Hope in the Valley

⭐ "Deeply compelling . . . A riveting, courage-filled story." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review ⭐ "A moving novel that will resonate and linger with readers long after the last beautiful page." ~ School Library Journal , starred review ⭐ “Employing Pandu’s lilting voice and quiet bravery, Perkins crafts an introspective novel about moving on from loss and finding the courage to fight for what one believes in.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review ⭐ "Many books advocate for listening carefully to people of opposing views while following one's own beliefs, but few do it better than Mitali Perkins' exceptional Hope in the Valley." ~ BookPage, starred review ⭐ "The story is set in the summer of 1980 in Silicon Valley, California, before the tech boom. It is a place on the cusp, much like the story’s protagonist, who finds herself compelled by memories of her past; the complex and fascinating history she uncovers; and possibilities for the future of her town, her family, and herself. " — The Horn Book, starred review Twelve-year-old Indian-American Pandita Paul doesn't like change. She's not ready to start middle school and leave the comforts of childhood behind. Most of all, Pandita doesn't want to feel like she's leaving her mother, who died a few years ago, behind. After a falling out with her best friend, Pandita is planning to spend most of her summer break reading and writing in her favorite secret the abandoned but majestic mansion across the street. But then the unthinkable happens. The town announces that the old home will be bulldozed in favor of new―maybe affordable―housing. With her family on opposing sides of the issue, Pandita must find her voice―and the strength to move on―in order to give her community hope.