#jay sharma

American Born Indian is officially published!

I’ve always heard about people leaving their home countries behind for the United States, to fulfil what’s called the American Dream. You know—the way it looks in the movies. Never did I imagine the opposite could happen.

Meet Jay Sharma, a spirited Indian-American middle schooler who's never had the chance to explore the land of his heritage. But when an unexpected move whisks him away from New York City—home sweet home—to bustling and vibrant Bangalore, Jay is thrown into a world of unfamiliar rules and rigid traditions. (Who would have thought that phones weren't allowed in classrooms?) And that's just the start of his many, many problems.

Suddenly, Jay is the centre of attention in this new country, torn between two worlds. How can he decide if he is Indian or American if he keeps juggling between each country? Will he ever be able to?

American Born Indian is an equal parts funny, poignant and heartwarming middle-grade novel that explores themes of cultural identity, self-acceptance, and the journey to discovering one's true self in a new and unfamiliar land.

Yuma: (Glares at Vetrix, his eyes glowing and his pupils become slit)

Vetrix: Ooh, the scary eyes~

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(When Kite was still a villain)

Yuma: I know what you are. I'll tell my friends. I'll tell everyone.

Kite: And so will I. Honestly, if you expose me, you expose yourself.

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Yuma: The glowing blade is new!

Leo: You like it? I've had some upgrades!

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Tori: Yuma, aren't you worried? These are the best known Magi hunters in Japan!

Yuma: Tori, the best known. They're not the best.

(Insert said Magi hunters being absolutely incompetent)

Yuma: It's a virtual who's who of who can't catch Magi.

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Jay: By the way Kikyo, just so you know, I'm onto your little secret.

Kikyo: What secret?

Jay: The clumsiness, the nervousness, I can't believe I didn't figure it out before. You have a girlfriend.

Kikyo: It's a lie, I'm not a witch! I mean, she's not my girlfriend. She's just going to the dance with me.

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Mari: (Furious and acting out)

Vetrix: Hahahahaha!! Man, she's even brattier than I am!

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Yuma: I'll give you a 5 minute head start, Tachibana.

Miyuki: Really?

Yuma: Minutes, seconds. You know how bad I can be at math. Get her!

The K-Pop Demon Hunters phenomenon is still going strong, so I've decided to hop on the bandwagon and share the KPDH characters' similarities with my ABI main three, and break down this new context in this way-too-organised post. (Spoilers for American Born Indian and KPop Demon Hunters below—proceed with caution!)

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1. Jay

Jay’s journey in American Born Indian is, to me, Zoey’s backstory before she joined Huntr/x. Both tried to reconcile their dual American and Indian/Korean identities, and when they do, it brings a new perspective to their lives. Zoey’s realisation manifests itself in her lyrics, style and music (her American rap style in K-pop, for example). We don’t see Jay’s dual culture influence any of his creative work—yet—but it becomes an important part of himself beyond the book as he grows older.

Lyrics:

I lived two lives, tried to play both sides / But I couldn't find my own place (‘Golden’)

Between imposter and this monster, I been lost inside my head/ Ain't no choice when all these voices keep me pointing towards no end (‘Free’)

I tried to fix it, I tried to fight it / My head was twisted, my heart divided (‘What It Sounds Like’)

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2. Ruchi

Ruchi and Mira are probably the most similar. They both rebel against strict family rules and want to live their own life. The difference is that Ruchi’s parents, even if takes them time to understand, accept her choice to be herself and break free of the boundaries set because of her gender; Mira, on the other hand, cuts herself off from her family completely because they didn’t accept her completely, labelling her as a ‘problem child’. As a result, they stay close to their friends who see them for who they really are, considering them real family. They aren’t afraid to argue and stand up for themselves and others, but tensions within their friend groups leave them shaken and afraid of losing such trust and bonds. 

Lyrics and Songs:

‘How It’s Done’ and ‘Takedown’ are my girl’s ANTHEMS, no doubt

Called a problem child 'cause I got too wild / But now that's how I'm getting paid, 끝없이 on stage (‘Golden’)

We're shattering the silence, we're rising, defiant (‘What It Sounds Like’)

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3. Aravind

You would have guessed by now who Aravind is most like in KPDH. Him and Rumi have to live with the tragic secrets of their families—for Rumi, it’s her demon dad, and for Aravind, it’s his martyred soldier brother. Over the course of their stories, they reveal these secrets and learn to be their true selves, though their friends’ reactions are very much different. They hate hiding things, but they do it so that people can see them for who they are and not their past. Plus, Aravind and Rumi are incredible singers, and the faces of their respective musical groups. Music provides them solace from their fears and doubts.

Lyrics and songs:

I was a ghost, I was alone / 어두워진 앞길속에 (Hah) / Given the throne, I didn't know how to believe (Hah) / I was the queen that I'm meant to be (Ah) // Waited so long to break these walls down / To wake up and feel like me / Put these patterns all in the past now / And finally live like the girl they all see (Golden)

I tried to hide but something broke / I tried to sing, couldn't hit the notes / The words kept catching in my throat / I tried to smile, I was suffocating though / But here with you, I can finally breathe // Why does it feel right every time I let you in? / Why does it feel like I can tell you anything? / All the secrets that keep me in chains // Oh, so take my hand, it's open / What if we heal what's broken? // I couldn't sing, but you give me hope (Free)

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Other parallels:

The trio’s songs are definitely ‘Golden’ and ‘What It Sounds Like’, and they’d dance to ‘Soda Pop’ and scream ‘Your Idol’ on field trip bus rides

‘Free’ is looking suspiciously like a Jaravind song to me…

Thought I should give a summary of the characters in the story for a refresher…

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1. Jay Sharma

The main protagonist of the series, Jay has always stood out due to his Indian background. However, things take a topsy-turvy turn when he and his mother suddenly relocate to India. In this new environment, his "Americanness" becomes the center of attention. It isn't easy for Jay to navigate this complex identity as a queer teenager of color who is now an immigrant in a country vastly different from his upbringing. Yet, with the support of his friends and family, Jay embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning what it truly means to embrace both his American and Indian heritage simultaneously.

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2. Ruchi Singh

Ruchi's spunky and feminist spirit clashes with her parents' traditional expectations, AKA 'the perfect Indian daughter'. That means no socialising with boys, no wearing Western clothing, and definitely no pursuing her passion for playing the drums. Her newfound friendship with Jay challenges these norms, but she grapples with the desire to maintain family harmony versus embracing her individuality. Inspired by strong female figures from the books she reads and Jay's encouragement, Ruchi navigates the complex balance between tradition and personal growth, all while protecting her friends from cultural expectations threatening their growth.

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3. Aravind Raichand

From the moment Jay and Aravind first cross paths, it's evident that Jay has fallen head over heels for the reserved and studious boy seated beside him. However, Aravind isn't the 'Heartstopper' he seems to be; beneath his quiet demeanor lies secrets he's hesitant to reveal, even as his relationship with Jay evolves from best friends into something more. Aravind's trust--and his life--has been shattered in the past. Despite this, he takes baby steps towards the possibility of opening up, allowing new individuals into his life to forge fresh connections and bonds.

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4. Nitara Sharma

Nitara, Jay's diligent and compassionate mother, has made the challenging decision to honor her late husband Rushil's wishes by returning to India. However, the prospect of starting anew in her homeland proves to be far more daunting than she had ever anticipated. Despite sacrificing the relative comfort of life in New York City to care for her ailing mother, Nitara must now summon the strength to navigate the profound changes that lie ahead. As she and Jay strive to adapt—or perhaps readapt—to life in India, they will face a myriad of challenges and adjustments that will put their resilience and bond to the test.

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5. Naina Suhan

Naina, Jay's loving grandmother, is a remarkable blend of kindness and resilience. Her joy in having her daughter and grandson stay with her provides her the opportunity to be closer to them--and tougher, too. Naina has also formed deep bonds with young individuals like Aravind and Ruchi, often assuming the role of a guiding force in their lives. Despite her declining health, her influence helps them rise above the everyday challenges of adolescence. Her presence serves as a steady anchor for Jay, imparting in him a profound appreciation for his Indian heritage and the enduring values passed down through generations. Through Naina, Jay finds both a source of security and a sense of belonging in his new environment.