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Book Uncle #1
Book Uncle and Me
Every day, nine-year-old Yasmin borrows a book from Book Uncle, a retired teacher who has set up a free lending library next to her apartment building. But when the mayor tries to shut down the rickety bookstand, Yasmin has to take her nose out of her book and do something.
But what can she do? The local elections are coming up but she’s just a kid. She can’t even vote!
Still, Yasmin has friends — her best friend, Reeni, and Anil, who even has a black belt in karate. And she has grownup family and neighbors who, no matter how preoccupied they are, care about what goes on in their community.
Then Yasmin remembers a story that Book Uncle selected for her. It’s an old folktale about a flock of doves trapped in a hunter’s net. The birds realize that if they all flap their wings at the same time, they can lift the net and fly to safety, where they seek the help of a friendly mole who chews a hole in the net and sets them free.
And so the children get to work, launching a campaign to make sure the voices of the community are heard.
An energetic, funny and quirky story that explores the themes of community activism, friendship, and the love of books.
But what can she do? The local elections are coming up but she’s just a kid. She can’t even vote!
Still, Yasmin has friends — her best friend, Reeni, and Anil, who even has a black belt in karate. And she has grownup family and neighbors who, no matter how preoccupied they are, care about what goes on in their community.
Then Yasmin remembers a story that Book Uncle selected for her. It’s an old folktale about a flock of doves trapped in a hunter’s net. The birds realize that if they all flap their wings at the same time, they can lift the net and fly to safety, where they seek the help of a friendly mole who chews a hole in the net and sets them free.
And so the children get to work, launching a campaign to make sure the voices of the community are heard.
An energetic, funny and quirky story that explores the themes of community activism, friendship, and the love of books.
149 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
47 people are currently reading
1210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
January 7, 2017
Ten Second Synopsis:
Yasmin has a goal to read a book a day for the rest of her life, ably aided by Book Uncle, the man who runs a free little lending library on the corner of Yasmin's street. When Book Uncle receives a notice from the Council that he must close his book stand, Yasmin must find a way to change Council's mind and bring books back to her community.
Charming and humorous story about changing your world, for young independent readers. Even though this is a short book, it's chock full of underlying social issues and culturally interesting elements just ripe for discussion by young readers
Yasmin is delightfully flawed and determined and compassionate and an all around charming heroine. She speaks without thinking, then feels guilty for it, then tries to rectify her mistakes, then manages to mobilise a whole lot of strangers to her cause simply through her passion for it. If you are looking for realistic female protagonists in early chapter books, then look no further!
This book celebrates books and the people who read them. It celebrates the power of books to change people's lives in big and small ways, and to bring people together who otherwise have little in common.
This book wasn't written to be a "diverse" book, but if you aren't an Indian person reading it, it certainly fulfills that criteria. The story itself is completely transferable to any Western classroom in which civic education is a priority, but there are also lots of parts of the story that will inspire discussion about difference - particularly issues of access to free lending library resources and election processes.
Yasmin has a goal to read a book a day for the rest of her life, ably aided by Book Uncle, the man who runs a free little lending library on the corner of Yasmin's street. When Book Uncle receives a notice from the Council that he must close his book stand, Yasmin must find a way to change Council's mind and bring books back to her community.
Charming and humorous story about changing your world, for young independent readers. Even though this is a short book, it's chock full of underlying social issues and culturally interesting elements just ripe for discussion by young readers
Yasmin is delightfully flawed and determined and compassionate and an all around charming heroine. She speaks without thinking, then feels guilty for it, then tries to rectify her mistakes, then manages to mobilise a whole lot of strangers to her cause simply through her passion for it. If you are looking for realistic female protagonists in early chapter books, then look no further!
This book celebrates books and the people who read them. It celebrates the power of books to change people's lives in big and small ways, and to bring people together who otherwise have little in common.
This book wasn't written to be a "diverse" book, but if you aren't an Indian person reading it, it certainly fulfills that criteria. The story itself is completely transferable to any Western classroom in which civic education is a priority, but there are also lots of parts of the story that will inspire discussion about difference - particularly issues of access to free lending library resources and election processes.
January 23, 2022
What a beautiful book.
December 28, 2020
A young girl dreams of reading a book a day, but a pink slip from the city government demanding "Book Uncle" get a permit to peddle books from his free lending library thwarts her plans. She takes to heart the story learned in a book loaned to her, organizing a plan to help Book Uncle by contacting all mayoral candidates in the upcoming election. Will the campaign promise be empty or will the Book Uncle be allowed to resume his work? This cute chapter book praises reading and provides a good platform for discussing election processes and campaign promises. (3.5 stars)
June 14, 2021
Review coming up 🎼
September 24, 2018
Every day after school 9-year-old Yasmin zig-zags across the broken pavement to see what book Book Uncle recommends for her today. She is determined to read a book a day and with Book Uncle to provide free books, she's already read over 400! Book Uncle chooses the right book for the right person on the right day. When the mayor insists Book Uncle's stall is causing clutter on the streets and demands Book Uncle pay a fee for a permit Yasmin takes action.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I love the Book Uncle and his little free library. Not only does he provide free books but also readers' advisory, which is wonderful. liked the message about grassroots community activism but the outcome was a lot corny.
Even though this story takes place in India, I at first assumed it was New York or an amalgam of American cities. Sad but true fact American cities also have crumbling/cracked sidewalks and political corruption.
The first person present-tense narration drove me crazy. The opening line "Watch me zig-zag!" is a strange way to start a novel.
The illustrations are cute and depict the culture of the Indian city portrayed in the novel.
I think my nieces (and other 9 year olds) would like this book but it's not really for grown-ups.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I love the Book Uncle and his little free library. Not only does he provide free books but also readers' advisory, which is wonderful. liked the message about grassroots community activism but the outcome was a lot corny.
Even though this story takes place in India, I at first assumed it was New York or an amalgam of American cities. Sad but true fact American cities also have crumbling/cracked sidewalks and political corruption.
The first person present-tense narration drove me crazy. The opening line "Watch me zig-zag!" is a strange way to start a novel.
The illustrations are cute and depict the culture of the Indian city portrayed in the novel.
I think my nieces (and other 9 year olds) would like this book but it's not really for grown-ups.
June 7, 2019
9 yr old Yasmin loves to read and is horrified when she learns that the local free lending library stand gets shut down. This is a cute story about activism, friendship, politics and Indian culture. It is delightful that this story could have been taken place anywhere. Great theme just a bit slow. 2020 Nutmeg Nominee.
October 27, 2018
I love the different style of writing and the vocabulary words. I felt both the universality of the urban child's experiences and the uniqueness of the Indian perspective. The theme, of course, is important. All the characters are interesting... glimpses of the istri lady's life, and Reeni's family situation, and Rafiq Uncle, are only some of what could each have been at least another full chapter. But this is pared down to a quick read for 6-9 year-olds. I love all the descriptions of the foods, though again they were pared down. A glossary may have been helpful, but context clues were sufficient, and there's always the internet for further research.
I don't know if I'd recommend it to absolutely everybody, but I do recommend that every library system in the US gets a copy. Big points for multiculturalism/ diversity, of course.
Maybe not the best/ most typical example of the writing style, but this was cute: "If there were a feather handy, I could have tried it out to see if it worked as a knockdown weapon."
I don't know if I'd recommend it to absolutely everybody, but I do recommend that every library system in the US gets a copy. Big points for multiculturalism/ diversity, of course.
Maybe not the best/ most typical example of the writing style, but this was cute: "If there were a feather handy, I could have tried it out to see if it worked as a knockdown weapon."
December 14, 2017
I liked this story but found it a bit difficult to get into because it was set in India and used terms for which there was no glossary provided so that you could look up what they meant. It was disorienting. However, once I got into the characters and story, I was sucked right in. I enjoyed the unusual topic of young people and civic responsibility, standing up for a political candidate who would understand and respond to the needs of their constituents. Apparently this is not a community with an established public library like we have here in the U.S., which is why Book Uncle and his free lending library were so important to the neighborhood. This would make a great discussion book, especially around election time. Recommended!!
February 2, 2025
این کتاب با ردهی سنی +8 سال از نشر پاپلی چاپ شده و به مفاهیمی مثل دوستی، خونواده، اتحاد و کتابخونی میپردازه.
داستان در مورد دختری به نام یاسمینه که هر روز بعد از مدرسه، از پیرمردی به نام عمو کتابی یه کتاب برای خوندن قرض میگیره.
عمو کتابی، توی پیادهرو بساط داره و به همه کتاب قرض میده. تا اینکه یه روز یاسمین متوجه میشه طبق دستور شهرداری، عمو کتابی بخاطر نداشتن مجوز باید بساطش رو جمع کنه.
از اونجایی که زمان انتخابات فرا رسیده و قراره شهردار انتخاب بشه، یاسمین تصمیم میگیره به کمک دوستها، همسایهها و هر کسی که میشناسه به عمو کتابی کمک کنه.
آیا یاسمن موفق میشه؟ چه نقشهای برای کمک به عمو کتابی داره؟
داستان در مورد دختری به نام یاسمینه که هر روز بعد از مدرسه، از پیرمردی به نام عمو کتابی یه کتاب برای خوندن قرض میگیره.
عمو کتابی، توی پیادهرو بساط داره و به همه کتاب قرض میده. تا اینکه یه روز یاسمین متوجه میشه طبق دستور شهرداری، عمو کتابی بخاطر نداشتن مجوز باید بساطش رو جمع کنه.
از اونجایی که زمان انتخابات فرا رسیده و قراره شهردار انتخاب بشه، یاسمین تصمیم میگیره به کمک دوستها، همسایهها و هر کسی که میشناسه به عمو کتابی کمک کنه.
آیا یاسمن موفق میشه؟ چه نقشهای برای کمک به عمو کتابی داره؟
March 10, 2025
read for children’s literature class**
My first impression of this book is that I was excited that it was about lending libraries. I discovered lending libraries only a few years ago, and now they are something that I love coming across and I am always sure to stop when I see one. I was initially really drawn to Yasmin’s story because she loves reading and wants to read a book a day, and I can relate to her because reading is one of my biggest passions too. I have often taken part in challenges to read 7 books in 7 days or complete a 24-hour-read-a-thon or read 100 books a year, so I really felt like I could enjoy this story.
Even though I’m not part of Yasmin’s culture, I still didn’t feel like I was looking through a window because the author is really great at sharing parts of the culture with the reader, and as someone who loves books as I said, I felt reflected by Yasmin’s character in that sense.
I was really moved by the fact that it was a story about activism and that had children at the root of it because kids are often not taken seriously, and are made to feel that certain roles are for adults and they as children have limits. Sentences like “the grown ups are talking” or “when you’re older” are so common for children to hear, but in this case Yasmin and her friends got right into the “adult” business. The story really vouches for kids and their ability to make changes in areas we typically associate with adults (voting and politics) and that made me really enjoy reading it.
When I was reading it, I noticed that it’s pretty clear that I'm coming from a place where I’m not used to reading Children’s books for my own enjoyment anymore, but I think I just have to try and change my mindset and read more as my younger self, so we’ll see how that goes for the next readings.
My first impression of this book is that I was excited that it was about lending libraries. I discovered lending libraries only a few years ago, and now they are something that I love coming across and I am always sure to stop when I see one. I was initially really drawn to Yasmin’s story because she loves reading and wants to read a book a day, and I can relate to her because reading is one of my biggest passions too. I have often taken part in challenges to read 7 books in 7 days or complete a 24-hour-read-a-thon or read 100 books a year, so I really felt like I could enjoy this story.
Even though I’m not part of Yasmin’s culture, I still didn’t feel like I was looking through a window because the author is really great at sharing parts of the culture with the reader, and as someone who loves books as I said, I felt reflected by Yasmin’s character in that sense.
I was really moved by the fact that it was a story about activism and that had children at the root of it because kids are often not taken seriously, and are made to feel that certain roles are for adults and they as children have limits. Sentences like “the grown ups are talking” or “when you’re older” are so common for children to hear, but in this case Yasmin and her friends got right into the “adult” business. The story really vouches for kids and their ability to make changes in areas we typically associate with adults (voting and politics) and that made me really enjoy reading it.
When I was reading it, I noticed that it’s pretty clear that I'm coming from a place where I’m not used to reading Children’s books for my own enjoyment anymore, but I think I just have to try and change my mindset and read more as my younger self, so we’ll see how that goes for the next readings.
May 13, 2018
Bookworm Yasmin is pretty content with her life and well on her way to reading a book a day for the rest of her life. One day Book Uncle doesn't set up shop at his usual corner of the street and Yasmin soon learns it's up to her and her friends to bring Book Uncle back in business.
I originally picked up this chapter book for my daughter because the main character LOVES reading. Imagine my delight when it turns out that Yasmin isn't just an avid reader but a budding social activist as well. I appreciate how her passion for reading translates into standing up for what she believes in and using the laws in place to change things.
The feeling of community is very strong as well and it makes the setting (of the story) into a character in its own right. It was all done so seamlessly I'm in awe of the writing style.
Not once does the story sound preachy. In fact by the time you reach the end, the way everything comes together will make you tear up (or at the very least a tiny bit emotional). This is a book I absolutely want to have around so my daughter can revisit Yasmin's world whenever she wishes to.
I originally picked up this chapter book for my daughter because the main character LOVES reading. Imagine my delight when it turns out that Yasmin isn't just an avid reader but a budding social activist as well. I appreciate how her passion for reading translates into standing up for what she believes in and using the laws in place to change things.
The feeling of community is very strong as well and it makes the setting (of the story) into a character in its own right. It was all done so seamlessly I'm in awe of the writing style.
Not once does the story sound preachy. In fact by the time you reach the end, the way everything comes together will make you tear up (or at the very least a tiny bit emotional). This is a book I absolutely want to have around so my daughter can revisit Yasmin's world whenever she wishes to.
January 22, 2025
It's a cute story. I like the theme of children participating in civics, and the setting is great for exposure to other cultures. But... it's hard to explain... it's a story that would work best at maybe a 5th grade level, but it was written at a 1st grade level. The characters and writing style are very simple and surface level, which is fine for 1st grade.
But my 1st grader doesn't understand the content. Elections, candidates, permits, fines, televised political debates, corrupt politicians and business owners...? I mean I can explain what the words mean, and mostly she followed along. But the underlying concepts and intricate machinations of democracy were a bit over her head, and the story doesn't work if you don't get all of that.
At the same time, it would be too simple stylistically for an older kid. It would have been a better book if it was adjusted for an older audience and had more depth.
But my 1st grader doesn't understand the content. Elections, candidates, permits, fines, televised political debates, corrupt politicians and business owners...? I mean I can explain what the words mean, and mostly she followed along. But the underlying concepts and intricate machinations of democracy were a bit over her head, and the story doesn't work if you don't get all of that.
At the same time, it would be too simple stylistically for an older kid. It would have been a better book if it was adjusted for an older audience and had more depth.
February 5, 2014
Interspersed with black and white cartoon illustrations, this book looks just as interesting when you flick through it as the story actually is. Combining a story of getting involved to save something you believe in and an insight into another culture, Book Uncle was something a little different for this 7 - 10 year readership.
November 22, 2018
This is a nice story about a child taking steps to influence people's minds. I also like that it shows that sometimes there are unintentional consequences of something we do - the original letter, in this case.
July 31, 2020
This was an utterly delightful book that would be so good to teach children the wonderful results that can be achieved by working together. A great chapter book read aloud for younger children and independent reading for third grade and above.
Nine year old Yasmin lives in India and loves books. Her goal is to read one book every day for the rest of her life. But she and her family live in a lower class neighborhood, so her only access to books is Book Uncle. Book Uncle is an elderly man who, along with his wife, had collected books all of his life and now wanted to share them with others. He has a cart that he pushes out each day with a sign that says "Bring One Take One" and he is basically running a free lending library for all of his neighborhood. When someone mails a complaint letter to the unpopular mayor in town, he is told to buy a license for his cart or close down. Yasmin is devastated and decides to launch a letter writing campaign. Little does Yasmin know what will become an avalanche of support and help others learn the results that can be achieved by working together.
Nine year old Yasmin lives in India and loves books. Her goal is to read one book every day for the rest of her life. But she and her family live in a lower class neighborhood, so her only access to books is Book Uncle. Book Uncle is an elderly man who, along with his wife, had collected books all of his life and now wanted to share them with others. He has a cart that he pushes out each day with a sign that says "Bring One Take One" and he is basically running a free lending library for all of his neighborhood. When someone mails a complaint letter to the unpopular mayor in town, he is told to buy a license for his cart or close down. Yasmin is devastated and decides to launch a letter writing campaign. Little does Yasmin know what will become an avalanche of support and help others learn the results that can be achieved by working together.
May 24, 2021
When a book-loving girl sees her favorite book-lending corner, and Book Uncle, in danger of being closed down, she and her friends comes up with ideas on how to save their favorite place while a town election is underway. Through perseverance and community effort, they saved Book Uncle and learn what heroism is all about. Written for children, the author promotes the power of grassroot activism and the power of words in a way they can understand and visualize.
February 25, 2019
My daughter and I read this book together and loved this sweet story set in India about a girl who makes a big difference in her little community. I loved the little insights into Indian culture (a glossary of some of the terms would have been nice) and the emphasis on the importance of books and reading. Definitely recommend.
January 25, 2024
i read this as a possible novel for my second graders. overall it was a great book with a strong message for young readers to not only READ but learn how to use your voice and that just being you’re a kid doesn’t mean your opinion and voice isn’t valuable!! one dove cannot escape the net but many doves together can become strong survivors!!
October 17, 2017
A good beginning chapter book that could introduce students to life in India as well as activism...
January 12, 2020
So sweet! Yasmin is a brave little girl who fights for books, so obviously I love her as a character!
September 7, 2020
This book takes place in India, and is a great example of how kids can do their part in shaping our democracy, especially at the local level.
Read
March 27, 2025MH Reads 2025
October 26, 2022
Great book for third grade; looking at putting this into our school curriculum. Lots of good exposure to Indian culture, with themes of a love of reading, poverty, kindness, standing up for what is right, voting for good leaders, etc. Seems like a great discussion book!
April 4, 2020
Fellow book lovers and strong sense of community made this enjoyable
November 22, 2021
This book has a very coming of age feel to it. The main character realizes she can make a difference in her life. The book includes a theme of activism. Published 2012. International project. Realistic fiction.
December 27, 2016
Yasmin, 9, loves to read and her goal is to read a book a day forever. So far, she has read over 400 hundred books. Everyday after school, Yasmin visits Book Uncle, a retired teacher and widower, who runs a free lending library near her apartment. Book Uncle's motto is "Right Book for the right person for the right day," but when he gives Yasmin two books one day, she is a little taken aback. One is an old Indian story, too easy for her. But he insists, and it is a story the she finds herself pondering all weekend long, and even in class Monday, to the annoyance of her teacher, Mrs. Rao.
Later, when Yasmin returns her book, she finds a very unhappy Book Uncle. His books still in their boxes, and holding a summons, Book Uncle has been told by the mayor that he must get a permit which he cannot afford in order to continue his free lending library.
At the same time, Yasmin discovers there is to be an election soon to elect a new mayor. Yasmin's friend Anil is rooting for Karate Samuel, a popular action movie actor, to win, but his is running against the current mayor, S.L. Yogaraja, or Mayor SLY for short, who seems to be the front runner.
Not willing to lose Book Uncle, Yasmin begins a grassroots movement to save his library, enlisting the help of friends, neighbors and her schoolmates, and finally getting a campaign promise from Karate Samuel that he will support Book Uncle. And it doesn't hurt that Yasmin and her fellow activists discover the real reason the the Mayor SLY issued the summons to get rid of Book Uncle.
Is it too late to help Book Uncle and save the Free Lending Library? Or can a grassroots movement begun by a 9 year-old girl really make a difference?
Book Uncle and Me is an absolutely charming story about a book worm turned activist. Yasmin is an chatty, energetic, sometimes sassy, other times caring and considerate character, a protagonist that readers will certainly be able to relate to. I loved seeing her struggle to find the meaning to the old Indian story Book Uncle gave her to read, and how she is eventually able to relate it to her attempts to save the library. And I think her dedication to the cause will serve as inspiration for young readers who may feel they can't make a difference.
Yasmin's story is also a nice slice of life story. Shopping with her mother, and a visit from her overbearing uncle are not really necessary to the fight to help Book Uncle, but at a nice dimension to the story. And along the way, readers are introduced to some wonderful Indian elements of Yasmin's everyday life, from her flip-floppy chappals to her neighbor who plays a a traditional Indian ghatam, a musical clay pot, to favorite Indian foods like coconut puttu, and the wonderful istri lady"who does peoples ironing for them (istri describe the flat iron she uses for ironing).
Book Uncle and Me is a book I highly recommend, with themes perfect for young readers - friendship, community, family and making a difference.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
Later, when Yasmin returns her book, she finds a very unhappy Book Uncle. His books still in their boxes, and holding a summons, Book Uncle has been told by the mayor that he must get a permit which he cannot afford in order to continue his free lending library.
At the same time, Yasmin discovers there is to be an election soon to elect a new mayor. Yasmin's friend Anil is rooting for Karate Samuel, a popular action movie actor, to win, but his is running against the current mayor, S.L. Yogaraja, or Mayor SLY for short, who seems to be the front runner.
Not willing to lose Book Uncle, Yasmin begins a grassroots movement to save his library, enlisting the help of friends, neighbors and her schoolmates, and finally getting a campaign promise from Karate Samuel that he will support Book Uncle. And it doesn't hurt that Yasmin and her fellow activists discover the real reason the the Mayor SLY issued the summons to get rid of Book Uncle.
Is it too late to help Book Uncle and save the Free Lending Library? Or can a grassroots movement begun by a 9 year-old girl really make a difference?
Book Uncle and Me is an absolutely charming story about a book worm turned activist. Yasmin is an chatty, energetic, sometimes sassy, other times caring and considerate character, a protagonist that readers will certainly be able to relate to. I loved seeing her struggle to find the meaning to the old Indian story Book Uncle gave her to read, and how she is eventually able to relate it to her attempts to save the library. And I think her dedication to the cause will serve as inspiration for young readers who may feel they can't make a difference.
Yasmin's story is also a nice slice of life story. Shopping with her mother, and a visit from her overbearing uncle are not really necessary to the fight to help Book Uncle, but at a nice dimension to the story. And along the way, readers are introduced to some wonderful Indian elements of Yasmin's everyday life, from her flip-floppy chappals to her neighbor who plays a a traditional Indian ghatam, a musical clay pot, to favorite Indian foods like coconut puttu, and the wonderful istri lady"who does peoples ironing for them (istri describe the flat iron she uses for ironing).
Book Uncle and Me is a book I highly recommend, with themes perfect for young readers - friendship, community, family and making a difference.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
January 8, 2023
Note: I listened to this in an audio book format (which is not available to select on GR for some reason).
The plot of "Book Uncle and Me" is similar to a story I once wrote (but never published) and so I wanted to read this one out of curiosity as well as for inspiration to get back into creative writing.
This is targeted to the middle grade reader.
I enjoyed this story of a girl standing up for a man called "Book Uncle" who does good for his community, especially newer readers. His mission: to get people interested in reading via operating his street-side mobile free lending library. The powers-that-be would rather he not and move to make him stop, which awaken the young & bookish Yasmin's latent powers of grassroots activism. Love that for her.
Reading this story that features a mobile free lending library seems coincidental since I'd just watched "Matilda: The Musical" on Netflix the week before, with a character similar to Book Uncle: Mrs. Phelps (the mobile librarian) who provided acts of kindness and emotional stability to the young protagonist.
The protagonist, little Yasmin, is Indian and so this story had interesting cultural nuance to me as an American reader. The thing is so many stories that are written for children that I come across tend to center white kids by default unless the story line is specifically about a protagonist who confronts a challenge like prejudice or racism, or who deals with cultural isolation or is in a marginalized group for some reason central to the plot. This wasn't a story like that.
I like that the narrator is also from an Indian culture/ background which was refreshing to hear vocally. I do tend to enjoy books narrated by Bahni Turpin (a prolific American audio book narrator who also does accents well) and this is another type of voice I hope to hear more of in the stories I come across.
The plot of "Book Uncle and Me" is similar to a story I once wrote (but never published) and so I wanted to read this one out of curiosity as well as for inspiration to get back into creative writing.
This is targeted to the middle grade reader.
I enjoyed this story of a girl standing up for a man called "Book Uncle" who does good for his community, especially newer readers. His mission: to get people interested in reading via operating his street-side mobile free lending library. The powers-that-be would rather he not and move to make him stop, which awaken the young & bookish Yasmin's latent powers of grassroots activism. Love that for her.
Reading this story that features a mobile free lending library seems coincidental since I'd just watched "Matilda: The Musical" on Netflix the week before, with a character similar to Book Uncle: Mrs. Phelps (the mobile librarian) who provided acts of kindness and emotional stability to the young protagonist.
The protagonist, little Yasmin, is Indian and so this story had interesting cultural nuance to me as an American reader. The thing is so many stories that are written for children that I come across tend to center white kids by default unless the story line is specifically about a protagonist who confronts a challenge like prejudice or racism, or who deals with cultural isolation or is in a marginalized group for some reason central to the plot. This wasn't a story like that.
I like that the narrator is also from an Indian culture/ background which was refreshing to hear vocally. I do tend to enjoy books narrated by Bahni Turpin (a prolific American audio book narrator who also does accents well) and this is another type of voice I hope to hear more of in the stories I come across.
June 20, 2016
What a wonderful example of a child making a difference in the world! Nine-year-old Yasmin loves to read, and she has decided to read a new book every day. She loves choosing books from the free lending library operated by Book Uncle, a retired teacher, until the mayor threatens to shut down his operation. Even though she cannot vote and is young, Yasmin mounts a campaign involving her friends, family, and neighbors, even some politicians, to make things right again. Readers will enjoy watching the campaign gain momentum, and while they may be confused at the start of the story when Book Uncle recommends a folk tale to Yasmin which seems to have little relevance at the time, as the story picks up speed, the connections and significance will be readily apparent. This import from Canada was originally published in India and offers some insight into the culture and daily life. Readers should prepare to fall in love with Yasmin who refuses to let the system get her down even when things are especially bleak. Filled with humor, many offbeat characters and situations, and true heart, the book is a tribute to the power of reading and someone's desire to make books accessible to all. Having illustrations sprinkled throughout the book enables readers to connect readily with the characters and the setting.
September 28, 2016
A fun and very timely story about a girl in an apartment complex in a town in India. Yasmin loves getting free books from Book Uncle who shares his private library with the people of the city by means of a stall on the street near her apartment. When the town bureaucracy shuts down Book Uncle's stall, Yasmin makes it an election issue with the help of all the people in her school and apartment complex. A book about voting, friendship, and the love of books, originally published in India, this winsome story won the Scholastic Asian Book Award and works well as a slight step up from beginning chapter books. How lucky we are that English is one of India's languages -- may there be many more stories set in India!
September 24, 2017
This was a sweet book about a Yasmin, a girl who borrows a book every day from the free lending library on her street corner. One day, the library is forced to shut down because the owner, Book Uncle, cannot afford the new permit he requires after someone complains after the library. Yasmin rallies her friends and neighbors to help appeal to their electoral candidates to support Book Uncle, and get the library back where it belongs.
This is a quiet book (there's not much plot-driven action which may make it too slow for its intended target audience), but it has an important message about fighting for what you believe in.
This is a quiet book (there's not much plot-driven action which may make it too slow for its intended target audience), but it has an important message about fighting for what you believe in.
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