Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

Samar is a seventeen-year old girl, who lives with her divorced mom in New Jersey, who has a busy life at school, her best friend Molly and her boyfriend. Its a few days after the horrible terrorist attacks in New York when a strange man she doesn't know is standing on her doorway. He is her uncle Sandeep and he really wants to see his sister and Samar again after all those years.

This is the start for Samar to learn more about her Sikh heritage. Her mom never told her much about it, and uncle Sandeep wants the family to get back together. Samar never has seen her grandparents from her mother's side, and with uncle Sandeep she visits them for the first time, and goes to a Sikh temple with him to learn more about her culture and she starts questioning her heritage and who she really is.

One afternoon when she is in the car with Sandeep, boys from her school throw rocks at his car, shouting things to him that he is a terrorist and to go home where he came from. Things get difficult from this point for Samar, because one of the stone throwing guys is the brother of her boyfriend. Sam realizes she could be in danger -- and also discovers how dangerous ignorance can be..

I LOVED, loved, loved Shine, Coconut Moon!! As I am a big fan of books between cultures, this books was just a straight hit. Neesha Meminger's writing is gripping and impressing, and the story was very intense. It was just great how Samar learned more about who she really is, but sad to read how prejudiced some people around her acted. It is also a wonderful introduction into Samar's heritage and culture, Sikhism, which I haven't seen any YA novels about yet. The most impressing YA novel I have read in a while. An important read for every young adult, don't miss out!!