Saraswati's Way is an interesting book about a young boy in India. It starts off when Akash's bapu (father) dies. The family has a hefty debt. Akash, being the only boy beside his sluggish uncle left in the family, is sent off to work so the debt can be paid. When he gets paid his sense of numbers tells him that the debt is not actually going downward. He thinks it s because his family is continuing to take on more debt so that adds to the debt. He doesn t get paid enough to pay that and more, so he runs away on a train, not wanting to keep working forever. When he gets to the train station in Delhi, he meets a group of boys that help him. He sleeps on top of a newspaper booth that the kind owner Ramesh provides. He starts working for Ramesh so he can earn money to go to school. One day Ramesh falls and has to go to the E.R. When Akash is in the waiting room he meets a boy from a private school. The boy tells him that they have a scholarship test and he could possibly win it so he can go to school. Will he win it and his dreams come true? If you want to know the answer read this outstanding book.
Monika's writing is strong and enjoyable. It makes you want to read it in one sitting. One of my favorite things about it is how it makes you feel you are at Akash s side throughout the book. I would certainly read more novels by Monika. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to imagine being in another person's shoes. Overall I think it's a excellent book.
Reviewer Age:12 Uxbridge, Mass. USA
