When twelve-year-old Sarojini is forced to begin the school year without her best friend, Amir, who begins attending a higher class school outside of their neighborhood, she becomes wholly conflicted about her own social standing. Fortuitously, Sarojini’s spirited new teacher assigns her to write letters to someone she would like to know, and as Sarojini channels her thoughts as correspondence with her deceased, freedom-fighter namesake, Sarojini Naidu, she awakens her own sense of activism, communal relationships, familial bonds, and confirmed friendships, both old and new. (Grades 6 and up).
Written for SABA
Tiger Boy
A gripping and heartfelt tale of a young boy’s love for, and sense of responsibility towards, his island home in the Sunderbands of West Bengal and the wildlife that shares it with him. Universal concerns of conservation, equal education, and economic inequality are seamlessly intertwined with the narrative of Neel’s daily life and his adventure with a tiger cub. (Grades 3-6).
Outside In
Twelve-year old Ram survives on the streets of Chandigarh, India, winning games of gilli for money. After a game goes wrong, Ram darts deep into the forest, where he encounters a mysterious man, Nek, who creates art with scraps of metal and junk. Can Ram discover a way to keep Nek’s sculptures safe? (Grades 4-8)
Amal Unbound
Twelve-year old Amal aspires to be a teacher in Pakistan. After unintentionally insulting a member of her village’s ruling family, that dream is sunk. As punishment, Amal is forced to leave her distraught family behind and work as an indentured servant at the Khan estate. Discovering their corruptness, Amal summons her courage and intellect to secure justice and freedom. (Grades 5-8)
Manjhi Move a Mountain
In 1960, Dashrath Manjhi quietly decided to dedicate his days to making life better and easier for his Indian community. Using only a hammer and a chisel, he made a significant impact that allowed his neighbors to more easily access water, medical care and better schools. (Grades K-3)