Looking For Bapu

October 1, 2006
Banerjee's (Maya Running) tender story explores a boy's reaction to the death of a loved one. When eight-year-old Anu's beloved Bapu (grandfather) suffers a stroke while the two are out bird-watching in the woods, Anu feels responsible. He thinks if only he'd brought the cell phone, the rescue workers might have arrived sooner, saving Bapu's life. His parents try to reassure Anu that it wasn't his fault, but they are distracted by their own grief. Anu is convinced that, if he's good, Bapu will come back. Yet the boy fears Bapu will be unable to return, as he watches his parents box up Bapu's belongings and make arrangements to cremate him and throw his ashes into the Twin Rivers. Anu tries to become a sadhu, an Indian holy man who goes without material comforts, in hopes of connecting with his grandfather. Anu's longing for Bapu is touching and believable, as is his need to be reassured that his grandfather's death was not his fault. The addition of Indian beliefs and customs strengthens the story and helps readers understand the loving bond between Anu and his beloved grandfather. A less successful thread involves references to September 11, and the prejudiced attitude toward Anu and his family (one of the ambulance medics says that Bapu resembled "that damned Bin Laden"). This perceptive exploration of one child's grief demonstrates that grief is a universal emotion that flows through all cultures. Ages 7-10.

October 1, 2006
Gr 4-7-Living with working parents in the Seattle area, Anu spends a lot of time with his Indian grandfather. When Bapu has a stroke and later dies, the boy cannot let go of his guilt or his wish to stay connected. Then Auntie Biku visits from India, bringing a video of the "sadhus", or holy men, and Anu is inspired to become one of them so that he can maintain his contact with Bapu. His adaptation of mystical ways, such as trying to roll to school, copying the "sadhu" who is said to have rolled thousands of miles, adds spice and humor to the story. Anu remains thoroughly American even as his roots in his Eastern tradition and culture are strong. The post-September 11th setting realistically reveals the stereotypes and bias confronting the protagonists family and friends without being overbearing. A visit to a mystery museum brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. While many readers will see this novel as a window to a culture they know little about, the real value to most collections will be in providing Indian Americans with a chance to see themselves and their culture affirmed."Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2006
When his grandfather Bapu suffers a stroke, eight-year-old Anu runs for help, but his grandfather dies in the hospital. Grief-stricken, Anu remembers Bapu's daily Hindu rituals and shared moments, and he continues to see Bapu in dreams and visions. As these fade, Anu tries to reconnect with Bapu through a variety of imaginative strategies, including a hilarious attempt to become a " sadhu" or holy man. His friendships with classmate Unger and neighbor Izzy also add humorous elements that lighten the tone and move the plot. But there are more serious moments as well. Set in Seattle shortly after 9/11, Anu's narrative records incidents of prejudice, as when one emergency worker refers to him as "a little Islam." With episodes that ring true to a boy's perspective, Banerjee's novel provides discussable issues and multicultural insights as well as humor and emotion. An excellent read aloud and a fine title for libraries serving East Indian communities.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)