SAMIRA'S WORST BEST SUMMER

Rasha Zamamiri's husky voice and believable Indian accents fill this delectable YA audiobook with humor. Thirteen-year-old Indian American Sammy, who is Muslim, has plans for the two weeks her parents and older sister are in India: books, videos, and staying in her room. But her heavily accented, gregarious grandmother, Umma, turns Sammy's plans upside down. Through Umma, Sammy meets her chirpy 13-year-old neighbor, Alice, and others. Then the girls become roadies for the local garage band. Zamamiri imbues Sammy's neighborhood with the sounds of summer and the smells of Indian cooking emanating from Umma's kitchen. Sammy, Imran, Umma, and Alice make a bold team full of laughter and caring for each other. Zamamiri's performance is spot-on for Sammy's worst (best) summer. M.B.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2024]