Chokshi's beloved middle-grade fantasy gets the graphic-novel treatment.Aru Shah lives above the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture-where her mother is the curator-and often visits the statues of ancient gods and goddesses in her free time. To impress her classmates, Aru claims that she lives downtown and has an elephant and a magic lamp. When she is caught in her lies, Aru does something she knows is risky: She lights the Diya of Bharata, a move that releases a dangerous spirit known as the Sleeper. Aru is then informed by Subala, a pigeon, that it's her mission to save the world alongside her newly discovered soul sister, Mini, and that both girls are a reincarnation of the Pandava brothers, who, according to the Mahabharata, once engaged in civil war with their 100 cousins. Adapter Caramugna and illustrator Chouhan put a new spin on Aru's story in ways that will reach the ever growing audience for middle-grade graphic novels. Chouhan's vivid depictions of Hindu gods and goddesses are colorful and detailed, and Caramugna's text captures the essence of the original novel while also maintaining its quick pacing, compelling scenes of action and adventure, and strong character development. Aru and Mini are South Asian.A dynamic graphic-novel adaptation of a fan favorite. (Graphic novel. 8-12)

Chokshi's beloved middle-grade fantasy gets the graphic-novel treatment.Aru Shah lives above the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture-where her mother is the curator-and often visits the statues of ancient gods and goddesses in her free time. To impress her classmates, Aru claims that she lives downtown and has an elephant and a magic lamp. When she is caught in her lies, Aru does something she knows is risky: She lights the Diya of Bharata, a move that releases a dangerous spirit known as the Sleeper. Aru is then informed by Subala, a pigeon, that it's her mission to save the world alongside her newly discovered soul sister, Mini, and that both girls are a reincarnation of the Pandava brothers, who, according to the Mahabharata, once engaged in civil war with their 100 cousins. Adapter Caramugna and illustrator Chouhan put a new spin on Aru's story in ways that will reach the ever growing audience for middle-grade graphic novels. Chouhan's vivid depictions of Hindu gods and goddesses are colorful and detailed, and Caramugna's text captures the essence of the original novel while also maintaining its quick pacing, compelling scenes of action and adventure, and strong character development. Aru and Mini are South Asian.A dynamic graphic-novel adaptation of a fan favorite. (Graphic novel. 8-12)