Genie Meanie

July 1, 2020

Gr 1-3-Eight-year-old Kiara Prasad just wants to start third grade on a good note, without worrying about the racist bully in her class. So when she discovers her recently deceased grandmother left her a genie in a bottle labeled Zayn Garam Masala, she thinks her problems are solved. Only, Zayn's been trapped for 1,000 years, and he seems more interested in bossing Kiara around than granting her wishes. Can Kiara and her best friend Bai learn to stand up for themselves instead of freezing up or running away? While Narsimhan's examination of bullying is a bit oversimplified and leaves a lot to be desired in terms of adult intervention, the introduction of a whimsical genie to the story makes this illustrated chapter book an entertaining read for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Debbi Michiko Florence, and Kelly Starling Lyons. And, best yet, Narsimhan leaves the story open to a possible series, as Zayn shows no signs of leaving even after Kiara's situation is resolved. Kiara and Zayn are Indian, while Bai is Chinese; the school bully and Kiara's teacher both present as white. VERDICT Overall, a fun read that tackles adversity and bullying in a relatable way for young readers. Recommended for purchase.-Kaitlin Frick, Darien Lib., CT

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June 1, 2020
When 8-year-old Kiara Prasad finds a genie trapped in a bottle, she looks forward to wishing away her big problem at school: Matt, the bully. Kiara recently lost her grandmother, and no one--including her grandfather visiting from India, her parents, and her best friend, Bai Leng--can ease her pain. To make matters worse, Kiara's grandmother was the only one who truly understood how mean some of the other kids at school could be. While going through some of the odds and ends her grandmother left her, Kiara finds a bottle labeled Zayn Garam Masala; when she opens the bottle, she unwittingly releases a genie, Zayn. Kiara is initially excited, as she hopes Zayn can help her take care of Matt, but the genie claims to be on vacation and refuses to grant her any wishes. Without the promise of magic, Kiara must summon the courage to stand up to Matt's bullying once and for all. Most of the characters are people of color: The protagonist and her family are Indian, Zayn is presumably Muslim, and Bai is Chinese; Matt is white. While Narsimhan's dialogue does not always sound authentically childlike, the issue of bullying is portrayed realistically though resolved easily. Simpson's cute cartoons in black and white are interspersed throughout the narrative, supporting the text and providing readers with some visual humor. An important story about bullying despite the relatively simple resolution. (Fantasy. 6-8)

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