The signs and wonders of Tuna Rashad
Aspiring screenwriter Altuna Rashad has big plans for the last summer before she leaves Ontario, California, for the college in Georgia, the most important of which is securing the loving attention of her crush, Tristan Dangerfield; however she also has to get out from the obsessive over-protectiveness of her older brother, Robby, who mocks their family's devotion to the old Caribbean traditions and superstitions, while grieving the loss of his life partner, David--Tuna is convinced the omens prove that the ancestors are on her side, but sometimes the ancestors need a little help from the living.
Available Copies by Location
Location | |
---|---|
Community Centre | Available |
Browse Related Items
Genre |
Young adult fiction. Fiction. |
- ISBN: 9780762478682
- Physical Description 252 pages ; 23 cm
- Edition First edition.
- Publisher [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 2022.
Additional Information
Kirkus Review
The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad
Kirkus Reviews
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Tuna has a plan--many, in fact--but despite her heart's being in the right place, each is noticeably worse than the last and guaranteed to lead to unwelcome shenanigans. As an aspiring screenwriter who's proud of her heritage, Altuna "Tuna" Kashmir Rashad sees the world in terms of story structures and superstitions, often to the frustration of her friends and tightknit multiracial Caribbean American family. So whether it's her intention to manufacture a real-life love story for herself the summer before college or plotting to get her older brother, Robby, back on the market via an online dating profile he knows nothing about, sometimes Tuna's focus on plot beats and divine signs makes her oblivious to the feelings of others. Her family is still mourning the sudden and tragic death of Robby's husband; Robby's emotional needs, however, are inexplicable to Tuna. Regardless of explicit guidance from her parents to be more supportive and her best friend's opinion that she may be a bit insensitive if not delusional, she believes he needs to move on and make a fresh start. In this, Tuna is a frustrating protagonist to root for, just as her stodgy wordplay and semispiritual quirks may not be every reader's cup of tea, but as tensions boil over with her brother and her love interest, the transition from hijinks-laden scheming to emotionally earnest and thoughtful is worthwhile. Genuine growth is hard to script but easy to find here. (Fiction. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Publishers Weekly Review
The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad
Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Deen (Lark has the Shivers) handily navigates sudden loss and elusive love by blending art, science, and spirituality in this breezy romance. Multiracial ("vanilla-chocolate") Canadian Altuna "Tuna" Rahsad, 18 and an aspiring screenwriter, relies on signs, omens, and guidance from her Caribbean ancestors to carefully plot out her life. This summer, she plans on using these influences to craft the perfect romance with her crush, Tristan Dangerfield. But Tuna feels that her older brother Robby--who's still reeling from his husband's death--is constantly prying into her life and hindering her fledgling relationship. Eager to kick-start their lives again, Tuna, unknown to Robby, creates and manages an online dating profile for him. But when Tuna's insistence that he move on causes tension in their family, she realizes that her single-minded pursuit of a movie-worthy life might mean forfeiting the things she cares about most. Even when Tuna sheds her meticulous planning, her and Tristan's romantic chemistry never quite takes off, and Tuna's perceived lack of empathy for Robby's emotional needs both proves occasionally vexxing and stalls character growth. Nevertheless, Deen's strong-willed and decisive supporting cast, their clever banter, and Tuna's meddling shenanigans provide good humor. Ages 13--up. Agent: Amy Tompkins, Transatlantic Literary. (June)