Keeping Corner out in October

My next novel, Keeping Corner, is historical fiction for young adult based on my great aunt's life, and it is set in Gandhi-era India. It will be available in October.

From the publisher:

"Pretty as a peacock, twelve-year-old Leela has been spoiled all her life by everyone in her Gujarat village. She has never been interested in school and barely takes notice of the growing unrest between the British colonists and her own countrymen.  Why should she? Her future has been planned since her engagement at two and marriage at nine. And now, as the day she moves in with her husband's family draws near, she's too busy collecting bangles and ribbons to care about much else.

But when Leela's husband dies, her life changes forever.  Instead of being showered with  gifts and affection, she is is forced to shave her head and give away her beloved saris and bangles.  Leela is considered unlucky now, and will have to stay confined to her house for a year to keep corner in preparation for a life of mourning for a boy she barely knew.

When her schoolteacher hears of her fate, she offers to give Leela lessons at home. For the first time, despite her confinement, Leela begins to open her eyes to the changing world around her.  India is suffering from a severe drought, and farmers are unable to pay taxes to the British. She learns about a new leader of the people, a man named Gandhi, who starts a political movement and practices satyagraha, a non-violent protest against the colonists as well as the caste system.  The quiet strength of satyagraha may liberate her country. Could it be that she can use the same path to liberate herself?"

Comments

[Debbi Michiko Florence]

I just started reading your ARC last night and so far I love it. The details are lush, the writing lyrical, and the characters fascinating. Can't wait to read on!
Great job!
xo
debbi

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Debbi,

Thanks for the note and questions you asked me. I will be posting them here.
xo,
Kashmira

[Rita]

If you are interested in presenting to an Elementary School in Middleton, please email me. Thanks.

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Rita,

Yes, I am interested in presenting at your school. Please email me at ksheth@tds.net. Thank you.
Kashmira

[pottergirl]

Awesome book!Just started reading "Keeping Corner" and I love it! The details are beautiful. Can't wait to read some of your other books!

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi pottergirl,

I'm glad you are enjoying Keeping Corner. Most of the details come from my own family/regional backgrounds so I am pleased that you like them.
Thanks for posting.
Kashmira

[Nigitha]

Wonderful book!The details you have presented are amazing.Recommended by my teenage daughter,this book brought back tons of memories to me.I grew up in Gujrat, in a Ghandhivadi family with a very close greataunt who lived her 90yr life very similar to Leela.
Thanks again for writing such a great book.

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Higitha,

It seems like we come from similar backgrounds and from the same geographical region. There were many widows in the same situation as your great-aunt and mine, especially, after a plague and flu epidemics. This book is for all of them who suffered unnecessarily.
Thanks for writing,
Kashmira

[Ishani249]

This is an amazing book, it really changed the way i though about alot of things that go on in India. I have done a little bit of studying on Gandhiji myself, but I have never read a book from such an interesting perspective as this one. You really captured the voice of Leela and the way you have shown that people can make a difference, even young women like Leela is amazing. Thank you for writing such an inspiring book.
I am doin a project on this book for my school and I am supposed to get images that represent the cultural elements and setting of the story. Any ideas on what I could get some pictures of?
Thank You

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Ishani,

You can get pictures of rural India to show the life in 1918-19. I'm thinking of bullock-carts etc. Other is to get pictures of women wearing colorful saris(Rajasthan and Gujarat). Get pictures of Gandhiji from that era. I think you should be able to get most of these pictures from internet. I hope this suggestions are of help.
Thanks for writing such a lovely note!
Kashmira

[Ishani249]

Thanks so much for your comments and help, I added some of the pictures you told me and my teacher was so impressed with my work and so were the other students and teachers. Your book is amazing and I am going to do a book report presentation on it in the near future.

Thank you so much

Ishani

[RJ]

I am really Addicted to you books, I just finished Keeping Corners, I couldnt put it down it was really nice book I have one Suggestion this may sound odd but I think you sould make movie on Keeping Corners. May I ask what are you working on now ?

Take Care
RJ

[Kashmira Sheth]

Ishani, I'm so happy that my suggestions were useful to you. I hope you report goes well!
RJ, thanks for your comment and suggestion. It would be wonderful if someone wants to make a movie of Keeping Corner. I will keep you informed if I get an offer!
Kashmira

[Farrah M]

This book is so moving! I am a second generation Pakistani- American and didn't know things like this ever existed. My mother and I both read this book and fell in love with it from the first page. Leela has such a great personality and her teacher gave her so much will power. This book was so amazing and I loved your writing style so much. I can't wait until you come out with another book!
<3 Farrah <3

[kat]

i read this book for my independent reading book and i loved it :].i'm have a presentation of it this friday.I hope i do well enough to have a good summary abt it!

[kashmira Sheth]

Dear Farrah

As I wrote this book I loved Leela more and more. It makes me so happy that she is out in this world and is doing well. I am thrilled your mother and you loved this story. I also have two daughters so I can imagine your feelings. Thanks for writing.
I am working on a new story. I don't have pubdate for it.
Have you had a chance to read my previous novel, Koyal dark, Mango Sweet? You might enjoy that.
Kashmira

[rida]

I cant wait to read this book. It seems tragic yet wonderful!

[anjli sharma]

Hi, i have read your book Blue jamsime and i just loved it. i am 14 and my parents can relate to the book and im sure any indina family that came form indian can. i have just started to read your book keeping corner and already it seems so interesting. all your books are so touching sad but at the same itme wonderful and i love your topics. please comment back. =)

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Rida,
Thanks for posting twice. Please write back after you finish reading Keeping Corner. If you have questions, please ask. I'd be happy to answer them.
Kashmira

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Anjli,

You are right about other Indians sharing the experience with Seema and her family. I was inspired to write Blue Jasmine after I read stories about other immigrants. It is a unique experience.
Keeping Corner is a sad story, but I am sure you will find it hopeful, too. Let me know how you like it.
Best,
Kashmira

[anjli sharma]

first of all id like to say thank you for commenting back. i read more then half the book in about 3 days!! its just so interesting that i cant put it down. i love the book. yes it is a sad story. i also ask the same questions to my mom that leela asks her mom lik why do widows have to be bald. i cant wait to read you other book my dadima wears a sari . i hope you keep on making many more books!!
love Anjli (please comment back) =)

[Marion Danton]

Hello,

I'm glad I found you blog since I'm translating Keeping Corner in French (France) so it will be published by L'Ecole des loisirs, a French publisher. It would be very helpful for me if I was able to discuss with you some peculiar points, especially about Gujarati language and religious customs. Do you think this could be possible ?
Best regards
Marion
PS : You may reply using my e-mail address.

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Marion,

I'd be happy to talk to you but I do not have you email address. It doesn't show up on my blog. Please feel free to email me at ksheth@tds.net

I am excited about the French translation because my daughters spent a year in Franc and know French.
Best wishes and thank you for translating Keeping Corner.
Kashmira

[Meilin]

I just finished this book for a book project and I loved it! It showed me the importance of courage. It also had great historical information. The vivd descriptions made me feel like I was actually in Jamlee. Great book ^_^!!

[Ekta Shah]

WOw!!!!
I read this book last year with couple of other books called Blue Jasmine and Black....n I thought all of them were amazing. I could visualize everything that happened to that girl.