“ I began to feel that this city is my home. It came nearer to my heart, not so distant. That’s how it started, but now it’s different. I am enjoying making friends my age in my church-non-Bengali frien… Mitali Perkins
“ What counted was helping her father achieve his dream-and finding interesting stuff to put in her blog. Mitali Perkins
“ Masjid turns on the radio, and Rabindra Sangeet adds the perfect soundtrack to the scene: Por ke korile nikot bondhu—you bring the distant near. One of Baba’s favorites. Mitali Perkins
“ There's something about putting words on a page in private that makes me feel powerful in public. Mitali Perkins
“ Ma comes to stand beside me, and our intruder makes a clucking sound of disapproval. This one worries me, Ranee. She’s very secretive. Mitali Perkins
“ Libraries. How I love them. My source of stories. And solitude. Where the musty smell of books greets me like the perfume in our grandmother’s embrace. My old branch was two blocks from our London fla… Mitali Perkins
“ I’m glad we’re in the same school, I say, and drop a kiss on her head. In London we were enrolled in different schools because Sunny’s so gifted. Here there’s no separate school for extra-smart studen… Mitali Perkins
“ Pen. Where am I from? Can the answer be stories and words, some of theirs, some of mine? Mitali Perkins
“ Theater, my Star? Baba asks. I listen carefully, but there’s no disappointment in his tone, only surprise. Yes, Baba, I say. It’s been an interest of mine. And I think I might be good at it. But Ma— B… Mitali Perkins
“ My skin is soft and smooth and the color reminds me of rain-drenched earth. But it’s as if the darkness of it keeps Ma from noticing my assets: curly hair, a round face that makes babies smile, deep d… Mitali Perkins
“ You read her diary! That’s wrong, Ma! Ma closes the incinerator door and raises her palms in the air like she’s praying. I have to find out what’s going on in her head, don’t I? It’s my duty to keep h… Mitali Perkins
