You Bring the Distant Near, by Mitali Perkins

(Paperback, 320 pages, first published in 2019)

Nominated for the National Book Award.
Six starred reviews
School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year.
Publisher's Weekly's Best Book of the Year.
Horn Book Fanfare List.
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults.
New York City Public Library's Notable 50 Best Book for Teens.
South Asia Book Award Winner.
Mississippi's Magnolia Award Winner.

This elegant young adult novel captures the immigrant experience for one Indian-American family with humor and heart. Told in alternating teen voices across three generations, You Bring the Distant Near explores sisterhood, first loves, friendship, and the inheritance of culture—or better or worse. Author Mitali Perkins weaves together the threads of a family growing into an American identity. Here is a sweeping story of five women at once intimately relatable and yet entirely new.

Cautions: This book contains some sensuality (leading to marriage). It also covers some heavy topics—racism, cultural identity, death—but in an elegant and poignant way. See Redeemed Reader's review here.

Recommended Age: 15+