One of our young readers, Vaidehi Srinivasan, pens her thoughts about Manolita, a light chapter book authored by Sara Rajan.

A young girl from Seattle, Jaya, takes a trip to Oregon to spend time with her brother before he leaves for college. While exploring the coast of Lincoln City, she makes a new friend: a cloudy-eyed, curious young girl named Manolita. With dazzling prose and dreamlike illustrations, Sara Rajan and Shubhshree Mathur, in the book “Manolita,” present a captivating tale of the two girls’ friendship, celebrating kindness and acceptance in ways that will warm every child’s heart. 

In just forty-seven short pages, the book pulls the reader along a magical journey that fascinates from start to finish. While pleasant and uplifting, this story does not shy away from mystery, featuring moments of palpable suspense and a twist worth waiting for. 

Coupled with Mathur’s whimsical, apt illustrations, Rajan’s rich descriptions of the story’s setting make for an immersive experience. From Oregon’s glittering coastal shores to its dense forests, the reader finds, in these pages, a chance to explore new territories. 

The air of mystery around the ever-enigmatic Manolita, prominent at the beginning, gradually unravels along the storyline, allowing the reader to understand her eccentricities, regrets, and desires. Additionally, by telling the story from Jaya’s perspective, Rajan gives the reader an insight into her mind, exploring, in an unfiltered manner, her biases and doubts. 

Presenting both a powerful plot and complicated, flawed characters, this book stands out among others. While entertaining, it is also honest. It champions valuable traits such as selflessness, responsibility, and perseverance, while also emphasising the importance of learning from one’s mistakes. “Manolita” is more than a story of two unlikely friends; it is a must-read for all those looking to dive into a lush, meaningful work of fiction that acts as a source of learning, comfort, and entertainment. 

Vaidehi is a Grade 11 student from Bombay International School.