Yasemin Mahsud-McGinty is a fifteen-year-old Pakistani American living in Elmhurst, Chicago, with her parents Iftikhar Mahsud and Jennifer McGinty, and younger brother Sikander. It is three years since she lost an arm in a car accident when the family was vacationing in the Southern Indian hill station of Udagamandalam.
Yasemin’s maturing body leads to serious self-doubts. When she looks into a mirror, she sees a girl who stands at 5’4” with waist-length straight long black hair. Her deep-set chocolate brown eyes stare back at her rather impudently. Yes, she likes her eyes. Her nose? “Aquiline” is what her paternal granddad calls it; “Roman” is her Abu-jaan’s pronouncement. For younger brother Sikander, it’s a ‘beak.’ She herself thinks of it as ‘hooked,’ which isn’t perhaps that complimentary either. What else? Oh yes, her mouth. Rather full, the upper lip straight. Abu-jaan’s friend once commented on her high cheekbones, saying that they lent an intriguing accent to her face. Intriguing? Her long fingers were once her pride, but now she can’t even paint them properly. Self-pity seems to be the rule of the day.
She resorts to wearing a hijab and loose, long-sleeved shirts to cover up Medusa, the name she has given to her prosthetic arm, predicting that her damaged body (she adopts the term ‘unfinish’d’ from Shakespeare’s The Life and Death of Richard the III) would turn boys into stone, especially her neighbor Jeremy Cohen. She plunges ever more deeply into navel-gazing, until a new student (Nirmala Rao-Sumatzkuku) forces her to reassess her own life.
Nirmala Rao-Sumatzkuku is a fifteen-year-old Native American/South-Asian, the only child of Mahesh Rao and Chu’si Sumatzkuku, and born with Cerebral Palsy. Her stock of tales is infinite: fairy-tales, poems, limericks, even jokes. And one day, on her eleventh birthday, she shows her parents something on her computer: a libretto for a comic opera with the title “My soul for a donut.”
When she looks into a mirror, she is proud of the purple and green highlights that are exactly where she wants them in her short black hair. The shortness of her hair shocks her Hopi grandmother in Tucson - Hopi belief in long hair is tied to the earth and nature. And cutting one’s hair is an outward symbol of sadness at a death in the family. Her less traditional paternal grandmother in Hyderabad, India, approves, which makes her Nirmala’s favorite confidant! Dressing is the most difficult chore of the day. Because she has difficulty raising her arms, the top has snap closures on either shoulder that completely opens up to allow her to slide her arms into the garment without having to lift her arms. She loves the slogan on the front of each of her tops:
“CEREBRAL PALSY SLOWS ME DOWN,
BUT IT AIN’T STOPPIN’ ME!!!”
Her mother has to help her into wrap waist jeans. Her legs are practically non-functional, a sorry excuse for something that was supposed to prop you up. But she has to wear shoes, and Nike’s Flyease sneakers are super comfortable. She whispers every day: Thank you, LeBron James! as she bends down to slip her feet into them. And now comes the part that she loves: makeup. She doesn’t need any help at all with it. A bit of mascara to enhance the amber of her eyes. Her eyes are the best part of her – wide-set, with a slight squint that she deliberately, mischievously exaggerates when people stare at her. The arched row of tiny silver and gold studs in each ear that she never takes off shines from her pointy ears. “Makes me look a little like Dobby!”
Like Yasemin, she despairs of ever attracting a boy. The looks of forced pity, sometimes even disgust, that she catches every time she is outside – in the grocery store, in a movie theater, in the park – she is so tired of them. But when she is home, away from all that rejection, her parents’ unconditional love sometimes stifles her. She has to convince them to let her attend a brick-and-mortar school. Meeting other teens would be a challenge, but a change. And her voice synthesizer might impress them too, might even get the attention – albeit platonic – of Ivan Äkerman, a member of the school’s Model UN class.
Kamakshi P. Murti 
Excerpts from some recent reviews of my “Yasemin and Nirmala: A Tale of Two Teens”:
Sameer Gudhate (4.0 out of 5 stars):
“Yasemin and Nirmala: A Tale of Two Teens” is a heartwarming and inspiring novel that delves into the challenges faced by teenage girls dealing with disabilities and immigrant backgrounds. Kamakshi P. Murti’s captivating narrative offers a glimpse into the complexities of teen life in today’s immigrant societies, highlighting themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and resilience.
DR AZAD: (5.0 out of 5 stars)
Yasemin and Nirmala, two young girls dealing with physical limitations while navigating the difficulties of being immigrants, are the protagonists of the tale. Yasemin lost her arm in a traffic accident, and Nirmala was born with cerebral palsy, both of which caused them to see their bodies as ‘unfinished.’ As the end-of-the-year production of “Seussical the Musical” approaches, they want to be a part of it but are afraid of being rejected or mocked. However, as their friendship grows stronger, they discover their inner strength and the bravery to achieve their aspirations. They discover that their distinct characteristics make them unstoppable.
Sabari: (4.0 out of 5 stars):
We would go through a lot of struggles in our lives which at times makes us feel demotivated. There will be situations which test our determination and stability. Ever thought of the people with physical deformities? Honestly, this book, made me understand life from the perspective of physically challenged people. The characters of Yasemin and Nirmala were beautifully designed and I personally fell in love with their “fighting through all the odds” mentality. It literally gave me a positive attitude towards my life and my struggles too. Though they fight with their physical challenges now, they were also facing some other problems as they were immigrants. But, all these struggles never stopped them from running behind their beautiful dreams. Another good thing to mention is all about the bond between Yasemin and Nirmala. The author has sensibly handled the characters of the protagonists. This is the first time I read a book which had the protagonists with disabilities and I was completely invested into their perspectives, their struggles and was able to get emotionally connected to them. This was one worthy read for me in recent times. I would for sure recommend this book to all my fellow readers as well!
Sagar Naskar: (5.0 out of 5 stars)The moving and endearing coming-of-age tale Yasemin and Nirmala by Kamakshi P. Murti beautifully conveys the hardships and victories of young women confronting numerous obstacles, including being immigrants and having impairments. The story sheds light on the realities of young people in immigrant societies while exploring themes of resiliency, friendship, and the strength of dreams.
Despite having similar physical impairments, Yasemin and Nirmala find comfort and strength in one another’s company. Despite their desire to take part in the year-end production of “Seussical the Musical,” they are extremely afraid of being rejected and teased. However, as their relationship grows stronger, they realize their full potential and muster the courage to accept their individuality.
adhilaxmiconcepts
4.0 out of 5 stars
🌟 Heartwarming and Inspiring 🌟
Dive into the world of Yasemin and Nirmala, two extraordinary girls facing challenges head-on with courage and resilience. 💪🏼 Their journey of self-discovery and friendship will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.
🌺 Their disabilities and immigrant backgrounds only make them stronger and more determined to pursue their dreams.
💞 Unstoppable Bond 💞
Join Yasemin and Nirmala as they navigate the ups and downs of teenage life together. As they forge an unbreakable bond, they discover the strength within themselves to overcome any obstacle. 💕
🌟 You’ll find yourself relating to the struggles and triumphs of Yasemin and Nirmala.
🌟 A Powerful Journey 🌟
The well-paced plot keeps you hooked, rooting for our protagonists as they chase their dreams fearlessly. 🎭 You won’t be able to put the book down, eager to see how their story unfolds.
👏🏼 Resilience and Friendship 👏🏼
Witness the incredible power of friendship as Yasemin and Nirmala show us that together, we can conquer anything. 🌟 Their inspiring journey will leave you with a renewed sense of hope.
🌟 A Compelling Read 🌟
Kamakshi Murti’s portrayal of these characters and their emotional journey is simply masterful.