Beauty and the Besharam
on Goodreads (584)
What’s inside...
Heated competition leads to even hotter romance in this YA summer rom-com for fans of Sandhya Menon, Emma Lord, and Wibbroka. Seventeen-year-old, high-achieving Kavya Joshi has always been told she's a little too ambitious, a little too mouthy, and overall just a little too much. In one word: besharam. So, when her nemesis, Ian Jun, witnesses Kavya’s very public breakup with her loser boyfriend on the last day of junior year, she decides to lay low and spend the summer doing what she loves best–working part time playing princess roles for childrens’ birthday parties. But her plan is shot when she’s cast as Ariel instead of her beloved Belle, and learns that Ian will be her Prince Eric for the summer. Exhausted by Kavya and Ian’s years-long feud, their friends hatch a plan to end their rivalry by convincing them to participate in a series of challenges throughout the summer. Kavya is only too eager to finally be declared the winner. But as the competition heats up, so too does the romantic tension, until it escalates from a simmer to a full-on burn.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-17
Length
400 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the main character unique and special?
How did the main character deal with challenges and what can we learn from their approach?
Can you think of a time when you felt different like the main character? How did you handle it?
What does bravery mean to you, and how did the characters in the book show bravery?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in our town today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to the main character by sharing your own similar experiences.
Take turns reading aloud to make the reading experience interactive and engaging.
Pause at intense or emotional moments in the book to discuss your child's feelings and thoughts.
After reading, engage in activities that relate to the book’s themes, such as drawing scenes or writing a letter to the main character.
Use the discussion to explore moral and ethical decisions, asking your child what they would do in similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-confidence
Explanation: The protagonist, through various trials, learns to believe in her own abilities and make decisions confidently.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by trusting in their choices and abilities in school projects or while interacting with peers.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of understanding and accepting different perspectives and cultures.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace diverse classmates and learn from each other's backgrounds.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: Characters in the book overcome obstacles by treating others with kindness, even in difficult situations.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice kindness in everyday situations, whether sharing a toy or helping a friend in need.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite facing setbacks, the main character persists and ultimately succeeds, showcasing the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn to keep trying in their studies or hobbies, even when it gets challenging.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: The book shows how working together can solve problems that seem insurmountable alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group activities at school, teaching kids to collaborate effectively and value each team member's input.