Bringing Asha Home
Bringing Asha Home by Uma Krishnaswami, illustrations by Jamel Akib (Lee and Low Books, 2006)
On Rakhi Day, Arun wishes that he had a sister. In India, where his dad was born, sisters tie shiny bracelets on the wrists of their brothers. The bracelets are called rakhi too, just like the holiday. Brothers and sisters promise to be good to each other, and everyone eats special sweets. Arun is excited to learn that he will be getting a new baby sister. She isn’t coming from the hospital like his friend’s little sister; she is coming from India, and her name is Asha, which means “hope.” Arun and his family wait for many months and celebrate her birthday even though she is still on the other side of the world. When she finally arrives and Arun meets her at the airport, she has a special gift for her new brother.
