Karina Koppikar
About the Book
Kasi Arya, a high-achieving Indian-American senior, is used to balancing the pressures of academic success with the pain of cultural isolation. But when her beloved grandfather dies, she uncovers a hidden family history marked by the trauma of the India-Pakistan Partition and her mother’s escape from violence in Kashmir. At the same time, her school is ridden with racism. She battles college applications, grief, and microaggressive rhetoric all at the same time.
The same year, Talia Arends, a 25-year-old Jewish teacher returns to her hometown to begin her first year in the classroom amidst the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict and the disappearance of her relatives overseas. Talia is emotionally unraveling, but she chooses to put teaching first, eventually meeting Kasi.
When Kasi and Talia discover that they both wear six-pointed star necklaces, symbols of two different faiths, they form a profound connection. They begin to see that their stories, though shaped by different histories, mirror each other in unexpected ways.
In a world where faith often divides, this young adult fiction novel tells a story about what happens when we let it unite us instead.
"Ms. Koppikar's debut shows great promise. She has deftly woven a compelling tale that simultaneously addresses the contemporary issues of religious and cultural intolerance, and teens juggling high school and family dynamics in a conservative Indian-American family."
"Karina narrates wonderfully, bringing out the minds of today’s women in a competitive transition and preparing them for their future."
"Six-Point Star is an inspiring and beautifully written novel that will resonate with teenagers and adults alike. It encourages readers to reflect on their own beliefs, question the societal divisions they encounter, and approach others with an open heart and mind. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the transformative power of tolerance."