Alina in the Deep

Alina, a young Canadian girl of Indian heritage, looks forward to her cousin’s visit from Kenya. She eagerly makes plans, certain Safi will be the sister-like figure she has always longed for, but things go awry from day one. Whereas Alina has always tried to blend quietly into Canadian culture, Safi wears bright traditional Indian clothes and talks loudly with a distinctive accent. Alina does not like the attention these things bring and is embarrassed. Furthermore, Safi doesn’t always enjoy the activities Alina has planned for them. One by one, Alina crosses off the unfulfilled activities on the list of things she wanted to share and do with Safi. Only when Alina’s beloved dog, Lux, disappears, does she realize the significance of her relationship with her cousin.

Alina in the Deep, a chapter book, is a sequel to the award winning Alina in a Pinch. The story is simply told and moves well from event to event, ably depicting Alina’s fluctuating emotions and yet revealing some humour in the process. Children of all backgrounds will relate to Alina’s divided loyalties regarding her background and will understand her desire to blend into Canadian culture while retaining and loving the old-country traditions maintained by her family.

Events are relayed from Alina’s perspective showing her as an emotional, eager, young lady with much initiative. Despite Alina’s disappointment with her, Safi also comes across as a positive personality with warmth and resourcefulness. Alina’s gradual recognition of Safi’s true worth is realistic and a salutary message about the real meaning of friendship that rises above petty disappointments. In addition to its message about friendship, Alina in the Deep is a nice venture into Indian customs, food and values. It is illustrated with simple black and white drawings by Beena Mistry that highlight incidents in the story.