By Rahma Shere
Happy spring! For this month, we’re highlighting three books featuring stories by Sikh authors that act as a means of reclaiming identity and healing. In Jasmin Kaur’s sophomore YA novel, If I Tell You The Truth, a mother and daughter find courage and community to heal as they navigate past trauma and fear in a new country. The picture book, My Name is Saajin Sigh, shows the importance of properly pronouncing names and owning our cultural identity are beautifully illustrated. And the other picture book, Kamal’s Kes, is a body-positive story about body hair. We hope these books inspire you to seek representation and empowerment in communities we all call home.
1) If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur (Young Adult)
Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Rupi Kaur, this heartrending story told in prose, poetry, and illustration weaves together the stories of a mother and daughter’s lives.
In this stunning sophomore novel, acclaimed writer Jasmin Kaur explores trauma, fear, courage, community, and the healing power of love in its many forms.
Kiran flees her home in Punjab for a fresh start in Canada after a sexual assault leaves her pregnant. But overstaying her visa and living undocumented brings its own perils for both her and her daughter, Sahaara.
Sahaara would do anything to protect her mother. When she learns the truth about Kiran’s past, she feels compelled to seek justice—even if it means challenging a powerful and dangerous man.
if i tell you the truth
that i’ve dug
from the hardened depths
of this shrapnel-filled dirt
with these aching, bloody hands
would you believe me?
would you still love me?
2) My Name Is Saajin Singh by Kuljinder Kaur Brar, illustrated by Samrath Kaur (Picture Book)
A debut picture book that explores the importance of pronouncing names properly and celebrates cultural identity.
Saajin loves his name—he loves it so much that he sees it spelled out in the world around him in his snacks, in the sky and sometimes he even sings it aloud. On his first day of school, Saajin is excited to meet his new classmates, but things take a turn when the teacher mispronounces his name as Say-jin and he is not sure how—or if he should—correct her. After trying to live with the different version of his name for a while and some thoughtful conversations with his family about the meaning behind it, Saajin realizes the importance of reclaiming his name and embracing his identity. This empowering story, accompanied by energetic and vibrant art by Samrath Kaur, will resonate with any reader who has ever felt misunderstood.
3) Kamal’s Kes by Baljinder Kaur (Picture Book)
In this effervescent companion to the picture book Stella Keeps the Sun Up, Stella goes on the hunt to figure out who’s behind her friend’s missing tooth.
Stella, her bestie Roger, and her second-best friend Owen are excited to go see Sue the T-rex at the museum, but when Owen has to leave early because he lost a tooth, Stella becomes determined to find it for him. How did he manage to lose a tooth? Was it stolen? Could the tooth fairy be responsible? Could Owen be…a dinosaur boy?
Nothing will keep Stella from her investigation, even if she and Roger fear their own teeth could be stolen too. But the more Stella investigates, the more she realizes that perhaps this case is not as complicated as she thought.
Ardo Omer