Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet by Kashmira Sheth

Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet by Kashmira Sheth

Now, I know it's wrong to judge a book by its cover, but seriously, this cover is too gorgeous to resist. (and interestingly, both Little Willow and TadMack have been discussing covers recently)

Jeeta, at 16, is the youngest of three sisters growing up in Mumbai, India. She watches as her mother arranges marriages for her two older sisters. She has always assumed that such a match would be made for her as well (though her mother has always told her that because of her dark skin it will be harder to find a match for her). However, when she "meets" a boy at the neighborhood swimming pool, she begins to have different ideas. (And I put "meet" in quotes because she only talks to him once -- at least at first -- but I don't want to give anything away). Jeeta also deals with family problems (such as her oldest sister's marital difficulties).

In Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet, Sheth presents her readers with a glimpse into a foreign culture, while Jeeta's emotions will be immediately familiar to teen readers. I'm definitely looking forward to Sheth's next book!