Mission Mumbai

by Mahtab Narsimhan

Key Features








Description

When aspiring photographer Dylan Moore is invited to join his best friend Rohit Lal on a family trip to India, he jumps at the chance to embark on an exciting journey just like their Lord of the Rings heroes, Frodo and Sam. But each boy comes to the trip with a Rohit is desperate to convince his parents not to leave him behind in Mumbai to finish school, and Dylan is desperate to use his time in India to prove himself as a photographer and to avoid his parents' constant fighting.

Keeping their struggles to themselves threatens to tear the boys apart. But when disaster strikes, Dylan and Rohit realize they have to set aside their differences to navigate India safely, confront their family issues, and salvage their friendship.


When aspiring photographer Dylan Moore is invited to join his best friend Rohit Lal on a family trip to India, he jumps at the chance to embark on an exciting journey just like their Lord of the Rings heroes, Frodo and Sam. But each boy comes to the trip with a Rohit is desperate to convince his parents not to leave him behind in Mumbai to finish school, and Dylan is desperate to use his time in India to prove himself as a photographer and to avoid his parents' constant fighting.

Keeping their struggles to themselves threatens to tear the boys apart. But when disaster strikes, Dylan and Rohit realize they have to set aside their differences to navigate India safely, confront their family issues, and salvage their friendship.







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RL.6.2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.











Product Details








Item #: NTS803230




9781338032307




Paperback Book





272







Adventure,
Comedy and Humor







5 - 7





Lexile®
700L




Guided Reading
GR Level W




DRA
40 - 50




ACR

5.0














































Mission Mumbai


Paperback Book





5.21
Out Of Stock


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if(_satellite) {_satellite.pageBottom();} commonUtil.enableMouseflow(); Key Features Item #: NTS803230




9781338032307




Paperback Book





272







Adventure,
Comedy and Humor







5 - 7





Lexile®
700L




Guided Reading
GR Level W




DRA
40 - 50




ACR

5.0

Genres: Middle Grade, Canada, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, India, Friendship

Paperback

First published March 29, 2016

Reviews

[Zoraida]

Review for YABC

MISSION MUMBAI by Mahtab Narsimhan is an unexpected and powerful addition to middle grade novels. The story of two boys, it is told from the POV of a white American kid named Dylan Moore. Dylan is, on the surface, the envy of his best friend, Rohit Lal. Dylan's family is privileged and have everything money can buy. Rohit comes from a middle-class family from Mumbai. He's been studying New York, and everything was made possible by the strings-attached funds of his Aunty Anjali. When Rohit returns to India for his cousin's wedding, Dylan comes along for the ride. What Rohit doesn't know is that Dylan's life isn't as perfect as it seems. Dylan might have wealth and comfort, but his parents are going through a difficult patch with talks of separation. Dylan's mother is cold. Dylan's father is a hard man who wants his son to be something he's not. He wants Dylan to be a jock. Meanwhile, Dylan is a reader who loves fantasy worlds like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. He loves photography and is a truly loyal friend. Still, Dylan doesn't feel the love from his parents and loves being with the Lal family.

What I loved: MISSION MUMBAI is a novel with layers. It's a novel about summer travel, and exploring an exotic new world. It's a novel about friendship and family. But it also deals with body image issues in a delicate way. Dylan says he loves two things: photography and food. He tries all of the foods he's given, no matter how strange they are to him. Then, he'll think about what his father wants him to look like or what he should look like, and he'll do jumping jacks or want to walk an extra few minutes in the hot Mumbai sun. It's heartbreaking, but Dylan maintains an upbeat and positive outlook on life and the trip.

Friendship is one of this highlighted themes in MISSION MUMBAI. Narsimhan pairs two boys from opposite worlds, cultures, and social backgrounds. She gives them a friendship that is bound by their love of fantasy and nerdom. Their friendship is put to the test as Dylan dives into life in India, while Rohit rejects his culture. He wants American things--soda, burgers, pizza, TV. Dylan wants samosas, mango lassis, and Bollywood movies. They're each in possession of something the other wants. Rohit wants money because he believes that'll solve his family's woes. Dylan wants the love and unity of Rohit's family. Their bond is severely tested throughout the book, but they're a pair to root for. Together they get into a LOT of trouble, but they come out stronger in the end.

Mahtab Narsimhan tells a story of India from a foreigner's point of view instead of a native. Had the book been told from Rohit's point of view, the book would have been completely different. Indeed, Rohit is painted as a kid who has been spoiled by American culture. He wants to go back to New York. He wants to explore America. He's already lived in India, and so nothing is new to him. Because we see India from Dylan's point of view, we get to experience it from a new lens. Dylan messes up a lot when dealing with life in India. He isn't accustomed to some social boundaries, and nearly gets mauled by a mob when he tries to push a cow out of a blocked road. There's a learning curve for him, and for the reader who might not know anything about Indian culture.

Verdict: MISSION MUMBAI by Mahtab Narsimhan is a fun and exciting exploration of family, friendship, and life in Mumbai. It will have you laughing and crying while rooting for the Fellowship of Dylan and Rohit.

[Cameron Chaney]

Mission Mumbai by Mahtab Narsimhan is a middle grade contemporary novel about Indian culture and friendship... but mostly just Indian culture. I like stories that involve other cultures and add diversity into the books I read. But I also enjoy books that have a rich story with unique characters and a strong message. Bottom line, Mission Mumbai is mostly just a lesson on what to do and what not to do in India.

The story is about a boy named Dylan who goes on a vacation with his friend—an exchange student named Rohit—back to Rohit's home in India. Dylan is from a very rich American family, and the book mostly revolves around him doing things that are not acceptable in Indian culture, then being corrected. There is an essence of friendship in this book, but the characters fought so much and seemed to resent each other up until the end. I understand that the fighting was an obstacle for the characters to get past in their friendship, but it seems like this is the case for a lot of friendships in children’s lit. Why not just friends who get along with each other, for crying out loud?

The author did make some attempts to insert jokes and references that kids can relate too, but honestly it just felt so forced. So much that the references didn't even make sense in the situations. The kid characters felt like dorky parents who were trying to be cool. And how many of the exact same Lord of the Rings references can you squeeze into a scene? Yeesh, it got very repetitive.

Anyway, I’d say Mission Mumbai is mostly a cultural study for children. I’d recommend it to teachers looking to engage their students in discussion about different countries and cultures. For solo readers, I'd say stick to nonfiction books about India.

Overall, 1.5 stars

[Karen Upper]

I was hooked by the vibrant, eye catching cover of Mahtab Narsimham's "Mission Mumbai" and discovered that it is a wonderful reflection of the colourful journey that Dylan and Rohit find themselves on as they vacation in Mumbai, India.

The author's use of candid, descriptive passages, interlaced with action, adventure and humour creates a story that is expertly woven together to reveal cultural details that often derail Dylan's good intentions.

As the strength of their friendship is tested repeatedly, Dylan and Rohit each discover something unique about themselves and each other!
ARC from ScholasticCanada

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!

[Karen]

Can a street-smart New Yorker navigate India? A sensory delight that will make you laugh and worry for Dylan and Rohit. A fun, cross-cultural book about friendship, food and stolen toilets!

[Joyce Grant]

I love this book! Not only is the plot fast-paced and delightful, and the characters well rounded, but the setting is spectacularly well described. I feel like I know a lot more about India now. In fact, after I read Mission Mumbai, I had a dream that I was walking down a street in India -- and since it's a place I've never been, I have to assume that the details in this book were so well-constructed that it afforded me a visual image that has stayed with me. I highly recommend this book.

[Rachel S]

Love!!

[Barbara]

Best friends Dylan Moore and Rohit Lal find their friendship tested when Dylan goes along with Rohit on a family trip to India. The aspiring photographer finds much to love about Mumbai, but he also is hampered by his own impulsiveness and stubbornness. In similar fashion to the boys' literary favorites, Frodo and Sam, they have several adventures, and Dylan even comes close to dying because he doesn't pay attention to Rohit's mother's warnings. There's wedding drama, and Lals have their economic issues to deal with even while Dylan is relieved to be removed from the troubles in his own back yard. The book is funny but also contains some serious elements as the two boys' friendship is put to the test. But after all, isn't any friendship worth having one that can survive a test?

[Karen]

What I liked:

It was quick and easy to read. I listened to the audiobook in 2 days.

I got a good look at India through a foreigner's perspective, which was helpful since I'm learning about Indian culture. It was interesting to learn about the people and their resilience.

There were some funny moments, though some parts were a bit gross.


What I didn't like:

Too many references to The Lord of the Rings—felt kind of forced.

The drama at the end didn't make sense to me, like the horse running off? Some parts were just silly, but I guess that was the point.

[Victoria]

We really enjoyed this book as a family. We have had similar experiences in our travel to India and it was hilarious to re-live and imagine the adventures. It is definitely a recommendation for families to read prior to taking a trip to India with children. A great read for boys age 8-12. Travel, adventure and Incredible India made for a really enjoyable family read. I would love to see a movie made out of this book;)

[Lindsey Merril]

This was a really fun read! I super enjoyed it. I think the humour was a little middle grade for me (an adult) but I wasn't the target audience, haha.

It was a great tour through Mumbai and the things Mahtab clearly loves about it. I really enjoyed it!

[Jaime]

At first, I wasn't a big fan of this book. White boy, bumbling around India, with a lot of white privilege.

But then the underlying, deeper themes started to emerge. Racism, poverty, cultural shock. It was good to watch the transformation of the characters.

[Megan]

This book is really enjoyable. It's a middle grade book (which I often struggle to read); however, the characters are well developed. The story is enjoyable. I love the great descriptions of the foods.

[Ananya]

An interesting read as I am the daughter of 2 New Yorkers, and from Mumbai.
A cute story about friendship and family. I heartily recommend reading Mission Mumbai

[lucien alexander “sasha”]

i liked the characters, and the description of the ups and downs of friendship, but the writing just didn't draw me in.

[JianM]

good

[Miwa]

I liked the descriptions of what the main character sees and how his perspective is different from his friend's because of their backgrounds and upbringings.

[Tanisha Herondale]

I read this a couple of years ago and I just adore it.

[Mary-Esther Lee]

Funny, vibrant, moving, and tasty!

[Diana C]

9/10

[Timothy Forner]

A fun story of friendship, that takes its reader on a tour of India. Definitely recommend!

[Avi Dhawan]

Hilarious book with a somewhat interesting storyline.

[Katie Fitzgerald]

This review focuses on two books with roots in India: Mission Mumbai: A Novel of Sacred Cows, Snakes, and Stolen Toilets and Save Me a Seat. Both are compelling stories about strong male friendships starring characters who have moved from India to the U.S.

In Mission Mumbai, best friends, Dylan and Rohit, are on vacation with Rohit's family in his home city of Mumbai. Dylan, whose parents are constantly fighting, and whose father, in particular, can't seem to find a kind word to say about Dylan or his interests, is glad for the trip. Not only does it give him an escape and a chance to try new foods, but he also hopes it will present the perfect photo opportunity to help him win a photography contest, which will convince his dad that his hobby is not a waste of time. Rohit, on the other hand, would prefer to head back to the U.S. as soon as possible. His aunt, Bua, who has helped his parents financially, wants to bring Rohit back to Mumbai to finish school, and neither of his parents seems interested in standing up for their son. With so much at stake for both boys, emotions run high, and soon they are having the biggest fight of their friendship - the kind of fight that only a serious crisis can help them resolve.

In Save Me a Seat, Ravi has recently moved to the U.S. and he is completely unprepared for the informality of American schools, or for the fact that no one will be able to understand his accent. He is horrified when he is sent to the resource room with Joe, a large kid in his class who has Auditory Processing Disorder, and wishes he could be spending time getting to know Dillon Samreen instead. Since Dillon is also of Indian descent, Ravi imagines they would instantly become best friends. It is only after Dillon proves himself to be a bully that Ravi begins to realize his initial impression of Joe may also have some flaws.

Mission Mumbai is not only an interesting introduction to Indian culture but also an adventure story with humorous and exciting events which have particular appeal to pre-adolescent boys. From Dylan's encounter with a cow, to his first experience with traditional Indian plumbing, the book focuses on the details of life in India that would be most intriguing to an outsider, and which create the best opportunities for injecting humor into the story. There are also many great references in the book to well-known fantasy series, of which both Dylan and Rohit are fans, and readers will enjoy the parallels Dylan draws between his friendship with Rohit and the friendship between Tolkien's Frodo and Sam. A line from the book calls the boys "nerds of a feather," and this phrase really gets to the heart of their connection. Their every interaction is true-to-life, and their affection for each other, and the ways they express it, are spot-on for their age and personalities.

Whereas Mission Mumbai is told entirely from Dylan's point of view, Save Me a Seat is written by two authors, each of whom writes as a different character. In chapters from Joe's point of view, Sarah Weeks provides insight into the day-to-day workings of his classroom, and helps the reader understand from the start how new kid Ravi is being misunderstood by his classmates, and how Dillon Samreen is bullying him. In the chapters by Gita Varadarajan, the reader gets to hear Ravi's thoughts about his new school, which help the reader understand why he has trouble fitting in, and the pressure he is under at home to do well and make a good impression. The alternating chapters also fit into a larger structured framework, which is based on the lunch menu for each day of the week. Since seating in the cafeteria plays an important role in the story, organizing the story around the cafeteria schedule works nicely.

These books are great complements for each other, as they present several sides of the same type of experience. Mission Mumbai, however, is the more action-packed of the two books, while Save Me a Seat is more emotional and reflective. Both books are most appropriate for an upper elementary or middle school audience, and they fill a real need for more realistic friendship stories about boys.

[Minda Gomez]

Two friends explore Mumbai, India together. This book made me hungry!

[Anjali]

“Have fun sweetie!” 12 yr old Dylan Moore’s mom says.
“But remember, when you get back you are trying out for the soccer team. You need a way to work off all the food you’re eating. You can’t just take pictures all day, it won’t get you anywhere.” His Dad immediately adds.
“Can’t you just let your poor child have fun for once without stressing about his weight!?” Dylan’s mom exclaims. The parents break out into a fight and Dylan slips away into his room. Dylan Moore is about to leave New York and his parents (who are always in conflict),and go on a trip to India with his best friend, Rohit Lal, and his mom. Rohit struggles to keep his mean aunt from keeping him in India to learn manners, and Dylan struggles to prove to his discouraging dad that being a photographer can get him somewhere in life, by winning the National Geographic picture contest. The boys both keep their problems secret, and as a consequence the break out into fight. How will they tie their problems together and solve both in one trip?
Mission Mumbai by Mahtab Narsimhan in my opinion is a very good book. When Dylan Moore’s parents get divorced, it really shows how hard it can be in that transition for child. It also shows how hard it can be for child when their parent does not support the hobby they do, and always pounding on them to lose weight. That is because in the book, Dylan’s dad is always pushing him to join soccer (which he hates) and pestering him to quit photography because he thinks it won't get him anywhere in life. I recommend this book to people who like Adventures, Travel, or photography.

[Yapha]

Dylan and Rohit have been best friends since Rohit moved to New York from India three years before. Rohit and his parents are heading back to Mumbai for a family wedding and although Rohit would rather stay in New York with Dylan, Dylan manages to get himself invited to along instead. Dylan is desperate to escape his family. His very wealthy parents have time for everything but him and his father is clearly disappointed that Dylan is into photography and fantasy books instead of sports like he was. To Rohit, whose parents are much less well off, it looks like Dylan has everything. The two friends find themselves at odds for the first time, as each has family issues that he doesn't want to talk to the other about. Set among the monsoons and traffic of Mumbai, readers will be drawn into this colorful description of Indian culture and foods. it is made accessible through the universal issues of friendship, family, and the need to feel like you belong. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.

[Colette]

Dylan is accompanying classmate and best friend Rohit from New York where they go to school to Mumbai with Rohit's family to attend a traditional wedding. Middle grade readers will enjoy some armchair travelling as they are transported to the highs and lows of India: smelling the delicious food and the rank bathrooms, seeing the luxury of the Oberoi Hotel and the squalor of beggars living in the streets. They will also relate to the unspoken jealousy between the friends; Dylan feels lonely at home and is comforted by Rohit's supportive family whereas Rohit hates India and admires Dylan's luxurious lifestyle. The trip is in at much risk as their friendship!

[Kate Blair]

This book made me so HUNGRY. All the amazing detail on food was utterly mouthwatering. Oh yes, and it was also an exciting story about friendship, different families and different cultures. The immersive descriptions of India brought the scenes to life beautifully, and the heart and humour made for a hugely fun book.

[Cheryl Meibos]

I enjoyed the descriptions of Indian food and culture, intertwined with the boys' friendship.

[Swas]

It was awesome as we found out how cultures were explored. Adjusting is not easy.

[Lily]

A fun story of a unique adventure with love-able characters and a happy ending to satisfy all.