msvenner's review
4.0
I waffled between 3 and 4 stars. I liked this. It was realistic fiction, looking at Nora's life in an immigrant family and trying to find her path in life, not necessarily the same image as that of her family. The story was very relatable and well written. Some interesting language and prose choices, which I appreciated. This is a 2020 Red Maple nominee.
lberestecki's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gotathingforthings's review against another edition
4.0
In the Key of Nira Ghani is an ownvoices story following a Guyanese teen who is caught between her parents expectations and her own wishes to be a musician. At the same time her best friend is pulling away from her, and why is the cute popular guy Noah suddenly talking to her?
(laughing at my attempt to write a synopsis without actually writing the synopsis)
In the Key of Nira Ghani has real characters which I felt were written really well. I love how Nira is such a teenager, with all her insecurities and dreams. I loved her family and how everything could be fixed with a cup of tea. All the characters has different sides and I felt for them all.
In my opinion the ending was the weakest part of the story, it wasn’t really executed well and I thought that it could have been more developed. There were also some relationships I wished we could have seen more of: Noah & Nira, Nira’s family vs. Farah’s family (and if they ever found out her uncle’s secret), Mac & Emily! I hope we actually get a sequel because there is a lot left to explore!
More thoughts can be found my full video review: https://youtu.be/bBd66vwYpWI
3.5/5 stars! Would recommend if you want a diverse and nice contemporary.
(laughing at my attempt to write a synopsis without actually writing the synopsis)
In the Key of Nira Ghani has real characters which I felt were written really well. I love how Nira is such a teenager, with all her insecurities and dreams. I loved her family and how everything could be fixed with a cup of tea. All the characters has different sides and I felt for them all.
In my opinion the ending was the weakest part of the story, it wasn’t really executed well and I thought that it could have been more developed. There were also some relationships I wished we could have seen more of: Noah & Nira, Nira’s family vs. Farah’s family (and if they ever found out her uncle’s secret), Mac & Emily! I hope we actually get a sequel because there is a lot left to explore!
More thoughts can be found my full video review: https://youtu.be/bBd66vwYpWI
3.5/5 stars! Would recommend if you want a diverse and nice contemporary.
thegraduatedbookwormblogger's review
4.0
Full Review can be found at Http://www.thegraduatedbookworm.com
First, I'd like to thank Hachette Books Canada for sending me a copy in exchange for a review! Honestly, this book was so hilarious and light-hearted, I really was sucked in from the first page!
Right from the beginning you get drawn into Nira and her family and life. It's no secret that she comes from a family that's not the "ordinary" family you would normally see, however, she definitely tries to make it more of a normal life experience now that her family moved to Canada... Even if it doesn't always work out in her favour.
Growing up, I could totally relate to Nira in some ways, because we all just want to fit in. We all want to be part of the "cool crowd" even if that's not who we are inside. We all want to look into the mirror and be happy with the clothes we have, even if what everyone else has seems to be even better. The relationship that she also has with her family--Especially her grandmother!-- you can relate to in any family. Although the amount of diversity that's within the novel is amazing, when you come down to it, anyone can relate to this book from something. I personally loved the fact that her story wasn't like the rest. It played on a diverse family, and definitely a unique one at that, and it was really enjoyable!
Overall, this was a pretty great read! I really loved the multitude of characters, backgrounds, and the fact that some of the characters straight up told Nira what's up. She really grew from the beginning to end, and I think this is definitely a book that's worth reading!
First, I'd like to thank Hachette Books Canada for sending me a copy in exchange for a review! Honestly, this book was so hilarious and light-hearted, I really was sucked in from the first page!
Right from the beginning you get drawn into Nira and her family and life. It's no secret that she comes from a family that's not the "ordinary" family you would normally see, however, she definitely tries to make it more of a normal life experience now that her family moved to Canada... Even if it doesn't always work out in her favour.
Growing up, I could totally relate to Nira in some ways, because we all just want to fit in. We all want to be part of the "cool crowd" even if that's not who we are inside. We all want to look into the mirror and be happy with the clothes we have, even if what everyone else has seems to be even better. The relationship that she also has with her family--Especially her grandmother!-- you can relate to in any family. Although the amount of diversity that's within the novel is amazing, when you come down to it, anyone can relate to this book from something. I personally loved the fact that her story wasn't like the rest. It played on a diverse family, and definitely a unique one at that, and it was really enjoyable!
Overall, this was a pretty great read! I really loved the multitude of characters, backgrounds, and the fact that some of the characters straight up told Nira what's up. She really grew from the beginning to end, and I think this is definitely a book that's worth reading!
jennrid's review
4.0
A moving YA novel about complicated family relationships, finding your voice, first generation immigrants combined with a strong voice and a bit of humor. While I was in tears at the end, In the Key of Nira Ghani was a hopeful read.
t_stre's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
heykellyjensen's review
Nira and her family are Guyanese-Canadians, and her father is especially strict about the sort of upbringing and career he wants for his daughter. They've survived a big immigration, and now with opportunities to excel, Nira is expected to become a doctor. She doesn't want this though -- she wants to become a musician, and trying out for the high school band is the first step in the process. She doesn't have parental permission, and she doesn't have a "real" trumpet to play, but she wants it anyway. .
Big themes in this book also include friendship and family secrets. Nira struggles with a shift in her friendship with bestie Emily, and also shows how she finds a way to connect with her cousin Farah, who she's always felt distanced from. Nira being brown in a town where she's one of two brown young people is challenging, and that's not shied away from in the text at all.
There's a lot of good stuff here, but I found the writing to be underwhelming. Nira's voice reads really young for someone old enough to get a job, and frankly, this actually makes perfect sense in context of how she's been raised. It'll appeal especially to younger YA readers. What didn't work, though, was that this passion for music and performance doesn't really pick up until page 200 of the 300 page book. The first 200 pages meander a bit too much and don't show her passion and investment in this future as much as they could. This made the first third of the book drag, especially as some of the secondary characters become interchangeable. Nira is judgmental, and this is part of her growth arc, but it's that judgement that also forces her to see people as so one-dimensional . . . which translates to flat for the reader experience.
I did dig the way finances played a part in the story. Nira is forced to play a cheaper trumpet, and clothing -- what she can and cannot buy -- is a big deal. She can't wear brands because she doesn't have the money for it (this is great, but unfortunately, is one of the things in the story that drags down pacing and investment in her dreams a little too much in the beginning of the book). The struggles of an immigrant family building anew really shines.
Spoiler
When she doesn't make the band, she learns she needs to leap and make her wings on the fall down, rather than hope someone takes pity on her; this encourages her to play publicly and lands her a sweet little music gig on the side.Big themes in this book also include friendship and family secrets. Nira struggles with a shift in her friendship with bestie Emily, and also shows how she finds a way to connect with her cousin Farah, who she's always felt distanced from. Nira being brown in a town where she's one of two brown young people is challenging, and that's not shied away from in the text at all.
There's a lot of good stuff here, but I found the writing to be underwhelming. Nira's voice reads really young for someone old enough to get a job, and frankly, this actually makes perfect sense in context of how she's been raised. It'll appeal especially to younger YA readers. What didn't work, though, was that this passion for music and performance doesn't really pick up until page 200 of the 300 page book. The first 200 pages meander a bit too much and don't show her passion and investment in this future as much as they could. This made the first third of the book drag, especially as some of the secondary characters become interchangeable. Nira is judgmental, and this is part of her growth arc, but it's that judgement that also forces her to see people as so one-dimensional . . . which translates to flat for the reader experience.
I did dig the way finances played a part in the story. Nira is forced to play a cheaper trumpet, and clothing -- what she can and cannot buy -- is a big deal. She can't wear brands because she doesn't have the money for it (this is great, but unfortunately, is one of the things in the story that drags down pacing and investment in her dreams a little too much in the beginning of the book). The struggles of an immigrant family building anew really shines.
amberinpieces's review against another edition
5.0
I finished In the Key of Nira Ghani at 2 am. It’s such a moving, witty, dream-filled book about finding oneself and one’s people, and I found it highly relatable.
skundrik87's review against another edition
4.0
That's a tear-jerker. Also, pocket trumpets are cute!
readtotheend's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is a wonderful #ownvoices YA book about a Guyanese family that has immigrated to Canada. There's so much I could personally relate to in this book and a teen advocating to do things that are outside the expectations of parents is one that hit really hard. It's also very hard to advocate for yourself when there is also a language barrier as well. Grandma was my favorite character and her presence and her tea really brought a necessary calmness into this family's life. It really resonated to me as the reader as well. There is so much tackled in this book from financial struggles of a teen who wants to fit in to getting along with cousins to watching friends have other friends. Even though so much was covered, it never felt like too much. So well done. I read this in one sitting. Highly recommend!