Ravi discusses how most people in America mispronounce both his first and last name; the last syllable of his first name is supposed to be emphasized because it means the sun in Sanskrit. His fifth-grade teacher, however, like most other people, incorrectly emphasizes the first syllable, which annoys Ravi, although he does not correct her.

Ravi discusses moving with his family from Bangalore to Hamilton and the changes that he now faces: no servants to make his food or drive him places and his grandparents now live with him: “We speak mostly English at home and I went to an English-medium school, but for some reason, people here in New Jersey have trouble understanding me when I speak” (5). Ravi’s grandmother, or Perimma, warns him not to become too Americanized. Ravi thinks about what a good student he was at his old school, Vidya Mandir, while his teacher mispronounces his name.

Ravi sees Dillon, the only other Indian kid in his class. After prompting by the teacher, Ravi stands up to introduce himself to the class, who all laugh at his formal manners and occasional misuse of words. Mrs. Beam tries to comfort him, saying that he can work with

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