The New Girl

Read Aloud 🎧

Author: Srividhya Venkat is a children’s writer who creates stories that often focus on everyday situations and relationships. Her work explores themes like empathy, inclusion, and friendship in simple and relatable ways.

Source: https://storyweaver.org.in/en/users/4674-srividhya-venkat

Illustrator: Sayan Mukherjee studied at the Indian Art College in Kolkata. He works in advertising and is interested in illustration. He has created illustrations for publishers like Tulika, Puffin Books, Hachette India, and Rupa. This is his first book with Pratham Books.

Source: https://storyweaver.org.in/en/users/13714-sayan-mukherjee

Publisher: Pratham Books 

Year: 2016

Reading Level: Level 3

Genre: Realistic fiction

Synopsis 

The story follows Mira, who notices a new girl named Zenie at her bus stop. Zenie is ignored and sometimes teased because she looks different. Mira remembers her own experience of being new and decides to be kind. She befriends Zenie, supports her and encourages her to take part in a class activity. On the day of the presentation, Zenie shares her culture through a traditional dress and dance from Mizoram. Slowly, the class begins to accept her. The story shows how small acts of kindness can help someone feel included.

Theme / Skill

1. Inclusion; 
2. Empathy; 
3. Diversity

Pre-reading

• Ask children if they have ever been new in a place. How did they feel?
• Show the cover and ask who the “new girl” might be and what her story could be.
• Talk briefly about how diversity in India.

During reading

• Pause when Zenie is sitting alone and ask children how they think she feels.
• Discuss why some children call her names and whether that is fair.
• When Mira helps Zenie, ask why her actions matter.

Post-reading

• Discuss what students can do if they see someone being left out.
• Ask children to share one way they can make a new student feel welcome.
• Activity: children choose a partner, get familiar with each others' ethnicity and then draw/write about it.

Reflection 

This story shows a situation that many of us are familiar with. A new child comes and feels left out. That part is pretty solid. Mira is kind and notices Zenie and includes her. Small actions like sharing food or sitting together are shown as important. This is useful for young readers to see.

But I also kept thinking about something else. Zenie only becomes accepted after Mira supports her and after she performs in front of the class. It makes me wonder why she had to prove herself to be accepted. Why was being herself not enough from the start? It also feels like Zenie needs someone to speak for her before others listen. Mira becomes that bridge. While this shows friendship, it also shows that acceptance is not automatic. It depends on someone already inside the group. The class changes only after Zenie presents her culture and performs well. So acceptance comes after she shows something interesting or impressive. This can send a mixed message. It can feel like you have to earn your place.

But the story does open up a conversation. It shows how difference is treated and how slowly attitudes can change. It also shows how one child’s action can shift things, even if not fully. So the story is gentle, but there is a lingering question - Who gets accepted easily and who has to work for it?

References

Venkat, S. (2016). The New Girl. Pratham Books.