A very worthwhile book about life in an Indian slum, told from the perspective of a nine-year-old.

Powerful but a lot more depressing and sad than I was expecting. The "Djinn" fooled me into thinking it was a bit of an adventure story. It's not.

NYT best of 2020. Child protag, mystery.

Don't ask me why I thought this was a fantasy book as it's really not - it's a book about young friends living in a shanty-town in India. Jai is the main character and he's fairly unflappable but then kids start going missing in his school, so he sets out with his mates to solve the mystery. It's good and quite moving, especially when you learn it's based on a true story.

Perhaps it’s the reporter’s instinct for detail that makes this debut book so riveting. As a journalist, Anappara saw a lot of poor neighborhoods desperate for the return of missing and most likely exploited children. In her creation of a young child as the protagonist in this story, she has created an observer not hindered by adult knowledge, one who sees the world through new eyes. Jai lives in a slum. He goes to school unwillingly, and for good reason—gangs, uncaring teachers and large classes. He‘s Hindi. One of his best friends is Muslim. His other best friend is a girl who excels in academics. His sister is involved in track and field at their school and hopes to be able to compete on the state level. As children disappear from the neighborhood, Jai and his two friends, become detectives hoping to discover what has happened to them. Local Hindis want to blame it on the Muslims, which turns out to be false, but puts undue pressure on the small Muslim population. As a children’s librarian, I’ve always been impressed by the unexpected, wise observations of children, and this book confirms my belief. Children can be keen observers of the word around them. Although the city is unnamed in the book, if you’ve read BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS you are familiar with the corrupt police forces, the conditions of slums, and the challenges of survival. This book puts a clear picture in the reader’s mind of the toll it takes on children.

When your friend goes missing in an Indian shanty town. Strong reviews.

***

I really enjoyed this book, it follows the story of 9 year old Jai's investigation to his friend's disappearance, in a shantytown in India. It's told from his point of view and right from page 1, you are immersed in his world. This book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of living in an impoverished basti in India, which has an interesting spin when narrated by a child.