Thirst by Varsha Bajaj

The Hook: 

During a hurricane or tornado, have you ever experienced not having clean water to drink? Luckily, we can go to the stores and buy bottled water (IF they have it in stock). Minni is not so lucky. In her small village in Mumbai—the poorest part of Mumbai—access to water is greatly limited. To get any water, you must stand in long lines to fill your bucket from the spicket. If the water runs out, your family does not get any. And that is happening more and more because thieves are stealing the water in the middle of the night. Minni, her best friend, and their brothers witness a crime when they see Mafia bosses stealing water. Unfortunately, the bad guys see them too and chase after them. They got away but it was close, especially for the two boys. They hope the bad guys did not get close enough to identify them. Out of an abundance of caution, Minni’s family sends her brother and his friend to the country to stay with cousins.  

Life goes along as they all keep a low profile. Minni begins working at a high-rise apartment complex as a housekeeper. There she discovers water running out of every faucet and even a swimming pool. How can the rich have so much water? Then, she spots the Mafia boss. Should she expose him and risk her job as well as her life? You will have to read the book to find out. 

This book is in our library.  It is also in Sora and Axis 360 as an eBook and an audio book. It is 5 AR points. 

My Thoughts and Recommendations (Careful! There Could Be Spoilers): 

Although this book is fiction, it is a vivid portrayal of what life is like in Mumbai where income disparities are striking. There is a very real problem of water shortages in Mumbai and the poor lack access in comparison to the wealthy. It also shows how digging your way out of poverty is extremely difficult. Education is a hard-earned privilege. Most kids drop out of school early to work and bring in money so you will see generation after generation live in poverty. I like the fact that this book allows us to see what life is like in other countries.  

Minni strives toward justice in her small community and her friends and family support each other throughout this fast-paced action-adventure story. It is a quick read in that it is only 179 pages long. 

I recommend this for 5th-8th grade kids. 4.2 stars.