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247th out of 375 books
—
877 voters
Saraswati's Way
If the gods wanted Akash to have an education, he is told, they would give him one. But Akash has spent his entire twelve years poor and hungry. So he decides to take control of his own life and try for a scholarship to the city school where he can pursue his beloved math. But will challenging destiny prove to be more than he has bargained for? In this raw and powerful nov...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
November 9th 2010
by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
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At one point, Akash, the hero of Saraswati's Way, is asked what it's like to read by one of many illiterate boys he meets and he replies: “It’s like going to different places without leaving where you are." Esteemed Reader, I cannot think of a finer way to describe Saraswati’s Way to you. This book is a portal to another world not often seen in American fiction, the world of India through the eyes of a peasant child. It’s a world that will equally tantalize and haunt you.
Like many Americans, I’l...more
Like many Americans, I’l...more
Akash is 12 years old, living with his extended family in their Indian village, and dreams of learning more about math and numbers. He is excellent with figures and can mentally solve many math problems—bu he has learned all his teacher has to offer, and his family cannot afford to get him a tutor or send him on to a higher level of school. But then tragedy strikes, and he is forced to work off his family's debt in a quarry. He escapes, but only to become a street child in Delhi, where he starts...more
The main character, Akash, is every math teacher's dream student. He loves math and has a gift for it. Unlike here in the United States where students can get a free education, Akash must have a scholarship to continue going to school. His tutor has taught him all he knows. Akash is not going to fool himself. He knows they don't have the money. His father works hard to support all of them. That includes his grandmother and his uncle who is addicted to opium and gambles away their money. The mone...more
Saraswati's Way is a fictional account of what could be a very true story for thousands of street children living in India. The author does a fantastic job painting the picture of squalor and hopelessness that these kids experience. The character development is strong as is the setting. It is very easy to picture where the story takes place. The author also injects information regarding an ancient Indian math system, Hinduism and its many forms, and perseverance into the story in very creative w...more
Initial reaction: Very unexpected surprise. I didn't expect to enjoy this novel as much as I did, particularly with it being a random read that I picked up from my local library. I thought the environment and details with respect to India were a nice touch, and I really liked following Akash's journey and the various characters he comes across. Ultimately this is a story of a boy who wants nothing more than to learn and get a good education, but he weathers some tough spells in the process.
Full...more
Full...more
I was really glad to see this realistic children's fiction book set in India. The author obviously knows a lot about the culture and provides a glossary in the back for children reading the book who are unfamiliar with the terms.
Akash is twelve years old and obsessed with math. It's his passion and he dearly wants to continue his schooling. But his family is poor, and after the death of his father, he is forced to go work in a quarry to pay off the family's debt. But Akash won't stay. He sees t...more
Akash is twelve years old and obsessed with math. It's his passion and he dearly wants to continue his schooling. But his family is poor, and after the death of his father, he is forced to go work in a quarry to pay off the family's debt. But Akash won't stay. He sees t...more
This was a great vehicle for understanding more about Indian culture and the overwhelming poverty prevalent there. Akash's father dies, leaving him with a grandmother who quickly sends him off to work in the rock quarry to pay off family debts. Because Akash has an amazing gift with mathematics he figures out his debt will never be paid off and jumps a train to Dehli. Even though he makes a few choices that take him in the opposite direction of his dream to attend school again, he eventually mee...more
Reading Level: Grades 5 - 7
After his father dies, 12-year-old Akash's grandmother turns him over to the cruel owner of a quarry to work off the family's debt. Oppressed by the unbearable working conditions and the realization that the loan will never be paid off, Akash runs away to Delhi where he struggles to survive on his own.
I you enjoyed this tale of a third world kid surviving on his own, try:
I Am a Taxi by Deborah Ellis,
Trash by Andy Mulligan and
AK by Peter Dickinson
For more book reviews f...more
After his father dies, 12-year-old Akash's grandmother turns him over to the cruel owner of a quarry to work off the family's debt. Oppressed by the unbearable working conditions and the realization that the loan will never be paid off, Akash runs away to Delhi where he struggles to survive on his own.
I you enjoyed this tale of a third world kid surviving on his own, try:
I Am a Taxi by Deborah Ellis,
Trash by Andy Mulligan and
AK by Peter Dickinson
For more book reviews f...more
In Rajasthan, 12-year-old Akash loves math and dreams of earning a scholarship. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of wisdom and it is in her that he rests his hopes. After his father’s death, however, his grandmother sends him to work in a quarry to pay off the family’s debt. Akash ends up as a street kid in New Delhi, a fate that for many children is quite dismal. The book does not have a great deal of substance. However, I might give to a pre-teen to spark an interest in another culture.
Akash has a desire to learn and a way with numbers. When a family tragedy forces him to quit school and work to pay off his family's debts, he decides to make his own way in the world. Despite harrowing situations - including drugs, poverty, and dishonesty, he never gives up trying to find a way to learn and continue his education. This book does not shy away from painful and disturbing topics, but it does highlight the resiliency of a determined spirit.
Akash has a difficult life, and then his father dies and his grandmother sells him to work in a rock quarry to pay off the family debts. He decides to take life into his own hands and runs away in search of an eduction. Due to his own sense of values -- he is taken up by several good people who are willing to help him. It is a story of a young man with drive and ambition, who works hard -- takes some hard knocks and the in the end succeeds.
This is the first book I have received through Goodreads First Reads and I found it very enthralling. The character of Akash has your interest from the start and quickly gains your heart as well. The author does a beautiful job of seamlessly interweaving information about Hindi religion, Indian food, and the plight of homeless children in big cities into the narrative. I would recommend this book for children in grades 4 through 6.
May 17, 2013
Lindsay
added it
This book was truly influential. I could feel Akash's pain, see his life, and most importantly, relate. I could feel his triumphs, view his history, and I knew how he felt. This is one of the most well written books I have read, and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anybody who needs a good book to read.
I am so glad I won this book through Good-Reads First Reads. This is a book about a street child in India who wants nothing more than to get an education but has been taught that is only possible if the fates allow it. He decides he wants an education so bad that he is going to take matters into his own hands and go for it. This book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life on the streets of India. You will find your heart breaking for Akash's circumstances but will be inspired by his p...more
I liked this a lot better than Boys Without Names, and it's not entirely different. There was a lot of action in this novel about an Indian boy trying to improve his life through education. It's very sad how his grandmother gives him over to slavery to pay off their debt, but he always finds a solution to his problems! Thank goodness everything turns out perfect in the end.
Great book about a boy who's family can no longer afford to care for him and how he is taken under the wing of several characters as he tries to earn money to take advanced math classes because he loves numbers and is very smart. He encounters many different obstacles and perseveres.
A very nicely written novel for young readers. I loved the way Monika wove culture and math into an intriguing story of longing and loss. One can see the love she has for a place she has lived and how much she has learned. I highly recommend this book!
Wow! A must-read for every kid; to think their are children in the world who want to go to school! This third world child is clawing his way up in order to learn more math and there are children in this country who piddle away their advantage. They don't even know what they are throwing away.
A moving, inspiring story about a young Indian boy determined to improve his lot in life. Many details about Indian society and Hinduism are adeptly woven into the story to make for a rich, flavorful novel.
May 01, 2013
Laci
added it
Hated the ending. I can't believe they sniffed glue. Weird, but overall, intriguing.
The back cover gave me the feeling that it will be an interesting read but it was quite ordinary..atleast for me!
Ancient India, student recommendation
Excellent
The writing was simple and straightforward but still well done. I rounded up but I would definitely recommend it.
India
I am very upset that the book ended before Akash officially got into school. I was also heartbroken to read about some of the things Akash and the other street boys had to endure. Akash made some bad decisions, but in the end he did what was right.
Read Mecheles review at:
http://www.readforyourfuture.net/Sara...
http://www.readforyourfuture.net/Sara...
May 17, 2013
Nachatira
marked it as to-read
May 10, 2013
Carey
marked it as to-read
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Feb 28, 2011 11:24am