ALINA IN THE DEEP

Alina navigates an initially rocky relationship with her cousin.

When Alina, who’s Indian Canadian, finds out that cousin Safi is visiting from Kenya, she couldn’t be happier. An only child who’s always longed for a sibling, Alina can’t wait for the two of them to dress alike (“like twinsies”), binge-watch TV, attend soccer camp, and have water balloon fights. But when Safi lands at the Calgary airport, she’s not at all who Alina was expecting. Safi wears eye-catching traditional Indian outfits, talks loudly when the girls visit the library, and throws up after the two ride the merry-go-round. Alina’s always attempted to blend in, and Safi’s blaring difference makes her nervous. Plus, she’s disappointed at Safi’s disinterest in her proposed activities. It’s not until the two girls team up to find Alina’s missing dog, Lux, that she comes to believe a Swahili saying embroidered on one of the gifts Safi brought from Kenya: “When trouble comes, it’s your family that supports you.” Alina and Safi’s relationship rings true, while Alina’s fears of standing out and her efforts to balance her Indian and Canadian heritage feel relatable, given her past experiences with bullying. The incidents leading up to the final resolution are a bit unevenly paced, though the story’s beginning and resolution flow beautifully. Mistry’s simple black-and-white cartoon artwork breaks up the text.

Expectations are upended and bonds are strengthened in this poignant family tale.