These are very real and very relatable ways that girls of color might navigate the waters of race, ethnicity, and queer love, although some readers may be disappointed that Nishat and Flávia's attraction feels more sweet than passionate. Love interest Flávia is less rooted in her Brazilian heritage than Nishat is as a Bengali, and she is also less confident than Nishat in being out about her sexuality. Scenes between Nishat and her unwaveringly supportive sister, Priti, are among the most compelling: They fight, make up, and love each other fiercely. Nishat is a worthy role model - she knows she deserves to be accepted and loved for who she is (lesbian, Bengali, Muslim).

In The Henna Wars, Jaigirdar seamlessly weaves Bengali culture, immigration's impact on Nishat's family, racism, homophobia (within Nishat's Muslim faith and at her Catholic school), cultural pride, and self-acceptance into typical teen life. This powerful, complex novel masquerades as a queer romance, but has much more going on under the surface. Sporadic uses of 'damn,' 'bitch,' and 'sh-t.' Nishat and Flávia share a few not-very-intense kisses. Nishat's Bengali culture and Muslim faith figures prominently in the story, Flávia is biracial (Black Brazilian and White Irish) and bisexual, and most of the other young women characters are White.

Teen readers will find much common ground with the characters: crushes, friendship drama, bullying, sibling ups and downs, and the pressures of family. Positive messages emphasize self-acceptance, the importance of open communication, and a willingness to learn and grow. But when Flávia, Nishat's crush, also creates a henna tattooing service for the competition, life gets even more complicated. After her parents react to her coming out as lesbian with cold silence, 15-year-old Nishat, a Bengali immigrant to Dublin, Ireland, pours her energy into launching a henna tattooing business for a school competition.

Parents need to know that Adiba Jaigirdar's debut novel The Henna Wars weaves complexities of race, sexuality, religion, and family into a romcom storyline. 'Damn,' 'bitch,' and 'sh*t' are used a few times each.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

The henna wars by adiba jaigirdar