My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding

In Atlanta, hip-hop violinist Zurika “Zuri” Damani dreams of a career in music. After being rejected by Juilliard—to which she applied unbeknownst to her family, who think she’s pursuing pre-law like her sisters—she hopes to compete in an area contest judged by a panel of college scouts. Unfortunately, the competition takes place during her sister’s “biggest, fattest, most Indianist wedding,” and Zuri’s family has warned repeatedly that she is not to miss a minute. “It’s time to put away the violin and focus on your responsibilities,” her older sister Urvi tells her. Further complicating Zuri’s ambitions are her family’s matchmaking attempts with the groom’s cousin from South Africa, whom Zuri soon discovers is a vocalist—and a fellow competitor. Set over the span of a week, Patel’s (The Knockout) YA outing is uneven, with a plodding pace and sometimes indiscernible characters. But the author provides a sweeping portrait of the South Asian diaspora, and offers an affectionate and lushly detailed window into the family’s wedding experience— “nutty almond barfi, buttery peda, coconutty chum chum, and gooey orange jalebi (yes!).” Ages 13–up. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Apr.)