet coming-of-age story with a dash of summer romance. Rani Deshpande is home for the summer after a difficult and lonely first year at an out-of-state ­college. She’s determined to start the next academic year at her transfer school in ­Seattle on the right foot and puts together a lofty summer checklist complete with a coveted research internship, quality time with her best friend, and finally taking her driving test. Unfortunately for Rani, the only person who is available to help her practice is Kush Khanna, a family friend and former crush. As the summer progresses, Rani must figure out how to juggle everything on her plate, including her rekindling feelings for Kush. While the ­storyline of Rani and Kush’s ­will-they-won’t-they relationship is a steady constant throughout the book, the real heart of this story is found in Rani’s personal growth. Readers learn why Rani became a college transfer student, a unique perspective in YA novels, and Avachat successfully conveys the pressure Rani feels to have these “perfect” collegiate summer experiences. Rani must also renegotiate her role in her Desi family. She has become the de facto third parent to her younger brothers, and Rani’s goals often clash with her parents’ expectations. Rani’s family is from Mumbai, Rani is trilingual, and references to Desi culture and Marathi dishes abound.