The Door Is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices

Eleven interconnected short stories follow young South Asian protagonists in fictional Maple Grove, New Jersey. The Maple Grove Community Center connects the stories, hosting a chess tournament, badminton and cooking classes, and a wedding. In one story, Chaya meets a rival who previously made racist comments about Indian people. Family relationships appear throughout the collection, while the center itself becomes a shared concern when its funding is threatened. The final story brings civic engagement and activism into focus as the community responds.