Divining the Leaves

Gr 7 Up–Magic lies between the trees in Atlanta. For Ridhi, she has been chasing magic her whole life. Using the forest to craft her signature perfumes, she spends her days in the woods, searching for the yakshas of Indian folklore. Her former best friend Nilesh, on the other hand, hangs out with the popular crowd, making fun of Ridhi’s fanciful dreams and the flowers in her hair. However, when his parents initiate an ugly divorce and he is forced to spend spring break with Ridhi’s family, he gets his own glimpse into the enchanted realm. Magic and mischievousness enter as Ridhi and Nilesh are thrust into the mythical court. Finding an escape into the forest, they each discover love and themselves. But can they find their way out again? This heavily atmospheric story will transport readers into the Night Market and tickle their senses. Tackling themes like deforestation, familial expectations, and finding one’s sense of belonging, the book will resonate for teens as Nilesh and Ridhi struggle to find their footing. However, many characters accept magic too easily and some resolutions would have benefited from a more thorough examination. Although the plot does not pick up until the end, readers will easily get caught in the abundance of beautiful sensory descriptions.