Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

Rating: 5/5
Age R: 12+
Release Date: January 13, 2009
Synopsis:
Asha, her sister Reet, and her mother have to live with their father's family now because Baba (Indian word for father) has to try to find a job in New York which, as you know, is VERY far away from India. Hopefully he will write to them soon telling them he has got a job and will send for them because the three girls are having a hard time living with Baba's impossible family. Not only that but if Baba does not get a job soon, Asha's uncle will be forced to marry off Reet. Asha cannot let this happen especially if there's a possibility of her sister ending up married with a man that might beat her. :( There are so many problems in Asha's life and hopefully SK (Secret Keeper, her journal) will help her and maybe even Jay the nice boy living next door who she yearns to see even more and more but can't because if she were to be caught speaking with a BOY ..well, it wouldn't be good for her already messed up reputation.
Thoughts:
I am in love with this book. I would make out with it if it were a person. Seriously. I love it that much even though it broke my heart then stomped on it! hehe It really did do that though. I still loved it, I can't help myself. I love sad stories, I love great stories, I love really well-written stories and this book was just that. :)
You will find yourself liking Asha and feeling extremely sad for the situation she and her family are in. You will also be all giggly on the inside for her because of her relationship with Jay. I wish there was more development on that but I understand there couldn't be. Asha is not allowed to be talking to boys, especially a stranger who lives next door. What will people think?! If she were found out, she would be forbidden from ever speaking to Jay again so of course she doesn't want that.
I adored reading all about Asha and her strong self. She is living in 1974 India and things are really tough, especially for women since it's a male dominated society. Women in her day have no say and there's just no way they can do and act like males. That's completely frowned upon and so are many things in Asha's nature. As I read this book I learned quite a lot about Indian society and culture. I didn't know like certain words (there's a glossary on the back of the book that is very dandy) and how bad some women had it in 1974 India. I had also learned a lot about India from Vikas Swarup's Q&A so it was very interesting to read another Indian book. I just love reading about all kinds of cultures and this book did not disappoint. :D
I highly recommend you guys read this book, you will love it. Be prepared to be broken hearted, in a good way, if that makes sense. ;)

Quote/s:

Someone talking to Asha:
"You don't have to. Your feet are beautiful..."
But why were her cheeks so hot? Was it because this was the first time anybody had used the word "beautiful" when talking about her?

About a certain event:
It's like a fairy tale without a happy ending for any of the characters, she thought as she read "Cinderella" to her cousins.

Across the table, Ma's expression flickered and then faded, reminding Asha of how the small television screen at Kavita's house sometimes lost reception.

Sweetness:
You can read the first six pages here.
You can find this book cheaper here than in most places.


YOU WILL ENJOY READING THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE/ARE INTERESTED IN:
-Indian culture
-diaries
-death
-sisters
-friendship
-art
-family members that are a-holes
-tennis
-beauty
-love
-sad stories
-great stories
-1974 India
-women in a male dominated society
-a parent that is very selfish
-Mitali Perkins
-Mulan (Movie)