Book Reveiw -My Name is Cinnamon

10th Oct 2024

"The most important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its reason for existing" - Albert Einstein.

A teenage boy, whose name is Cinnamon, is a curious soul. He is about to turn 14. But, he has his questions, which, if not answered may lead to an emotional imbalance. As responsible parents, Basundhara and Rishikesh, take a mindful step by taking a huge risk, but only for their child.
The plot and the story are thoughtful. Cinnamon's school life is described in a relatable manner. His hatred for maths normalizes the phobia of all students of his age. The support he has from his parents to follow sports and other co-curricular activities is noteworthy. The detailing of places, be it Pune, Kolkata, or Nandurbar is distinctive. The city versus village paradox that Cinnamon faces is so relatable. The region-specific delicacies, slang, and occasional humor help keep the book a light read despite carrying such a strong message.
Being an adopted child has been normalized by his parents, but the turmoil that Cinnamon himself goes through has been narrated aptly. The courage to take their child to the counselor when he needed it, is a revolutionary step, a pleasant and welcome change. The purpose of inclusivity is eventually served. This book aided in teaching inclusivity to my 9-year-old. However, adding more emotions in certain instances would have given more depth to the whole scenario; It did not hamper the overall reading for me. Thanks to this book, I learned about Usher Syndrome and got to know more about adoption rules in India.



The occasional illustrations provide visual effects to the process of reading. The cover is beautiful and will only feel justifiable towards the end of the book. The title is catchy and intriguing. This book is an apt read for young adults. It was originally gifted to me, but it was first read by my son (9) and then passed on to me to help him understand certain words and scenes that he could not understand. I am glad he read it first and did not give me any spoilers! This is the first book I have read in this genre, and I am happy I started with this one.
Author Vikas has already bagged awards for this book and I feel proud to mention this book is being translated in multiple languages to reach different regions geographically. All the fame and accolades that "My Name is Cinnamon" is getting is well-deserved. Here is congratulating the author, the creator of this book -Vikas Prakash Joshi for coming up with a unique and beautiful story.

I am participating in #TBRChallenge2024 by Blogchatter