Imagine moving to a country, where you have to start your life all over again, learn a new language and try to fit in. And I think this is more difficult for children moving into a new school system in a new country. You may be the best student in your school back home but things might be different in the new place. You may feel like a fish in a big ocean.
Well here, I am going to talk about a book I read over the weekend. The book “ Save me a seat” by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan is about two 5th grade boys and their perspectives about school and life.
Ravi is a new student at Albert Einstein School in New Jersey. He had moved to New Jersey from Bangalore India, he has trouble making friends and gets made fun of for his accent. Things get worse when he is the only Indian at school and has to get special help for his English.
On the other hand, Joe, a boy with APD (auditory processing disorder), a sensory disorder also has trouble making friends and is always made fun of for his appearance and his mom being a lunch monitor. Joe is also bullied by the mean kid Dillon Sumreen. This story is about friendship, family, immigration, cultural acceptance, bullying, empathy, and kindness.
Why did I like the book so much you may ask? Well, this book is unique because it is written by two different authors and two parallel stories that have a common ending. The language is simple and has many humorous events. I can also relate to Ravi and his family. It feels like I have met and known the members of Ravi’s family. Ravi’s grandma whom he calls “Perriama” reminds me of my own Grandmother who is possessive and bossy sometimes. At the beginning of the story, it is clear that Ravi is very ambitious and always wants to be the winner. For example, in math class when he tries his best to show a math method from centuries ago but the teacher was not impressed and told him that this is America and he has to follow rules. During lunchtime the class bully Dillon Sumreen makes him eat meat which makes Ravi shocked as Ravi is a strict vegetarian. In the end, Ravi learns that winning is not everything.
He becomes friends with Joe at the end as Joe teaches him an important lesson of friendship. Everybody judged Joe and didn’t want to be his friend. Sometimes, there is more than what meets the eye. So Ravi discovers this at the end and finds a loyal friend.
After reading this book, I have developed more empathy for children who move into my school from other places. I have learned to treat others with kindness, not judge, and include everyone.
If you want to read this book, you can buy it on amazon, borrow it from the library or try audiobooks. Before I end this blog, I want to share my favorite quote from this book
Save Me A Seat is one of my all-time favorite books. You summarized it perfectly! Awesome job Janavi!!