At long last, Alli is reading and discussing the book that has been most frequently recommended to her by guests and listeners in 2020 and 2021: Linda Sue Park’s Prairie Lotus. This book presents a long overdue perspective about the same (highly complicated) era romanticized by Laura Ingalls Wilder and explores matters of race, xenophobia, loss, Otherness, and assault. On Episode 170, Alli and her guest discuss the importance of embracing one’s full identity, the depiction of Native American culture in Prairie Lotus, the pressures placed on children and women of color, and so much more. Enjoy this third week of New Reads November 2021! Veera Hiranandani is the author of several highly-acclaimed, award-winning books, including The Night Diary and The Whole Story of Half a Girl. Her new book — How to Find What You’re Not Looking For — is now available. Follow Veera on Instagram (@veerawrites) and Twitter (@VeeraHira).