Count Me In

Varsha Bajaj’s Count Me In (2019) is a middle grade novel set in contemporary Houston, Texas. Written in the first person, its chapters alternate between the perspectives of main characters Karina Chopra and Chris Daniels. The last thing Karina and Chris expect is to become friends—that is, until Karina’s grandfather tutors Chris in math. After the characters are violently attacked by a racist man on the street, Karina and Chris learn how to stand up for themselves and to support one another with the help of their friends and family. The novel explores themes including Self-Advocacy and Resilience, the Power of Friendship and Community, and Tolerance and Acceptance.

This guide refers to the 2022 Nancy Paulsen Books paperback edition of the novel.

Content Warning: The novel contains references to and descriptions of racism and anti-immigrant violence.

Plot Summary

Karina Chopra and Chris Daniels have been next-door neighbors since the third grade. They ride the bus together and have had some classes together in the past, but have never been friends. When they start seventh grade at Spring Hill Middle School in Houston, Texas, they’re both horrified to discover that they’re in numerous classes together. Karina particularly dreads seeing Chris more often because he laughed at her last year when his basketball friends bullied her for how she looked. As a third-generation Indian American immigrant, Karina knows that she’s different from her classmates. However, she wants to have a good year and doesn’t want these past hurtful experiences to upset her. Chris also has mixed feelings about seeing Karina at school. He doesn’t dislike Karina but feels guilty for what happened in sixth grade and doesn’t know how to apologize to Karina and make amends.

Karina’s paternal grandfather Shiv Chopra, or Papa, comes to live with her and her parents, Jay and Trisha. Karina loves Papa and is glad she’ll get to spend more time at home with him while her parents are working. However, Karina’s parents get frustrated when Papa starts doing chores around the house without asking their opinions first. One day, Trisha suggests that Papa volunteer as a math tutor at Karina’s school to keep busy.

Chris’s parents sign him up for math tutoring sessions when his teacher threatens to enroll him in a lower-level math class. Chris is assigned to Karina’s grandfather, Shiv, whom Chris calls Mr. C. Chris quickly discovers how much he likes Mr. C and how much Mr. C is helping him improve his grades. Mr. C even invites Chris home for extra tutoring. As a result, Chris and Karina start spending more time together. Karina decides to let go of what happened in the past, and Chris tries to be friendlier to make up for his unkindness.

After school one day, a strange man approaches Chris, Karina, and Shiv when they’re walking home together. The stranger verbally attacks Karina and Shiv because of how they look. He then takes out a knife, knocks Shiv to the ground, and kicks him. A reporter named Anne Maxwell sees the incident and calls the police. An ambulance arrives and races Shiv to the hospital, where he has to get surgery for his injuries.

While Shiv heals in the hospital, Karina and Chris struggle to make sense of what happened to them. They discover that they are the only ones who really understand what they went through. Karina starts posting pictures on social media about what happened to her, Chris, and her grandfather. Many people comment on and share the posts, which comforts her. Meanwhile, Karina and Chris’s friends create a memorial at the place where the attack happened. Friends and family members bring cards and flowers to the site. In time, Karina even speaks up for herself and her family in a television interview with Anne.

A few weeks later, Shiv is released from the hospital and rehabilitation center. Karina and Chris host a welcome-home event for him at the memorial. Shiv, overwhelmed by the love his community is showing him, says a few words about his immigrant experience and how proud he is to be an American. That night, Chris comes over to the Chopras’ house for cake. Family and friends sit outside together and reflect on everything they’ve experienced. Karina and Chris are especially grateful for their new friendship.