"Readers will be captivated by this beautifully written novel about young people who must use their instincts and grit to survive. Padma shares with us an unflinching peek into the reality millions of homeless children live every day but also infuses her story with hope and bravery that will inspire readers and stay with them long after turning the final page."--Aisha Saeed, author of the New York Times Bestselling Amal Unbound
Four determined homeless children make a life for themselves in Padma Venkatraman's stirring middle-grade debut.
Life is harsh in Chennai's teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter--and friendship--on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city's trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.
BL
Points
Four determined homeless children make a life for themselves in Padma Venkatraman's stirring middle-grade debut.
Life is harsh in Chennai's teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter--and friendship--on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city's trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.
BL
Points
Activity 1: Go back through the book looking for clues about each character’s physical and internal traits. Record them on a piece of paper. Once complete, create portraits for each of the main characters. Consider the colors you use, the medium you create them with and how it will affect the mood of the piece. I’m looking forward to getting your creative masterpieces.
Activity 2: Pick one of the settings in the book and create a diorama to show that setting. Ideas may include: the graveyard, the bridge, the trash mountain, etc. Once you have picked your setting, write a detailed paragraph explaining your setting and using sensory detail to make your audience feel like they are there. Then use either a shoebox or whatever you might have at home and create your diorama. Can you get creative enough to construct everything with items you already have or recycled materials?
Activity 3:Use Google Slides to create a slideshow presentation on India and street children. Your slide show needs to be at least 5 slides long, with pictures and facts. Try to incorporate some things that Viji and Rukku went through.
Activity 2: Pick one of the settings in the book and create a diorama to show that setting. Ideas may include: the graveyard, the bridge, the trash mountain, etc. Once you have picked your setting, write a detailed paragraph explaining your setting and using sensory detail to make your audience feel like they are there. Then use either a shoebox or whatever you might have at home and create your diorama. Can you get creative enough to construct everything with items you already have or recycled materials?
Activity 3:Use Google Slides to create a slideshow presentation on India and street children. Your slide show needs to be at least 5 slides long, with pictures and facts. Try to incorporate some things that Viji and Rukku went through.