Young reader, Neriya M. Venkat, pens a hearty review of Vishaka George’s unique chapter book, House of Uncommons.

Little boy Krishnan was born with HIV, like his mother. And little did he realize being born with HIV would impact everything he did. Nobody touched him because they thought that if they lay a finger on a person with HIV, they would get it too. And in this book, I agree with Krishnan – that is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.

HIV cannot be passed on by sleeping in the same bed, eating from the same plate, or through touch. Little boy Krishnan’s mom passed away because of the virus. Then, his grandma kicked the bucket two years after his mom’s death. As people often say, “Be happy with what you’ve got, because you never know when life can turn around.” And if I can share one learning from this book, then it’s that.

Many books really speak to my interests, and this one was different, something like I have never read before. Out of more than a hundred and fifty books that I have read and reviewed, this one was special. And I truly mean it.

Many books are such good stuff but that thought wafted away as I really started to see in this book that some things can’t be ignored. A certain level of likeness for a particular thing can go through the roof if its quality and effect on the person is striking. Diversity is what I like about books. Diverse books bring people together.

“No matter the condition, what matters is the heart.” This book taught me that. The author deserves praise.

Neriya M. Venkat, at ten years old, is a zealous reviewer of children’s books ranging across a wide spectrum of genres and themes.