ch 1-6
Where is the birthmark that Lekha is self-conscious about?
In the middle of her forehead
What is Diwali?
Festival of Lights
What are some things that Lekha's family does to celebrate Diwali at the Hindu temple?
Special foods, prayers, time together.
What does Lekha's team try to convince her to do at the sleepover?
To shave her legs and arms
What is our author's first and last name?
Supriya Kelkar
What holiday is happening when Avantika moves to Lekha and Noah's street?
Halloween
How is Lekha's celebration of Diwali in Oakridge different than what her parents experienced growing up in Mumbai?
Only with her family vs. the entire city celebrating
What are the names of Lekha's two Desi friends in Detroit?
Maya and Tanvi
Where did Aai use to work/where do Noah's parents still work?
The auto plant (building cars)
What is the name of the language that Lekha's family speaks in addition to English?
Marathi
What classes do Lekha and Avantika have together at the start of the book?
English, P.E. (lunch)
What are the names of Lekha's teammates in the swim relay?
Harper, Aidy, Kendall
What is one particular style of clothing worn by Lekha's family on Diwali?
Sari, bindi, kurta, odhani, Anarkali.
What's the name of the Indian restaurant that Lekha and Noah's familes always eat at for Christmas?
What's the Mattar?
What does Lekha's dad say "ABCD" stands for?
American-Born Confused Desis
Lekha calls her dad "dad," and she calls her "mom":
Aai
What does Lekha really NOT like doing in P.E.? (Hint: her friend Maya is very good at this activity)
Dancing!
What holiday is taking place in these chapters besides Diwali? (Hint: in the US, it is always on a Thursday)
Thanksgiving
What do Lekha and Noah give each other for Christmas?
Lekha gives Noah a frame; Noah gives Lekha a set of coloring pencils.
What is the name of the style of swimming that Lekha does for her team's relay?
Freestyle
What are the four styles of swimming that Lekha has to do at tryouts?
Freestyle, backstroke, breastroke, butterfly.
Who are Anju and Manju?
Two twins in a famous Hindi movie that both Lekha and Avantika like
Compare and contrast Lekha' s sleepover with Avantika in Ch. 14 with her sleepover with her swim teammates in Chapter 18. Think of 2 similarities and 2 differences.
Answers will vary! 2 similarities: lots of food and not at Lekha's house. 2 differences: Hindi movies and Hindi food at Avantika's; no movies and pizza and soda at Harper's.
What are the names of the two candidates for senator in the special election?
Juan Sharpe and Abigail Winters
What is the name of another book that the author of "American as Paneer Pie" has written?
Ahimsa, The Many Colors of Harpeet Singh, That Thing About Bollywood, Strong as Fire and Fierce as Flame, Bindu's Bindis, American Desi (to be published in 2022)