Fitting Indian, by Jyoti Chand

Book Review of Fitting Indian
The Children’s Book Review

Written by Jyoti Chand

Illustrated by Tara Anand

Ages 14+ | 284 Pages

Publisher: HarperAlley (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-0063237544

What to Expect: Graphic novel, South Asian American identity, family expectations, friendship, romance, mental health, resilience, and coming-of-age.

Fitting Indian is a bold and unflinching YA debut that explores the tightrope of bicultural identity, the suffocating weight of expectations, and the very real struggles of teenage mental health.

Nitasha lives between two worlds: at home, she’s expected to be the perfect Indian daughter—obedient, ambitious, and marriage-ready. At school, she longs to fit in with her American peers, even as her nickname, “India,” reminds her that she’s seen as different. When betrayals in friendship and romance pile on top of cultural pressure, Nitasha’s carefully hidden struggles with alcohol and self-harm spiral into crisis.

Jyoti Chand’s raw and honest storytelling, paired with Tara Anand’s evocative illustrations, captures both the humor and heartbreak of adolescence. Chand doesn’t shy away from complex subjects—depression, family conflict, and identity confusion—but grounds them in a voice that is authentic, witty, and heartbreakingly vulnerable. This isn’t a glossy teen drama; it’s a survival story about learning to seek help, speak up, and define yourself on your own terms. Readers will ache for Nitasha, cheer her resilience, and see the importance of compassion and community in pulling through life’s darkest moments.

Fitting Indian is not only a moving coming-of-age graphic novel—it’s a vital conversation starter about culture, mental health, and belonging—a must-read for fans of realistic YA who crave stories that are as brave as they are relatable.

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About the Author

Jyoti Chand, a.ka. @Mamajotes across social platforms, is a dynamic writer, comedian, and passionate advocate for self-care and maternal mental health. Fitting Indian is Jyoti’s first book and she is currently working on her second graphic novel with First Second Books, among other creative projects. Jyoti’s work inspires others to embrace the joy and authenticity in their own lives. With a foundation in stand-up comedy and improv, Jyoti captivates audiences through her highly engaging content across social and digital platforms, offering an unfiltered look into the realities of motherhood. Represented by Haley Henning at Glossary Artists. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University Originally from Los Angeles, she now resides in the Chicago suburbs with her family.

Follow her journey at mamajotes.com.

About the Illustrator

Tara Anand is an award-winning illustrator and visual artist from Mumbai, India, based in New York City. Her work has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, and the LA Times,on Netflix, and more. Fitting Indian is her debut graphic novel.

Visit her at taraanandart.com/about.