Doppol - Trending books for kids

10 Things I Hate About Pinky

#3 of 3 in Dimple and Rishi Series

3.84
on Goodreads (3,997)

What’s inside...

The follow-up to When Dimple Met Rishi and There’s Something about Sweetie follows Pinky and Samir as they pretend to date—with disastrous and hilarious results. Pinky Kumar wears the social justice warrior badge with pride. From raccoon hospitals to persecuted rock stars, no cause is too esoteric for her to champion. But a teeny-tiny part of her also really enjoys making her conservative, buttoned-up corporate lawyer parents cringe. Samir Jha might have a few quirks remaining from the time he had to take care of his sick mother, like the endless lists he makes in his planner and the way he schedules every minute of every day, but those are good things. They make life predictable and steady. Pinky loves lazy summers at her parents’ Cape Cod lake house, but after listening to them harangue her about the poor decisions (aka boyfriends) she’s made, she hatches a plan. Get her sorta-friend-sorta-enemy, Samir—who is a total Harvard-bound Mama’s boy—to pose as her perfect boyfriend for the summer. As they bicker their way through lighthouses and butterfly habitats, sparks fly, and they both realize this will be a summer they'll never forget.
In series
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

11-12

Length

354 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Pinky Kumar
Samir Jha
Dolly Kumar

Discussion points

How do Pinky and Sam navigate their differences, and what can we learn from their experiences?
What role does family play in this book and how do Pinky’s interactions with her family influence her decisions?
Do you think Pinky and Sam’s project helped their community? What kind of projects can we start together to help our community?
How does Pinky deal with her feelings throughout the story? Can you relate to her in any way?
What did you think about the resolution of the book? Was it satisfying? Why or why not?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the importance of understanding and compassion while discussing the characters' different perspectives. Ask them to relate the events in the book to their own experiences, which helps deepen their understanding of the themes. Highlight the impact of teamwork and community involvement as reflected in Pinky and Sam’s project, discussing how small actions can lead to positive changes. Lastly, foster an open environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings about the book’s resolution and its characters.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: The importance of empathy
Explanation: Throughout '10 Things I Hate About Pinky', Pinky and Sam discover each other's deeper struggles and vulnerabilities. These insights help them understand and empathize with each other more fully.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the feelings and perspectives of others, improving their interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Value of self-discovery
Explanation: Pinky explores her sense of identity and what truly matters to her throughout the book. This self-discovery process helps refine her actions and decisions.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage in self-reflection, helping them understand their values and make choices that align with their true selves.
Example Lesson: Importance of resolving conflicts
Explanation: The characters in the book face several conflicts which they resolve through communication and understanding, highlighting the importance of dealing with disagreements constructively.
Real-World Application: Children learn the vital life skill of conflict resolution, which is necessary for maintaining healthy relationships with peers and adults alike.
Example Lesson: Benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone
Explanation: Pinky often takes actions that put her out of her comfort zone, which leads to personal growth and new opportunities.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to try new activities or approaches in life, aiding their growth and self-confidence.