This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
AmmasSari_INT_RTP.indd 3
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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For Mummy, whose bold and beautiful steps in her sari will stay with me forever. And for my inspirational mentor, Sue deGennaro. ~ S.P. For Christina, my beloved sister. ~ M.P.
The art in this book was created digitally. Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress. ISBN 978-1-4197-6768-5 Text © 2022 Sandhya Parappukkaran
This is anIllustrations advance, uncorrected proof. © 2022 Michelle Pereira Book design by Pooja Desai Not for resale, duplication, or First published in Australia in 2022 by Bright Light, an imprint of Hardie Grant reposting. do not without Children’s Publishing. FirstPlease published in the United States quote in 2024 by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may comparison to the finished book. be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed and bound in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Abrams Books for Young Readers are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com or the address below. Abrams® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
Wr itt
en b y Sa
ndhya
Parappukkaran • Illustrated
e hell c i yM
ira e r Pe
b
Abrams Books for Young Readers | New York
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Every morning, I wait for the flutter of Amma’s sari pallu and the rustle of her sari pleats.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book. I melt into her silky hug.
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Rippling like a magic carpet, she spins me out of bed.
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I fix my skirt; Amma smooths her sari folds.
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Ey
AmmasSari_INT_RTP.indd 10
eb
ro w
sa
is an advance, uncorrected proof. rThis ch in Not for resale, duplication, or to cu . rio Please do not quote without reposting. out us m p e t s outo comparison ntathe hen we book. i ns wfinished
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Amm a
bol dl
ym
ar ch
es
on
.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
My feet drag. Whispers make me feel anxious. “Why do you wear a sari?” I ask.
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“My sari is a memory of love.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. I grew up clutching Not for resale, duplication, or my amma’s sari. reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
I took my first steps at the tip of her pallu.
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I waved at aunties rushing to work in rainbow hues.”
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Amma draws me close, but I resist a little.
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In the mornings, Amma’s sari bristles with adventure. We dive under towering pyramids, hunting for colorful treasures.
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Amma pleats her sari. The folds flare out like a waterfall.
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I feel as calm as a fish in water.
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Eyebrows hunch into worried caterpillars as we walk.
Amm
a strid
es on, untouched.
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My fingers start to itch.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. “Will you always wearor a sari?” I ask. Not for resale, duplication, reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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“Yes. My sari is a memory of a faraway place. I grew up where vendors carried their wares through the streets. My amma slipped the change into the pocket she had made. Her sari shaded me from the sun.”
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
Amma tucks her pallu into her waist. She swings her grocery bags with ease. I try to match Amma’s rhythm, but I falter.
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At home, the afternoon sun warms Amma’s saris.
I shiver. I wish to be free of the whispers and stares.
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p u p b i l l ow i n g s w i r o o c s ls y, I z n s a c c ading s he fre ilk, hide t a d bu n a In t
..
.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
y Yards and
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ards
b ric b a f of
ur
u st o
t—
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lik e
a
lo co
r
mo l fu
n
n soo
. rain
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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“Our culture nourishes us,” says Amma as she shuffles her pleats.
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“My sari connects me to my past and gives me strength in new beginnings.”
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Eyebrows rear into spooked horses in the aisles.
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“I’ll go on the ride while you finish shopping,” I say. In a snug embrace, Amma’s face brushes mine. “Stay near the door,” she reminds me.
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The crowd buzzes.
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Nobody notices me.
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I wander from window to window, around the hustle and through the bustle.
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I stop when a lady reminds me of Amma.
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I reach out for Amma’s hand, but she’s not there.
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Scanning the crowd for the flutter of her sari pallu and the rustle of her sari pleats, I freeze.
Amma is nowhere.
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T he
d to w o r c
sses
dri me a
ft.
I fr ant ical sea ly rch f o a st retc r ho shim mer f silk ing .
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I wipe my eyes a nd breathe a wish . .. to feel soft silk, warmth, and lov e.
n, a T he t of n i l g hine s n su hes catc eye. y m
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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AM
! A M
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or lds and without the foquote to not reposting. Please do n i e l p I crum and flares.book. comparison to the finished gathers tucks,
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The morning air is crisp as cotton silk. Mountains loom, caterpillars crawl, and horses bolt past. I beam through the stares and whispers. Walking in the light of Amma’s sari.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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