Awards

• Winner of Junior Library Guild Selection (United States).

Overview

This debut teen graphic novel from social media influencer Jyoti Chand and rising star illustrator Tara Anand follows one girl's journey navigating high school and her mental health within a traditional South Asian family. Perfect for fans of Netflix's Never Have I Ever and Tillie Walden's Spinning. All Nitasha's parents want is for her to be the perfect Indian daughter—something she is decidedly not. Everything she does seems to disappoint them, especially her mom. They just don't get that she'll never be like her doctor older brother. To make matters worse, she's never quite felt like she belongs at school either, and lately, her best friend, Ava, and her crush, Henry, seem to be more interested in the rich new girl than in her. Alcohol takes the edge off, but when that doesn't work, Nitasha turns to cutting. She can't stop asking herself: Will she ever be enough for her friends or her family Or even for herself This authentic and powerful teen graphic novel shines a light on how harmful the stigma of mental illness is and how lifesaving a community that is honest about mental health can be.

Full Product Details

9780063237537

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Debut author Chand emphasizes how intergenerational and cultural expectations exacerbate Nitasha’s mental health challenges, while unadorned panels by Anand (My Name Is Long as a River) highlight the supportive characters who help Nitasha, her parents, and their community at the temple reckon with these pressures’ aftermath. “Inspired by my own life,” as noted by Chand in back matter, this searing graphic novel directly and honestly confronts mature issues and suggests that healing is only possible if communities reject the societal stigma that prevents people from seeking life-saving support—a critical reminder for readers."" — Publishers Weekly ""This keenly observed graphic novel touches on rarely discussed themes of alcoholism, mental health, self-harm, and emotional avoidance in South Asian communities... the portrayal of overbearing immigrant parents and the pressures of high school feel true to life. The illustrations make interesting use of color, with sepia-tinted panels for scenes from the past and pinks, blues, and purples enhancing more dramatic situations. A candid... exploration of mental health challenges in South Asian families."" — Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Jyoti Chand, a.ka. @Mamajotes across social platforms, is a dynamic writer, comedian, and passionate advocate for self-care and maternal mental health. FITTING INDIAN is Jyoti’s first book and she is currently working on her second graphic novel with First Second Books, among other creative projects. Jyoti’s work inspires others to embrace the joy and authenticity in their own lives. With a foundation in stand-up comedy and improv, Jyoti captivates audiences through her highly engaging content across social and digital platforms, offering an unfiltered look into the realities of motherhood. Represented by Haley Henning at Glossary Artists. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University Originally from Los Angeles, she now resides in the Chicago suburbs with her family. Follow her journey at @mamajotes or visit her at mamajotes.com Tara Anand is an award-winning illustrator and visual artist from Mumbai, India, based in New York City. Her work has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, and the LA Times, on Netflix, and more. Fitting Indian is her debut graphic novel. Visit her at taraanandart.com/about.  

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available