Varsha Bajaj (varshabajaj.com) is the author of the middle-grade novels Count Me In (a Global Read Aloud Selection) and Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood (shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included on the Spirit of Texas Reading Program). She also wrote the picture books The Home Builders and This Is Our Baby, Born Today (a Bank Street Best Book). She grew up in Mumbai, India, and when she came to the United States to obtain her master's degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by her awareness of the culture through books. She lives in Houston, Texas.
* “Minni lives with her family in Mumbai, India in an incredibly
poor neighborhood. Their only access to clean water occurs during a
set time of day when the spout is turned on and members of the
community wait in line for their turn to fill their containers.
It’s both time-consuming and inequitable. One night while out
riding with her brother, Minni witnesses thieves stealing water. .
. . While working, Minni is confronted by the abundance of water
everywhere. It just pours freely out of the faucets in the
bathrooms and the kitchen—something she has never witnessed before.
. . . This title gives readers a powerful look at the importance of
free water and how the inequalities surrounding its distribution
impacts communities in India. The story is filled with hope and
faith as Minni learns the importance of education, family,
friendship, opportunities, and taking a stand for her
community.”—School Library Connection, starred review
* “Twelve-year-old Minni and her older brother Sanjay might live in
a poor neighborhood in India, but they have big dreams: to finish
school, get good jobs, and maybe live in one of the tall buildings
where water runs from the taps. . . . The story largely focuses on
Minni’s internal thirst—for her family to be reunited, for
knowledge, for opportunity, for fair treatment. . . . Minni is a
likable narrator, and readers will connect with her dreams and
courage in the face of unfair treatment. The book also serves as a
window into class difference. . . . A meditative first purchase for
middle grade collections.” —School Library Journal, starred
review
* “Varsha Bajaj (Count Me In) brings awareness to the world water
crisis and social inequality with Thirst, a moving, hopeful story.
. . . Bajaj thoughtfully examines class and privilege, making
topics like water access and income inequality accessible to
middle-grade readers. Bajaj shows how a lack of clean water, decent
health care and education can affect people's lives. Minni can't
focus on schoolwork because she's hungry and exhausted; anger, fear
and frustration frequently play out in the water line; and people
adapt just to survive their environment (e.g., boiling water to
fend off diseases). Water may not flow freely like it does in the
high-rise Minni works in, but community and hope do. A sense of
togetherness—whether it's Minni's aunties bringing her food or the
school guard allowing her to enter school late—pulses through this
meaningful narrative.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
“In this poignant, relatable work, Bajaj expertly depicts class and
wealth differences; Minni’s worries for her mother and anger at the
injustices inflicted on her community are especially moving. A
valiant call for justice.” —Kirkus Reviews
"A 12-year-old investigates water stolen from her Mumbai
neighborhood in this clear look at resource access and wealth
disparity. . . . Aptly describing variations between rich and the
poor and alternating Minni’s first-person telling with the child’s
observant journal entries, Bajaj (Count Me In) writes an engaging
literary mystery." —Publishers Weekly
"[There] are real and clear hardships, but Minni’s thoughtful
narration and occasional poetry also depict a family and community
working tirelessly to support one another and instill hope in an
environment that’s especially hard on women and children. Inspired
problem-solving and help from a charming cast of characters. . . .
An author’s note draws attention to the realities of the water
crisis in India." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's
Books
"The kids are smart and savvy, and their friendship is strong, so
when a series of calamities adds layers of danger, they support one
another through the worst of it. This fast-paced adventure story
includes a vivid portrayal of life in a place where income
disparities are glaring, education is a hard-won privilege, and a
lot hangs in the balance when you take a risk. The main plot
involves the kids’ accidental encounter with the water mafia,
thieves who steal and sell fresh water illegally. This is a real
and perilous fact in Mumbai and . . . is convincingly portrayed.
There’s a lot to learn about and to like here: the characters, the
humor, the emotional roller-coaster ride, and
more." —Booklist
“Bajaj’s suspenseful novel peels back the curtain on class and
caste inequities and how they create a cycle of poverty that
spirals through generations. Minni’s thirst for what’s right steers
the novel toward an optimistic conclusion in which one person can
bring about big changes.” —Horn Book
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