Save Me a Seat
by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

Save Me a Seat

Grades 5 & up

Realistic Fiction

So B. It

Book Summary:
This book has alternating chapters from two different viewpoints: a struggling, but observant student and a new, trying-to-fit-in-but-arrogant student from India.

 Book Review:
There are many things that work well in this book, including an important message about looking carefully at people before judging them, and being open-minded about differences. There's a strong anti-bullying message and an interesting character contrast. It is apparent that this story was written with a teaching purpose; it's not as genuine a story as it could be. However, it works as a mentor text because it has so many teaching features, including the exploration of point of view, and the explicit work with defined themes.

"I can already tell that school in America is going to be easy for me. At Vidya Mandir, we never played games in class."
p. 16

Moving to a New School
Moving to a New Country
Missing Friends Who Move Away
Popularity

School Relationships
Finding Your Voice; Self-Confidence
Being Open-Minded; Taking Time to Get to Know People

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