Symptoms of a Heartbreak

May 20, 2019
The first solo YA novel by Charaipotra (coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things novels) explores the trials and tribulations of an outspoken 16-year-old genius during her first year as a pediatric oncology intern at New Jersey’s Princeton Presbyterian Hospital. As the youngest intern, Saira faces many challenges: lacking a driver’s license, she has to rely on her less-than-punctual mother, head of pediatrics at the hospital, for rides. Then there are the limited shifts she can work and her ever-critical supervisor, Dr. Davis, who breathes down Saira’s neck and is quick to brush off her ideas. Unprepared for the emotional strain of working with dying children, Saira has trouble juggling matters of the heart with acting professionally, and falling in love with a teen-musician patient might just be her undoing. Saira’s extended Indian-American family adds lively warmth to the medical drama, as does Saira’s pretend boyfriend, who has told no one but Saira (and his boyfriend) that he’s gay. If the pace is somewhat uneven, the surplus of life-or-death tension will keep readers attentive as Saira overcomes obstacles to save lives and earn the respect of authority figures and peers. Ages 14–up.

May 15, 2019
"Dr. Girl Genius" Saira Sehgal is America's youngest pediatric oncologist at age 16; she can't drive, but she can save lives--and she does in the opening chapters of this hilarious and touching rom-com. Saira is not only training to be a medical professional, she's also trying to prove to her skeptical fellow interns that she is just as intelligent and hardworking as they are despite her overbearing mother's interference and overprotectiveness. It's not easy living up to the demands of her friends and her large, loving (and very authentically portrayed) Punjabi family, let alone community expectations due to her local celebrity status. When Saira begins to fall for Lincoln "Link" Rad, a floppy-haired, guitar-playing, half Korean, half Scottish and Dutch leukemia patient, it's "Diagnosis: Heartbreaker. Prognosis: I'm in trouble now" for the young doctor. And when Link is in desperate need of a bone marrow donor, it's Saira who uses her social networks and social media-savvy friends to seek a match. Charaipotra does not shy away from including Hindi and Punjabi dialogue (without translation) and dropping Bollywood references, yet she skillfully offers readers who are not cultural insiders ample context to decode everything without compromising the narrative or characters' integrity. Saira and Link's chaste chemistry is palpable. A charming debut, part Doogie Howser, M.D. and part The Fault in Our Stars, offering rich, nuanced portrayals of Indian American family and professional life. (Romantic comedy. 14-18)

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July 1, 2019

Gr 8 Up-Grey's Anatomy meets When Dimple Met Rishi in this medical romance centered around America's youngest doctor. Sixteen-year-old Saira is known as the Girl Genius. Driven by the premature death of her childhood friend Harper to cancer, Saira begins a residency in pediatric oncology, where she encounters heartbreak, triumph, and possibly love. As Saira deals with competitive interns, a mom who practices medicine at the same hospital, and a difficult supervisor, her world is turned upside down when she meets a cute 16-year-old cancer patient who steals her heart. Teens will enjoy following Saira on her journey as she balances being a medical doctor and a teen dealing with friendships, family, and learning to drive. Saira's Indian heritage and family play a major role in the book, giving readers insight into Indian culture and food. A diverse range of characters provides all readers with someone to relate to. Charaipotra's novel is a perfect blend of family, romance, and the often painful transition from adolescence to adulthood. VERDICT A first choice for all collections. Give to fans of romance and medical dramas such as John Green's The Fault in Our Stars.-Ashley Leffel, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
Grades 7-10 Like many doctors, Saira Sehgal has been working toward a career in medicine for most of her life. For Saira, the journey started when she was only eight, and her best friend died of cancer. Now, having completed med school, she's an intern in a pre-residency program, fighting for a spot in an oncology program. But there's one big difference between Saira and her fellow interns: she's 16. The press calls her "Girl Genius" but Saira's just determined to be taken seriously by her patients, her fellow doctors, and even her big Indian American family, not all of whom believe in her. But being a teenager while logging hours on the cancer ward isn't easy; when cute patient Link mistakes Saira for another patient, she's tempted to carry on the charade. In her solo debut, Charaipotra (Tiny Pretty Things, 2015, with Dhonielle Clayton) charts the high stakes of Saira's medical journey and the not-so life-or-death but no less heart-wrenching flows of her teenage personal life. A warm, bitingly funny rom-com about finding your feet.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)