Save Me a Seat takes a deep dive into the perspective of two 10-year-old boys to show that the assumptions we make about other people are often wrong. Authors Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan team up in this novel to give authentic voice to the dual protagonists. It is the first week of fifth grade at Einstein Elementary School for Ravi and Joe. Ravi, a bright student whose family immigrated from India, starts his first day of fifth grade in America full of confidence, only to have everything go wrong. While Joe, an observant student with auditory processing disorder, is already sure his year will be horrible. The pair of boys don’t start out as friends. In fact, Ravi makes some pretty harsh judgments about Joe, and, in turn, is judged by his other classmates and even his teacher. Surprisingly, what unites them, in the end, is the bully who picks on both of them.

At its core, Save Me a Seat presents a realistic story of today’s schools and students where people’s assumptions and perceptions influence the decisions they make, and the consequences of doing so.

Big Ideas: 

• A person's culture is represented in many aspects of their lives, including their names, foods, religions, clothing, and activities; understanding the culture of others is critical in showing respect for individuals in our communities.

• Assumptions can be destructive. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

• Bullying negatively affects people. To combat bullying, people must work towards a more inclusive world, where people’s differences are valued. 

• A person's family directly affects their values and beliefs. 

• No two people will share the exact same perspective of an event, which can lead to conflict or confusion.