Saraswati's Way

by Monika Schröder

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 novel, fate and self-determination come together in unexpected ways, offering an unsentimental look at the realities of India. Saraswati's Way is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, India, Contemporary, Adventure, Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 9, 2010

About the author

Monika Schröder was born in Germany. She has worked in American overseas schools in Egypt, Chile, Oman and India as an elementary school teacher and librarian. Her first novel for children, THE DOG IN THE WOOD, was published by Boyds Mills Press in November 2009. The book takes place in Germany after World War II and is based on the childhood experiences of the author's father. Her second novel, SARASWATI'S WAY( Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010) tells the story of a 12-year-old Indian boy. MY BROTHER'S SHADOW, set in Berlin 1918, was published in September 2011. She currently lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Find out more about her on: www.monikaschroeder.com

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 review:

Dude, you guys do not know how much I enjoyed this book. And probably for very simple reasons that others may not share, but I'm not even sorry. I think it was refreshing to read about an intelligent, fortuitous protagonist that has a worthy goal he seeks out, but has to weather some difficult circumstances in order to reach that goal. Akash comes from a poor family and is actually a very smart boy who works well with the numbers in his head (naturally, he loves math). Unfortunately, with respect to the circumstances that his family lives in and a sudden tragedy that throws his world out of balance, Akash questions whether he must live the life he's fated to live or work against the elements to try to reach the goal he ultimately wants in his life.

His journey takes him from home in the villages to being sent away to do backbreaking labor to pay off a debt, to escaping into the larger cityscapes of India and meeting a bunch of colorful characters along the way - both friend and foe alike. I have to say that the attention to place details as well as the customs and language of India drawn in this novel (including the glossary in the back) are excellent, even particularly for its respective length, audience (middle grade) and genre. I flew through this book and found the narrative flow nice. I didn't want to put it down and only did when I had to. I do wish that I'd had more time to get to know the characters and had a deeper immersion with some of the other details of the work (the math tricks and the way Akash walked through them with the other characters were cool), but I honestly can't complain that much. I really enjoyed it and I think people who like quick reads featuring a likable protagonist and an interesting attention to detail with respect to place will find something to take from in this novel. I will also say that I appreciate the author's end notes on the realities that Indian children like Akash face each day, and I was able to take away quite a bit from that.

Overall score: 4/5

[joyous (❁´◡`❁) · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanks kay-kay <3
___________________
well... i have mixed feelings about this book.
i am an Indian citizen. and as soon as i read through a few pages, i realized that the author, Mrs. Schroder is not Indian. and as much as i liked this book, it would be SO much better if it were own-voices.
that being said, i did agree about the part on street children in the acknowledgements. some street kids get help from NGOs, but the others end up making their lives miserable, sniffing glue and whitener ink as an intoxicant. that, or they have high dreams that they may not be able to achieve and end up dejected.
it would be SO, SO much better if this were written from an Indian's perspective. i feel that when you come from other cultures and write a book on a one you do not know about, it takes time to grasp it. i do not think that Mrs. Schroder has had that time.

on the whole, Saraswati's Way is such a lovely book. my heart went out to Akash and yearned for all to be fine in his life. i will overlook the cons for this lovely math genius.
*a mesmerizing book, Saraswati's Way can be read by kids above 12, just so they can grasp it and understand the plot. ✨

[Robert Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

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’ll admit that the Ninja is woefully ignorant of other cultures and my knowledge of India comes mostly from Slumdog Millionaire, Apu from The Simpsons, and Karl Pilkington’s journey to the Taj Mahal on An Idiot Abroad. I have Indian friends, but they’ve been Americanized. If you’re an American who is already very familiar with India and its culture, you’re still going to love Saraswati’s Way because at its heart it’s a great story well told. But for the ignorant, such as myself, it is fascinating to have this opportunity to learn more about Indian culture and social rules wrapped around a compelling story.

From a craft perspective, Saraswatti’s Way is a great example about how to write about setting and how the choice of setting informs every aspect of the story. If you’re a science fiction writer describing other worlds, or a small town Indiana boy like me writing about small town Indiana, Monika Shroder is a wonderful world builder and her work is worth studying. See how she delivers exposition about culture we need to know to understand the story without ever interrupting the story. To even understand the title, you need to know that Saraswatti is the Indian goddess of knowledge and to know the importance of religion in Indian culture.

To better illustrate, here is what Akash's father tells him early in the story:

“Son, you are just as willful as your mother. She always wanted to change things for the better. She argued even with your Dadima.” Bapu shook his head slowly. “Nothing changes because of our doing. It’s all in the hands of the gods.”

And that is what twelve-year-old Akash is up against: a stubborn belief by everyone around him that “that’s just the way it is; some things will never cha-a-a-ange.” Akash is a member of a poor farming family and it is his destiny to receive the minimum amount of education and then to become a poor farmer amassing debt he can never pay off. But Akash dreams of being able to go to a proper school and to get a proper education and to rise out of the poverty he was born into. If he can only get the money for a tutor, he can study and perhaps earn a scholarship. His family, however, has no intention of wasting good money on knowledge because as his grandmother most colorfully puts it: "Why teach a bucket to sing? He doesn’t need to go to school past seventh standard.”

I can’t decide whether I should compare Saraswati’s Way to a fairy tale or to the work of Charles Dickens. Both would be apt comparisons and it won’t surprise me one bit to see Saraswati’s Way become a new middle grade classic as word of mouth spreads about what a fantastic book this is. I would personally like to put a copy in the hands of every American child attending school and eating three meals a day because, perhaps the Ninja is getting old, but these kids today don’t know how lucky they are. Reading about Akash’s predicament may remind them.

Every August a fever comes to Akash’s village after the wet season and people die—I can’t even imagine living in a place like that. At the start of the book, the fever claims Akash’s father, who is moved to the ground to be in contact with the earth when he dies. I’m not sure what the significance of this is as it was not touched on in Karl Pilkington’s journey, but it’s one of the many fascinating tidbits about Indian culture I picked up reading this book. With him dead, Akash’s fate is in his grandmother’s hands. His death combined with a poor crop leaves the family in a terrible bind and they will soon lose their home if they cannot pay off their rent debt. Thus, Akash’s grandmother sends him to work in a child labor camp.

Akash is good with numbers and he soon figures out that at the interest rate his family is being charged, he will never pay off the debt. He will forever be a slave without an education. So Akash hops a train and sets out on his own on an adventure through India. There is never a point in the story when Akash is not in conflict. He is a strong protagonist with a sympathetic goal beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish, and the tyranny of evil men (and yes, I did just drop that Pulp Fiction reference in a blog about children’s literature). This is the stuff of great storytelling.

I’m not sure if there is such a thing as edgy middle grade, but if there is, last week’s The Underneath is edgy, and Saraswati’s Way certainly is. Personally, I’ve come to resent the term “children’s fiction” and would like to see it referred to as family fiction. We have family films. The main characters in ET: The Extra Terrestrial are children, and yet that is a “family film” loved by children and adults alike. I have no doubt that Saraswati’s Way will be loved by children, but Schroder clearly intends for it to be read by adults as well, which would explain the inclusion of this scene:

It was tempting to go with the only person he knew in Delhi. Akash had no clear idea what he would do when he arrived at the train station. But Lal Singh stared at him the way a cat looked before it pounced on a mouse. Akash could feel Lal Singh’s damp hand on the small of his back, slowly moving closer toward his buttocks.

Children may likely read right over this scene without picking up on Lal Singh’s sinister motives for inviting Akash to stay with him, but adults won’t. So why include it if not for adult readers? What mother could read this story and not have fear for twelve-year-old Akash alone on the streets of India tripled? They have nasty, awful folks in India just like they do here and a child alone is a child who may be approached by predators. And India doesn’t even have Chris Hansen and the crew of To Catch a Predator. The inclusion of Lal Singh is dealt with quickly and the story moves on, which is good, because even when handsome Chris Hansen is hosting, this stuff is nothing to dwell on and not what Saraswati’s Way is about. Lal Singh is simply another point of conflict emphasizing how alone Akash is on his journey.

Lal Singh is also, sigh, realistic. It’s not a pretty world out there, Esteemed Reader, and it’s no place for a child to have to survive on his own. But children do it here and in even greater numbers in parts of India. Akash isn’t going to tour a chocolate factory. His story is meant to be real and to invoke reader sympathy for him and the other kids in India in situations similar to or worse than his. I’m not going to spoil the whole book for you, but Akash later gets involved with drug dealers and other nasty characters. Here is a particularly poignant scene that haunts me and I think will give you a nice preview of what to expect in the darker parts of Saraswati’s Way (remember, all of these characters are children):

“What are they doing? Akash asked. He noticed a sharp smell, like gasoline.
“They are sniffing,” Rohit answered.
“Sniffing what?”
“E-Raze! Cor-rec-tion fluid,” Deepak answered, his voice slurred. “Even cheaper than glue. Same effect. Ahhhh!” He had lowered the rag.
“You want some? I have glue.” Madhup offered Akash a small plastic bottle and his rag.
“No, thank you!” Akash turned to Rohit. “What does it do to them?”
“It makes them crazy,” he answered.
“No, it makes us happy and not hungry!” Deepak called.
“It lets us forget things,” Madhup added.
“After a while it ruins their brains. It is very dangerous,” Rohit said.

But I don’t want you to go saying, “Saraswati’s Way? Some blogger said it was depressing.” That’s not true. Saraswati’s Way is actually a hopeful and uplifting book. I’m really not going to spoil it, but just trust me. And as for the dark stuff… You remember the end of The Color Purple when Celi finally gets to hug Netti and her son and her daughter and even Sophia is happy and it’s just the happiest scene ever and the audience cries happy tears? That scene is happy directly in proportion to how unhappy the journey of Ceili is prior to it. And if you haven’t seen The Color Purple, go rent it.

I see we are clearly out of time, and yet I have one more passage to share with you. I’m going to keep harping on this idea for “family” books rather than “children’s” books for several posts to come, but there is no reason a story about children can’t include as much complexity as a story about adults. To prove it, here is a symbolic passage to serve as a metaphor for the children of India that even Nathanial Hawthorne would approve of:

The pigeons continued their fight close to the edge of the roof, each of them holding one end of the bread in its beak. One bird spread its wings, trying to lift the bread and fly, but the second pigeon ripped the chapatti apart with a sudden jerk, causing both of them to lose the bread. The pieces fell to the courtyard below.

And that’s it for another week, Esteemed Reader. Come back on Thursday to see Monika Schroder face the 7 Questions and on Saturday to see Jennifer Laughran do the same. And definitely come back next week as I’ve got the first of two big surprises planned for you. And now, as always, I will leave you with some of my favorite passages from Saraswati’s Way:

Wanting was just another kind of hunger, burning until satisfied.


Their bare branches ended in thick knobs held upward like the fists of angry men.


Pain flooded Akash like blood soaking a cloth.


The throw of her sari covered Aunt Kamla’s face, but her words shot through the fabric like a camel’s spit.


Heavy from exhaustion, he slowly curled up like a cashew.


The color and consistency of the man’s skin reminded Akash of potatoes.


For an interview with author Monika Schroeder as well as interviews with other writers and literary agents, check out my blog at www.middlegradeninja.blogspot.com

[Douglas Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In following the journey of Akash, a budding young mathematician who dreams of getting into a better school than he can find in his village, Schröder gives the reader a compelling and often suspenseful story of perseverance, despair, and faith. At the same time, no reader can come away unaffected by the portrait this book paints of a modern India where poverty and injustice force children into dilemmas and actions alien even to most Western adults. If your test of a good book (and your test of a good book for kids) is whether it alters the reader's perception of the world, I believe Saraswati's Way is worth a look.

[Leah Kessler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this book without looking at the author's name, and had assumed that, being about an Indian boy living in India, that the author was Indian. A little way into the book, however, I began to feel that something was off. This didn't feel like a book written by someone with the same background as the people she was writing about and, sure enough, it was written by a German woman who spent time in India and wanted to bring attention to the plight of poor Indian people. And that is exactly how it reads.

Schroder makes sure that the main character, Akash, encounters every possible kind of Bad Indian Person, from the family who are so destitute that they sell him into slavery without even bothering to express much regret, to the lecherous train attendant who helps him out, to the thieving, addicted street children, and so on. It reads like a litany of bad things she wants her Western readers to be aware of and paints a very one-sided picture of a country that is vast and complex.

For a book on a similar topic that takes a much more authentic, human look at the complexities of life in this part of the world, try Amal Unbound, by Pakistani-American author Aisha Saeed.

(I did like the math element of Saraswati's Way.)

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 the ledger with the amount they are paid, the amount they owe and the interest rates. He's good enough with numbers to know that the debt will never be paid off. He runs away and lives on the street in Delhi. This book follows his life on the street and how he tries to get more schooling so that he may continue to learn math. The plight of many of the street children in Delhi is presented with delicacy and honesty.

A good multicultural story!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Inoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was simple and straightforward but still well done. I rounded up but I would definitely recommend it.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monika Schröder, who’s a German based writer, came to India and got fascinated by the Indian culture. Perhaps because she’s been working as an elementary school teacher for children, she keeps in love with children’s fiction. Saraswati’s Way is her book that she came up with to establish a ray of hope especially amongst children who are exposed to harsh realities at the very early age tarnishing their dreams. However, the book is as equally an encouraging read for adults as it should be for children of any age and any socio-economic backgrounds.

Akash is a 12-year-old scholar child who loves numbers and wishes to earn a higher scholarship so that he could afford to study further and eventually build an esteemed future for his family and himself. He soon realises that dreams are usually trickier to achieve and realities are tyrannical for families that are agricultural labourers in India. Throughout his journey from being sold as a slave to Kumar Ji, the lender, to becoming a jovial assistant to Yogesh, the juice-stand owner at New Delhi railway station, the young Akash bares conviction. Despite being exposed to the inequities of the selfish world, he continues to win over his internal conflicts. He keeps fighting to choose between selling drugs to earn quicker money and getting admission in one of the best schools and he wins over by choosing the latter eventually.

Saraswati’s Way is an inspiring tale of a young child who at the end chooses to follow what his white part of soul preaches. The book is certainly an entertaining, compelling read that gives hope that you can achieve your dreams with determination, courage, and some luck, against all odds, as the writer herself says—she successfully has instituted her point.

Nevertheless, I personally have some questions to the writer: Why do we more often portray India in such light to the World? Why is that the authors more often believe that living in slum and coming out victorious is the only struggle that Indian children could go through? Be it Slumdog Millionaire (though I haven’t read the Q & A yet) or Saraswati’s Way, the authors and film-makers document Indian slums the more. Are not there other sort of mental, moral, social, political, and family weights that Indian children face? I mean do not Indian children have more to go through such as depression, molestation, competition or peer pressure, humiliation based on race, body shaming, and so many more? Are there any good books/stories on such issues? If yes, do recommend!

[Faith Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a quick pace and a hero you want to cheer for, Saraswati's Way makes for an immersive experience. Taking place in India, Akash's story is a powerful overview of some of the issues rampant in India, especially those of child labor and the dangers of children living on the streets in the cities. It's the perfect novel for helping students understand the experiences of someone in their age group on the other side of the world, especially one who wants more than anything to gain access to education, which so many of my own students don't appreciate. Walking with Akash through his journey, we see him choose the right path, which is rarely the easy one, and find his way to his dreams. The author also includes a note in the back discussing the personal experiences in India that led to the inspiration of this novel and some websites to check out if you're interested in helping out children like Akash.

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a middle schooler, I think that Saraswati's Way has a great lesson for not only kids my age but everyone. It teaches that patience and hardwork is the key to success. This story about a young boy who goes through the death of his father, after already losing his mother is a good topic to write about, especially when it comes to teaching about loss. It also shows his journey to getting in to a better school to grow his learning. It talks about believing in yourself and being patient along with having bravery. It is an amazing book for all ages and has some very good twists and interesting moments in the book. I would definitely recommend.

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and slightly intense book about a boy in India that has a terrible life and then escapes to New Delhi to try and find a better life. He lives in the train station and ekes out a small living helping a magazine seller, but he is very smart and talented in math and longs to go to a school where he can shine. Lots of twists and turns and some very poor decision-making along the way, but the story is heartwarming and loads to talk about in this book. Reminded me of The Bridge Home and Amal Unbound.

[Nirav · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poor 12-year old boy from a small village dreams of going to high school and learn math, but faces many challenges, goes through grief, financial insecurity, and many more challenges before he is rewarded (in his belief, blessed by Saraswati and Ganesha).

This book makes for good emotional reading for teenagers. I was given this by my nephew and found the story hopeful, positive, and value-teaching without the preaching.

[Devi · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s been years since I read this one so I’m probably not qualified to give an opinion anymore, but I will anyway. I remember detesting Saraswati’s Way and I remember wishing it was an ownvoices Indian story.

[Sophia Modisette]

remembering the time my brother was on a book cover… lmao

[samitha m · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story set in India's hinderland that moves to the big bad city. A story filled with hope!

[Zoe || Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic...just basic

[Tahleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 to understand how hopeless his situation seems. Can he resist the temptations of making quick money through unseemly means, or will he be able to be patient and find the right way to knowledge?

This is a quick read, but full of descriptions of place, Indian culture, street life and Hinduism. I learned a bit about the Hindu religion and how its practitioners worship, at least in the part of India Akash is from, and I learned a lot about the Indian culture, namely life in a traditional household and life for children on the street. It can be gritty, and children have to resort to desperate measures to survive.

Yet Schroeder gives us this picture in a more kid-friendly way. Despite the horror of street life, the phrasing is simple and gentle enough for younger readers to understand it without having nightmares. Her writing is very to the point and frank.

I did have a few problems while I was reading. Some paragraphs are far too long; I think the text could use a bit more editing and breaks in the structure when it comes to that. I found an entire chapter that only had one paragraph. There were also parts of dialogue where there wasn't a new paragraph when a new character spoke, which confused me. And speaking of dialogue, some of it was very stilted and seemed unrealistic, especially a scene with a doctor toward the end of the book. I found the writing tended to be a bit choppy, but for some reason this worked for the most part.

One other thing that confused me was the unfamiliar religious practices described. At one point there is a festival going on and Akash's family is in mourning—certain things happen, and I couldn't tell if it was because of the festival or the mourning period. I could get what was happening most of the time, and eventually I figured out what was going on after I got confused, but I struggled a bit occasionally.

I was sucked into the story, especially once Akash started to be exposed to the darker side of street living. I got worked up at the injustices, worried about the young hero of the story, and was saddened at the circumstances. There are drugs and perverts in the world, and Akash is forced to find this out. Luckily he (somehow) manages to find friends pretty quickly and easily, so he's rarely ever truly alone.

After the novel ends, there is an author's note that explains about street children in India, Vedic math, and the Hindu gods mentioned in the text—I recommend reading this. There's also a glossary for the Indian terms used throughout the book.

Saraswati's Way tells the ultimately hopeful story of a boy who ends up on the street and tries to survive, while always pursuing his goal of getting a good education. Though there were some issues for me, I think this would be a good introduction to Indian custom and religion for a younger reader, plus it gives some nifty math tricks.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 money goes as fast as Akash's father makes it. When the father dies Akash find the farm owner knocking on their door demanding the back rent. The grandmother sends Akash to work in the quarry. Akash figures there is a better way for him to make money and use his math skills. He runs away to New Delhi to make his fortune. It is very difficult for him there. He is a street kid and has two options. He can make quick money dishonestly or he can find honest work and make it slower. This is an internal struggle that only he can choose. So what does he do? He prays to the Hindu goddess Saraswati asking for guidance. You'll need to read the book to see what he decides to do. This is a great book to have in your classroom to teach multicultural issues. I would recommend this to upper middle graders and up. There is quite a bit of mature material in it. It needs to be there because these types of activities happen in real life but it is pretty mature for the younger crowd. I gladly place this book on my shelves.

[Nicole Otting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monika reached out to me via Twitter to read this book and see if it would be something my students would like to read. I was thrilled to have been asked and wanted to give my honest review of the story here.
It was interesting to read a book set in India as many of the stories my students read take place in the south or other states but rarely other countries. Immediately, I was drawn to the diversity of this setting.
There is a lot of information about the culture and there is a glossary in the back for children (and myself!) who are unfamiliar with the terms.

Akash is twelve years old and obsessed with math. It's his passion and he desperately 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 the ledger with the amount they are paid, the amount they owe and the interest rates. He's good enough with numbers to know that the debt will never be paid off. This would be great for our economics unit by showing students this process.

Akash runs away and lives on the street in Delhi. This book follows his life on the street and his aspirations to continue his education in math.

As a classroom teacher, I would preview this story for myself before putting out on the shelves so you can have a background of the content and discuss with students.

[Mr. Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 ways. The reader is able to learn a lot about the Indian culture through this novel. Although the plot was lacking a lot of twists and turns, it kept me interested throughout. It is a very easy read with some great prose. I reccomend this book for anyone who enjoyed Boys without Names or likes realistic fiction.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author at an SCBWI conference. Actually, she critiqued my manuscript and gave the keynote address. I was fascinated by her life's story, living in all those different places, and wanted to read her book.

Akash lives in rural India. His family is in debt and then his father dies. He must go work for the man who holds their debt until it is paid off. Akash has a head for numbers and so quickly realizes that all the workers are being cheated and they will never pay off the debt. He runs a away to Delhi.

He meets Rohit who helps him learn how to navigate and survive in the city. Ramesh, an older man, plays a central figure as Akash must make choices as he reaches for his goal.

An excellent book with a well-written story that also brings the culture of India alive. Would be for a more mature reader as she doesn't pull any punches when dealing with the boy's life of poverty.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Akash, has a gift with math and numbers. All he wants is to be able to continue to learn math and use his gift. Circumstances though are standing in his way. He has an uphill battle on the streets of Delhi. The book includes a lot of Indian culture. It was like stepping into another place. Though the setting was not the U.S., the issues were relatable. The boys that Akash meets up with are all struggling and keeping themselves going in different ways. It is a tough life, but Akash fights agains the odds.

One thing I noted was that there were Sikh's in the book, but the only significant Sikh characters were the police that must be bribed or that stole money. I wondered then if there are more Sikh's in the police force or why she chose to have them be portrayed negatively. It made me pause though it was not a very significant part of the book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 meets a person who cares enough to assist him. I would love a second book to see Akash's journey through school. His math wizardry was enviable!

[Arthur Pengerbil · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 from the HPPL Youth Department, click here.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always difficult to read about your country when a person who has lived there (note that is not participation) and writes a book. This is one such book. I found it hard to read the stereotypes and found it very close to the missionary model of dissecting a culture. If one reads it from a post-colonial stance, the author's perceptions from the stance is clear.

The truth of a student's journey is not about the social status, money, or location. It is all of that, more than that, and nothing really if the student doesn't bring something from within. It is not just Akash, the MC of the story, it is true for all of us.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another children's book that came through our Little Free Library. It is a wonderful and hopeful story of a boy in India who is orphaned but is determined to make his dream of attending school come true. It is a realistic (and kid-appropriate) depiction of life on the streets and has a positive message about making good choices. I never read anything like this when I was growing up and I wish I had. The exposure to a non-North American culture is invaluable. What a charming and wonderful book. Wholeheartedly recommend. There are some troubling events (death of a parent) and some drug use. Not sure of the best age - 9? 10? But definitely worthwhile!!

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

- 12 yr. old Akash is a math genius who wants to attend school in India
- he is poor and his father dies so he must work to support the family but he runs away to the city instead
- he survives on the streets and meets friends and endures problems
- story of courage, hope, family, poverty and survival
- decent, quick read that paints a vivid picture of what life is like on the streets for homeless children
- book is interesting for adults but I have doubts that children would enjoy it much
- too many details about Indian holidays, religion, and math
- reading level: gr. 5
- interest level: gr. 5-7

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 perseverance when faced with horrible circumstances.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.