RAAGA'S SONG

A young Indian girl struggles to find her voice and courage in the face of uncertainty.

Raaga loves to sing and to listen to her grandfather’s stories. She especially loves hearing about the origins of Diwali, a holiday that honors Lord Rama’s victorious return to his kingdom after vanquishing the demon Ravana. Raaga, whose name means melody, hopes to conquer her own fears of singing in front of an audience at the Royal Palace on Diwali. While unkind comments about her dark skin made her shy away in the past, this year Raaga feels brave enough to try. Encouraged by her grandfather and her faith in Lord Rama, she practices every day, building up an admiring audience. On the day of the audition, Raaga is unnerved by mean-spirited comments from the judges. As her courage falters, her friends cheer her on, and she proves herself. Laudably, Chhabria highlights a young girl’s insecurities in the face of colorism as well as the power of loved ones and one’s faith. However, the narrative, which appears to be set in olden times, also includes a few modern touches that feel jarring. The author’s attempts to draw parallels between Raaga’s voice and Lord Rama’s arrow and army seem forced. Though a bit static, the illustrations feature people of many different hues of brown; effective use of contrasting color reflects Raaga’s budding confidence. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A celebratory tale that doesn’t quite hit the mark.