Syal's debut paints a humorous and quirky portrait of a 1960s British mining town and a young girl stuck between her Punjabi family and her white, working-class neighbors. Meena Kumar, one of four nonwhite kids in her school, spends her time eavesdropping on the Yard Ladies, lying to her parents, perfecting her accent, and chasing after Anita Rutter and her gang. Even the arrival of a new brother and a visit from her grandmother do not manage to keep Meena out of trouble. It is only when Meena stands up to Anita's racist boyfriend, Sam, that things begin to change. Syal gives the reader a real feel for the neighborhood and its residents. At times you can almost smell the fish fingers and hear the Yard Ladies yelling back and forth over their fences. Syal has a gift of comedy that she uses to weave this delightful story. Recommended.?Editha Ann Wilberton, Kansas City P.L., Kan.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.