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toni_says_smile's review
5.0
Loved this book! Ajay is a plucky underdog full of determination and excitement. I loved watching him fulfil his dream and was genuinely swept up by the story - the pacing was really good. The humour woven through the story made me smile despite the hard times within it, and the ending was really satisfying. (Unbelievable sure, but it's the ending you want from a children's book!)
I think the setting also added a lot to the story. The realities of the way of life for the railway children didn't detract from the fact that they were individuals with their own talents and hopes. The refusal to shy away from real life topics also makes this a great book for kids curious about the world, without being as doom and gloom as actual news stories. Plus the food descriptions were inspiring.
Big fan of Ajay and his team!
I think the setting also added a lot to the story. The realities of the way of life for the railway children didn't detract from the fact that they were individuals with their own talents and hopes. The refusal to shy away from real life topics also makes this a great book for kids curious about the world, without being as doom and gloom as actual news stories. Plus the food descriptions were inspiring.
Big fan of Ajay and his team!
bardicbramley's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
meghziefromwessex's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emiboulder's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charlotte101's review
5.0
My ten year old son and I loved reading this book together. It’s a wonderful story of a young boy with big dreams living in a Mumbai train station. It’s a real page turner and towards the end it was so gripping we had to read extra chapters each evening as we couldn’t put it down! The whole world depicted in the story felt different from what we normally read… the lives of street children, the tastes and sights of India, journalistic escapades. The book handles issues of social justice in an age appropriate way for young readers, and sparked some interesting conversations with my son about inequalities and justice.
Best of all are the characters - we both loved Ajay and his friends. We hope there’s a sequel so we can see more of their lives. Overall this is a wonderful, exciting and thought- provoking book, with fun characters in a vivid setting.
Best of all are the characters - we both loved Ajay and his friends. We hope there’s a sequel so we can see more of their lives. Overall this is a wonderful, exciting and thought- provoking book, with fun characters in a vivid setting.
sopesock's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
(5)
An exiting, action-packed middle grade novel about a group of kids living on the streets of Mumbai who start printing their own newspaper. When a textile company building collapses during the monsoon rains, Ajay and his friends take it upon themselves to find who was responsible and make shocking discoveries - But uncovering the truth has its consequences....
I really enjoyed reading this novel and it can teach a lot about classism and fast fashion, while also inspiring children to follow their dreams no matter what anyone says.
Really could not put this down !!!
An exiting, action-packed middle grade novel about a group of kids living on the streets of Mumbai who start printing their own newspaper. When a textile company building collapses during the monsoon rains, Ajay and his friends take it upon themselves to find who was responsible and make shocking discoveries - But uncovering the truth has its consequences....
I really enjoyed reading this novel and it can teach a lot about classism and fast fashion, while also inspiring children to follow their dreams no matter what anyone says.
Really could not put this down !!!
kvegan's review
4.0
Well written and enjoyable Young adult caper about a poor boy who sets up a printing press and reports on the contemporary problems of overcrowded and unsafe working conditions in Indian factories.