Count Me In

Karina Chopra is a seventh-grade Indian American girl who lives with her family in Texas. Her grandfather, Papa, moves in with them and begins tutoring her in math while teaching her about their shared cultural heritage. A racist incident involving Papa affects Karina and her entire family. In the aftermath, Karina finds her voice through social media and begins speaking out against hate, connecting with others who have faced similar experiences. The story explores themes of family bonds, cultural identity, and standing up against prejudice. Through Karina's journey from math student to activist, the book addresses contemporary issues of racism and xenophobia while highlighting the power of community and speaking up for what's right.

Readers view Count Me In as a meaningful middle-grade story about confronting racism and hate. On Goodreads, the book holds a 4.26/5 rating from over 2,500 readers. Readers appreciate: - The authentic portrayal of Indian-American culture - Age-appropriate handling of serious topics - Strong family relationships - The emphasis on standing up against prejudice - Fast-paced storytelling Common criticisms: - Plot developments feel predictable - Some characters lack depth - The resolution wraps up too neatly Amazon reviewers (4.7/5 from 235 ratings) note the book works well for classroom discussions. Several teachers report their students connected with the characters and themes. "The friendship between Karina and Chris develops naturally and believably," writes one Goodreads reviewer. Another mentions "the balance between serious topics and lighter moments keeps it accessible for young readers." Critics on Common Sense Media (4/5 stars) suggest the book sometimes oversimplifies complex issues but praise its overall message of unity.

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📚 Author Varsha Bajaj moved from Mumbai, India to the United States as an adult, giving her firsthand experience with the immigrant perspective she writes about in the novel. 🎨 The book tackles themes of hate crimes and racism through the eyes of middle school students, inspired by real incidents of violence against Indian Americans following 9/11. 🌟 "Count Me In" was named to multiple state reading lists, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List 2020-21 and the Rhode Island Middle School Book Award list. 🎭 The story features Indian classical dance as an important cultural element, specifically the dance form Kathak, which helps bridge understanding between different characters. 📝 Bajaj wrote the first draft of the novel in just six weeks, though she spent much more time revising and refining the story before publication.