By Colorado Kids Advisory Board member Vidya Ravilochan

Title:Monsoon Summer
Author: Mitali Perkins
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Number of Pages: 257

Falling in love and suddenly having to leave to India isn't a great way to spend the summer holidays…or so Jazz Gardner thinks in Monsoon Summer by Mitali Perkins.

This tale begins in Berkeley, California, told through the eyes of Jasmine "Jazz" Gardner. Jazz's mother wants to volunteer at the Indian orphanage where she was abandoned as a baby, but going to India isn't Jazz's idea of a great summer vacation. Jazz is also unhappy at the prospect of leaving behind the business she and her best friend, Steve, started, and also leaving Steve himself. Jazz is madly in love with him but doesn't think he would ever like her. However, Jazz befriends Danita, a girl at the orphanage who cooks for the Gardners, and who has a much bigger problem. Danita helps Jazz realize what kind of a person she really is; one who can make a difference for the orphans and maybe even to Steve. But Jazz still has worries. Will Steve ever like Jazz? Can Danita find a way out of her dilemma? Read Monsoon Summer to find out!

This was a very enjoyable read for me. One thing I enjoyed was the writing. Perkins approaches the characters very well, by showing what they are feeling and who they really are rather than just telling. Perkins also does a great job changing Jazz by building her confidence through Danita. At first Jazz is a person who looks at the half-filled glass as half-empty. However, by the end of the book she has completely changed.
There were only two glitches to Monsoon Summer; although this is one book, there were two stories. Jazz going to India and befriending Danita was one, but there was also Jazz going to India and wondering what do to about her feelings about Steve. Also, the book kept switching from fleeting inspirational moments to Jazz's brooding over Steve; from one story to the next.

I would recommend this book to anyone age 10-15 because someone younger would probably not understand the plot very well. However, there is a book called Blue Jasmine that is similar to Monsoon Summer. If you are age 9-13, you would definitely enjoy Blue Jasmine. But keep your eyes peeled for Monsoon Summer-it's one whirlwind of a read! (February, 2005)