Customer Reviews

Secret Keeper

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Asha is the second daughter in a very traditional in a Bengali family in the 1970's. There are riot and jobs are hard to find. Asha's father is forced to go to America in order to find a job. Her sister Reet, her mother, and herself are going to Calcutta; They are going to live with her father's family. In Calcutta, Asia is trapped in her Grandmother's house. She is unable to go to school, because of lack of money. Her mother finds it disrespectful for her to go outside of the house, on her own. So her freedom is limited.
Asha finds relief in writing in her diary or as she calls it, her Secret Keeper. She tends to write on the roof, until she find out that her neighbor, Jay has been spying on her. He wants to paint her. Asha's sister, Reet has caught the attention of the young men in town. Many are their cousin's Raj's friends. Asha and her family are left with difficult decisions that would alter their life's.
I found this book to be well descriptive. The characters drew a hole in my heart from how life like they were and how the ending wasn't exactly what I wants. It was still amazing. If you want to discover a book, that will pull your heart strings and makes you wonder... How much would you sacrifice to save someone that you loved? It also was great at making Asha and It seem like real sisters. I really hope that you check this book out.

Mitali Perkins has done it again--but this time with an added depth and poignancy. Secret Keeper introduces twists of intrigue and surprise, along with real-world issues and emotion that resonate with readers of all cultures. This is not just for young adults--all ages will appreciate Perkins' way with words and her grasp of subtle nuance. Cross-cultural richness and great writing--I see "screenplay" written all over this!

I have been on a huge YA kick lately -- it's like I just discovered a whole new genre that I absolutely adore. And I feel really lucky because all the YA books that I've read recently have been terrific. SECRET KEEPER by Mitali Perkins is no exception. I thought this was a very well-written novel with a very interesting story.

SECRET KEEPER takes place in India in the mid-70s when India is going through a huge state of change. I really appreciated how the author incorporated some of India's political history and other pertinent cultural pieces into the book. I love learning about foreign countries and their customs, and I'm pretty sure that young girls will enjoy that part of this novel too. Much of what Asha and her sister Reet experience in this novel will seem very odd to American girls who live in current times; however, what I truly loved about this novel is that young girls will still be able to relate to these characters. The feeling that Asha has about boys and becoming a woman are universal themes to all teen girls.

And speaking of characters, I couldn't help but fall in love with Asha and Reet. While both girls were very different, they had a love that can only be shared between sisters. I think they were brought closer by their father's departure and their mother's depression, and I liked that they confided in and unconditionally supported each other. Many of the supporting characters were also wonderful, and I especially liked their cousin and Asha's love interest Jay. These two characters especially were some of the only positive things in these girls' lives.

Asha was definitely my favorite character in this novel. She was a strong, brave, and intelligent; yet she also was able to give of herself to the point of self-sacrifice. I loved how the author showed that she had issues with "becoming a women" and even challenged what was expected of her. There were many times in this novel where my heart just broke for her; however, I always felt that she was ultimately a survivor and things would turn out okay for her.

Since I'm haven't been a big reader (or even follower) of YA fiction, I wasn't familiar with Ms. Perkins' books. She has written quite a few other ones that look great like THE NOT-SO-STAR-SPANGLED LIFE OF SUNITA SEN and RICKSHAW GIRL which both fall into the age range of my almost 10 year old daughter. In addition, I think FIRST DAUGHTER: EXTREME AMERICAN MAKEOVER and FIRST DAUGHTER: WHITE HOUSE RULES look like part of a fantastic series. If SECRET KEEPER is any indication of her previous books, I definitely want to read them. Ms. Perkins also has a great website that you should really check out.

This book would make a wonderful selection for our mother-daughter book club. The book is geared towards 12 year old and up, our girls will have to wait a few more years; however, I think young teen girls will really enjoy this story. There are so many complicated themes to discuss such as mother/daughter relationships, relationships between sisters, issues between men and women, and even friendship and love. And even though the book takes place over 30 years ago and in a foreign country, there are still so many things that young girls will relate to.

Mitali Perkins' SECRET KEEPER tells of Indian girl Asha and her older sister and mother, whose father leaves India to look for work in America. The women come under the jurisdiction of an uncle with all kinds of ramifications as Ma struggles with personal depression and her mother- and sister-in-law, Reet's beauty attracts unwelcome suitors, and Asha herself can't seem to hold the family together. A final novel of politics and personal courage set in India in the 1970s makes for an involving story.

Times are tough in 1974 India. Poor people line the streets begging for money, and jobs are scarce. Sixteen-year-old Asha Gupta and her family are affected as well. Asha's father is out of work, and with no prospects looming, he decides to go to America to get a job. While he is away, Asha, her older sister Reet and their mother live with relatives in Calcutta.

Asha's uncle, aunt, grandmother and older cousin don't seem very happy to see them; only the younger twins are excited by their arrival. But with three extra mouths to feed, plus more bodies crowding the house, Asha can understand their resentment a little. What she can't seem to wrap her head around are the very strict cultural rules Calcutta insists upon, which are much more stringent than in the city of Delhi where she was born. She can't even walk down the street by herself. Stuck in the house day after day, loneliness gnaws on Asha's nerves, as does the lack of privacy. She makes her way up to the rooftop to pour out her heart in her journal. There she can confide her secrets, such as the devastation she feels at having to drop out of school, giving up her dream of studying psychiatry in college, and how she and her sister try to fight her mother's deep depression.

Then she meets the fellow next door. Jay is a bit strange, and for the longest time he would watch Asha through the curtains while she sat on the roof. Then they start talking, something else forbidden by her culture. Asha learns that Jay is an artist, and he wants to paint Asha. They become friends, forbidden ones, and Asha begins to feel even more for him. But then things go from bad to worse in the Gupta household. Asha's uncle starts looking to make wedding arrangements for Reet, and Asha is afraid for her sister. Asha boldly makes some rash decisions in hopes of keeping Reet safe and happy. These choices will change everyone's lives forever.

Mitali Perkins is no stranger to adjusting to various cultures, as she has traveled all over the world. Nor is she a stranger to writing awesome young adult fiction, and she has given us another winner with SECRET KEEPER. This touching story pulls the audience in and doesn't let go, as the pages slip away swiftly and easily. The character of Asha quickly becomes a friend to admire, sympathize with and applaud. Readers will get a taste of the Indian culture --- some of its food, clothes and rules for society --- and will see that teenagers of other cultures aren't so different, with needs for privacy and friendship, dreams for careers and the future, caring for family and longing for freedom. Perkins also offers an unexpected, and thus rather refreshing, ending to her enchanting story. Fans will look forward to more novels from this talented author.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

Asha and Reet are two sisters living in India in the 1970's. They are opposites in that Asha is tomboyish and bookish, while Reet is so gorgeous that lovesick boys follow her around and throw flowers her way. Their father is in New York, looking to secure a job so that he can bring his family over to the States. In the meantime, Asha, Reet and their mother live with their conservative relatives. It's an uncomfortable living situation when Reet has dreams of freedom, playing ball, and becoming a psychologist--she desires to fulfill goals her relatives disagree with. Reet is strong and determined in making things right when tragedy strikes and she drifts apart from her sister. This novel enraptured me, taking my imagination to another time and place as I became fully engaged with the characters.

The best part about this book is the descriptive language that Perkins uses throughout. Everything is so lush and easy to feel or visualize. At the same time, she doesn't coddle her readers, most of whom aren't familiar with 1970s Indian dress and customs; she does not go to great lengths to spell everything out. Because she lets you kind of figure things out for yourself as you go along (with the help of a glossary of Indian words at the back of the book) there were no obtrusive info-dumps to pull you out of the story. Some people may want more description of the customs and traditions acted out in the book, but I was happy to get on with the story!

Asha is young and chafing in her girl-hood. She had a pretty free and open childhood, learning how to do things like play tennis and cricket, but all of that stopped when she got her period and she had to become a proper young lady. Further restrictions are placed on her and Reet when they move to Uncle's house. The contrast of their lives inside the house (always inside the house) to that of her male cousin Raj is pointed, both to the reader and to Asha. Watching Asha come in to her own and start to make decisions for her family in this environment is all the more amazing. Because the story centers around this aspect of Asha's life, as well as how her growing confidence can or cannot save her sister and mother, I think that this would make a great middle grade read as well.

I really enjoyed Secret Keeper and look forward to reading more of Mitali Perkins' books in the future!

Book source: Philly Free Library

Secret Keeper is a coming-of-age novel set in the 1970s that tells the story of Asha, an Indian girl. Asha and her sister are teenagers when their father moves to the United States in search of work. The two girls along with their mother move in with extended family until Baba finds work and they can join him in America. Tension is high under her uncle's roof, relationships are strained and money is slipping away fast with more mouths to feed. Asha's family lives by strict cultural traditions that suppress her personality and dreams. With each new circumstance and decision the anticipated move to America seems more like a dream and less like reality.

Perkins immerses the reader in Indian culture. This novel teaches the traditions and customs that teenage girls live by. Although aspects of life for young women in India are far different from that of American girls, readers can easily connect with Asha as she matures into womanhood, develops relationships and searches for her place in society.

One nitpick for this novel: a slow beginning. The first half of the book drug by. The story was off to a somber start which made the early chapters seem dull and dreary. I wish some of the action and liveliness of the later chapters could have made an earlier entrance.

Secret Keeper is a good choice for those who enjoy stories set in different cultures. This book is a good choice if you have ever had to let go of a dream or if you have had to except something for yourself that is less than you desire. Read Secret Keeper for a tale of one girl's journey through an uncertain and sometimes awkward time in her life.

Usually, I'm drawn into a book in the first paragraph however, Secret Keeper did it with the cover. I wanted to like this book before I even began it. And I was not disappointed.

We meet Asha (nicknamed Osh) leaving Delhi on the train with her mother and sister. Her father has lost his job and until he can send for his wife and children to join him in America, they must live with his family in Calcutta. Asha does not want to go as she has always felt friction from her uncle and grandmother. Yet, when she arrives she is respectful and courteous as tradition requires. Asha, her sister Reet and her mother give the proper greeting to their in-laws in quite the appropriate manner and grandmother responds by criticizing Asha's thin shape and complimenting Reet's well developed figure.

The family's stay with in-laws becomes a bit longer than expected. It becomes long enough for Asha to develop a secret relationship with the boy next door and for Uncle to arrange a marriage for Reet. The girls develop many skills during this time such as learning new card games, telling stories to their little cousins, managing the household staff and learning the etiquette of courtship.

Through Perkin's skillful techniques, we learn of the many traditions, foods, clothing and practices in a changing 1970s India as they unfold smoothly in the story. Issues such as education for women, filial duty and one's place in society are just of the few aspects of India that we see beginning to change in this story. We learn what it means to be a woman in India, and the importance of beauty and duty in maintaining one's proper place. Asha, her sister and cousin are coming of age on the cusp of change in India. In the background, we hear the political situation and what a change in leadership could mean to this embryonic democracy. We know that these young people do not seem to want the same life as their parent's generation, yet we see them honor tradition as they struggle for a new type of freedom. As Americans, we may not realize how difficult it can be to change the way things have always been done, actions that are based on beliefs and traditions. I think Perkins gives us a reason to cherish the past as much as she gives us reason to move forward. What a fine balancing act!

Writing a "historical" novel isn't so easy (and yes, setting the novel in 1974 means it's historical fiction). You must make sure that your references to the 1970s are just enough to ground the novel in the time but don't overwhelm the reader, especially young girls who aren't necessarily reading for historical knowledge! Mitali also has the tough task of writing about Indian culture; again, another theme with which she has to strike the right balance. She succeeds with both. Asha, her older sister Reet and Mom head to Dad's family home when Dad travels to America, looking for work. The novel, told from young Asha's point of view, chronicles how tough this is, waiting and living with relatives who scrutinize every action and word. This is a fascinating, wonderful read, for girls and boys of any culture. And while Asha finds her way in the end, things aren't wrapped up nice and neat. Which is good. This would make a great mom-daughter book group book. What are the sacrifices Asha makes? And could YOU do what she does?