Gr 1–3—All Marya Khan wants for her eighth birthday is a huge party to rival her neighbor's, and she will lie to get it.
Then she realizes that who she celebrates with means more than how extravagant the party is. This sweet early
chapter book with South Asian representation teaches readers empathy and connection.

Sweet middle grade story about rivalry/jealousy/grass-is-not-always-greener-on-the-other-side.
Marya is the youngest child in her family (mom, dad, grandmother, older sister, older brother).

After watching a movie with her grandmother, Marya gets the idea that her birthday party this year should be an extravagant celebration. While trying to sell her family on the idea, things don't go exactly as planned, good intentions aside. ( )

First Sentence: It wasn't fair that my birthday party was exactly two days after Alexa R.'s. "Why couldn't I have been born a little early?" I groaned at breakfast on Monday.

Premise/plot: Marya Khan is about to turn eight. But her birthday party doesn't feel like a party. At least not in comparison. Her parents think an appropriate party includes inviting over a best friend, getting pizza, and watching a movie. Marya Khan dreams a little bigger. A LOT bigger. Something perhaps even bigger and better than her neighbor-and-classmate, Alexa, will have. Her storytelling gets a little out of control and catches the attention of Alexa who believes Marya really is having this awesome party--a henna party. Can Marya convince her parents to throw her a big(ger) party in just a few days???? Or will she be caught out in her lie????

My thoughts: I really loved this one. It was such a great early chapter book. I loved meeting Marya and her family. I loved meeting her friends. I loved how the tense relationship between Alexa and Marya was explored. [Marya is more than a little jealous. But Alexa doesn't seem to have any negative, mean feelings about her.] I loved that this story shows the importance of empathy. Lest you think it is all about morals and lessons, this one offers some humor as well. ( )