RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Paperback

Red, White, and Whole by Padma Venkatraman is a poignant and beautifully written novel in verse that tells the story of Reha, an Indian American teenager navigating the complexities of adolescence in 1983. The book captures Reha's dual existence—trying to fit in with her American friends at school while adhering to her parents' traditional Indian expectations at home. Her world is thrown into turmoil when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia, forcing Reha to confront difficult questions about identity, illness, and the bonds of family. Through lyrical poetry, the novel explores themes of love, loss, cultural identity, and the resilience of the human spirit as Reha grapples with profound grief and the challenges of bridging two distinct cultures.