Books about mixed race identity

[AlexaShutUp]

DD is 15 and mixed race (white/South Asian). Overall, she loves her diverse heritage and is proud of it, and as parents, we have tried hard over the years to give her plenty of exposure to both cultures.

However, there are certain things that dd finds difficult, like not feeling that she 100% fits into either ethnicity and trying to work out what that means for her own identity. I don't think this is a problem for her on a day to day basis - she knows that she is loved, has tons of friends and generally feels a strong sense of belonging to the various groups of which she is a part. However, making sense of her dual heritage and what that actually means for her is clearly something that is important to her, and I am keen to support her with this, even though I can't directly share her experience.

It strikes me that working out that sense of identity and where they fit in might be a common theme for lots of mixed race people, and I wondered if anyone could suggest any good books - fiction or non-fiction - on the subject that might help dd work through how she feels about this. Anything with a south Asian perspective would be of particular interest, but other suggestions would also be welcome.

TIA

[AlexaShutUp]

Anyone? I have looked on Google but can't quite find the right thing. They're either quite US focused or else very negative! Any suggestions would be welcomed!

[Yolande7]

A bit of a long shot: "Does my head look big in this?" is about a Muslim girl in Australian society, so not exactly what you are looking for. However, the general themes of having to find your place and of figuring out your identity are there.

You might find more on amightygirl.com. They cover many topics.

[Charley50]

I loved Anita and me, by Meera Syal, about growing up Asian in 80s Northern England with a white English best friend, but the author isn't mixed heritage.. Tbh I found that growing up with mixed heritage just is what it is. Good points, bad points etc.

Personally I always liked some aspects of having two heritages, and didn't like others (e.g. liked the food from both sides, but didn't like the misogynistic culture from one side). I'm white but from two very different cultural backgrounds. I've noticed, in the Guardian, articles about the 'pain' and 'otherness' of being mixed-heritage but that is such a negative viewpoint of a what is a perfectly normal thing as far as I'm concerned. Your dd isn't 100% either ethnicity, but that is neither a good or bad thing, it just is. I actually find being mixed heritage embeds an understanding of there not being one 'right' way to be, which leads to being an open-minded and accepting adult.

Sorry for long, rambling post, and no relevant book recommendation! Maybe she could write her own!