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Sona Sharma: A Friend Indeed
CCBC Review:
Sona Sharma’s class is holding an election for class leader. When her arrogant classmate Pradeep pronounces that everyone will vote for him, Sona impulsively blurts out that she’s running, too, only to have her two best friends, Joy and Renu, mad at her before Joy announces she is running, too. Sona and her fellow candidates must follow their teacher’s campaign rules, which include “no name-calling, bad language, or insults; no fake news; and no promises you cannot keep.” But as Sona works on her campaign, she realizes that her only motivation to run was annoyance at Pradeep; Joy is the one with ideas for their class. Sona’s anxiety about the election is compounded by frustration at home, where she feels like all anyone cares about is her little sister Minmini’s upcoming first-birthday party and Ayush Homam ceremony. In spite of her frustration, it’s clear Sona’s parents and grandparents are tuned in to Sona, too, in an amiable short novel set in India that organically integrates thoughtful information for young readers about campaigning and elections. Occasional black-and-white illustrations accompany the story. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Jen Khatun
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 7-10
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Competitions and Contests
Families
Friendship
Hindus
Indians and Indian Americans
Jealousy/Envy
School
Siblings
Voting Rights/Elections
Diversity subject:
Asian
Other Religion
On CCBC Booklists:
Wisconsin Social Studies Standards: Suggested Books for K-5
School Stories: Selected PreK-12 Literature about the School Experience
Publishers:
Candlewick, Walker
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 114
ISBN: 9781536238167
CCBC Location: Fiction, Soundar