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Eight-year-old Anu’s beloved grandfather,
Bapu has brought the magic of India to the Pacific Northwest. Bird-watching
together and sharing secrets, Anu and Bapu are inseparable. When Bapu suddenly
dies in the forest, a piece of Anu goes with him.
But Anu knows that a whisper of Bapu has
stayed behind. And once he decides to search for his grandfather’s
spirit, Anu is a boy on a mission. He enlists the help of his loyal friends
Izzy and Unger. From shaving his head to making up fortunes in the hope
of becoming holier, Anu tries everything to bring back Bapu. Finally,
the trio of friends voyages to the island of the Mystery Museum to consult
the famous magician Karnak.
First Chapter
Download Audio Excerpt: Chapter One
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What they're saying ...
- Capitol
Choices Noteworthy book (Download
the list here)
- Nominated
for Hawaii’s 2008
Nene Award
- Nominated
for Washington Library Media Association’s
2009 Sasquatch Reading
Award
- “[A]
moving story about surviving an unexpected, shocking loss. “ — Horn
Book magazine
- “Imaginative...hilarious...
An excellent read aloud.” — Booklist
- “Tender...touching
and believable...This perceptive exploration of one child’s grief
demonstrates that grief is a universal emotion that flows through
all cultures.”
— Publishers Weekly
- “[Anu’s]
adaptation of mystical ways...adds spice and humor to the story...The
post-September 11th setting realistically reveals the stereotypes and
bias confronting the protagonist’s family and friends without
being overbearing. A visit to the mystery museum brings the
story to a satisfying conclusion...many readers will see this novel
as a window to a culture they know little about.”
— School
Library Journal
- This
touching (and at times humorous) story of a young boy coping
with death is also a wonderful introduction to Indian culture.
Woven seamlessly into the story are the Hindu gods and goddesses
that Bapu worships and many Hindi traditions and customs. This
is a wonderful addition to any school library. Recommended.”
— Children’s Literature
- “What’s
unusual here? First, cross-generational religious differences come into
play…Second, Anu mourns with the help of his friends: schoolmate
Unger, and Izzy…And Bapu’s death, Auntie Biku’s visit
from India and Anu’s plan to transform himself into a sadhu, or
holy man, play out right after 9/11. Anjali Banerjee deftly keeps all
this in balance. We never lose sight of either the serious issues--the
family’s loss and love--or the comedic ones--an 8-year-old’s
rocky path to becoming a holy man.”
— Mary Harris Russell, The Chicago Tribune
- “Sophisticated
and very likable.”
— Katie Haegele, The Philadelphia Inquirer
- “A
sensitive look at one boy’s struggle in dealing with his grandfather’s
death…[Banerjee’] crisp, imaginative writing considers
spiritual matters in a way appropriate for young people…Anu’s
searching takes him through hilarious escapades and touching
moments of insight.”
—Steve Johnson, The Wichita Eagle
- “The
richness of this story is beyond the scope of any review. The writing
style is both polished…and appropriate for young readers. The
exploration of relationships…is fascinating and well-developed.
But the cultural windows that Looking for Bapu offer are in some ways
the story’s most valuable quality. Readers can see how different
we are: Hindu beliefs, lifestyle and values are portrayed and contrasted
with Western ways of being (embodied not least by Anu’s parents).
An equally important message, though, is how we are all the same: grief,
love and perseverance unite us all, regardless of age, culture or religion.
Although set in the American Pacific Northwest, this story would be
a rewarding addition to any Canadian study of multiculturalism for Grades
Three through Five.” Highly recommended/****
— Michelle Superle, Canadian Review of Materials.
- “Looking
for Bapu is
a thoughtful and thought-provoking book. Though Ms. Banerjee addresses
such heavy ideas as death, racism, and god, Looking
for Bapu is an uplifting, almost magical, read. Children
who have lost loved ones will find an empathetic friend in
Anu.”
— Pooja Makhijani, Kahani, a South Asian literary magazine for children
- “This
story is great on many levels. Any child or adult who loses a loved
one can relate to the pain and almost agonizing search for wanting them
back home… They can also relate to a small child on a mission
of a great adventure with fun and mystery.”
— Natasha Jaksich, The Tacoma Weekly
On many reading lists:
“A fabulous
book to have on hand. Well-written, engaging, and understandable.” –fusenumber8
Published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
US $15.95/$21.00 CAN
ISBN 0-385-74657-1
ORDER from Random House, Inc.
ORDER from Random House of Canada Ltd.
ORDER from Amazon.com |
