WELCOME BACK, MAPLE MEHTA-COHEN

Narrator Soneela Nankani creates a believable portrayal of a biracial Jewish-Indian girl who is grappling with dyslexia. Though she's intelligent and creative, 11-year-old Maple Mehta-Cohen has successfully hidden her inability to read from everyone. But her teacher finally notices and recommends that Maple repeat fifth grade. Nankani sympathetically portrays Maple's shame as she lies to her new fifth-grade classmates and continues trying to hide her reading difficulties. Nankani creates distinct voices for the adults and kids in Maple's life, conveying the kind concern of teachers, the open friendliness of classmates, and the snooty disregard of sixth-grade former friends. Listeners will relate to Maple's struggles with self-esteem as she comes to terms with her learning difference. S.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2022]