Hope in the Valley

I got Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins from the library after my sister recommended it. The book description says, "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 space: 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."

This was a great book! I stayed interested and really loved Pandita as a character and watching her wade through the various difficulties she was facing. I also really liked her friend Leo as a character. I thought the book came together really well in the end (happily ever after) and taught some good lessons. I enjoyed the read. It almost qualified as a loved it but not quite.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)