Kashmira Sheth

This is a good story that will find interested readers if it's booktalked. I think just the plain fact that child slavery exists will grab young readers. This book challenges them to face what it's like to be a victim of poverty, to live on the streets, to be kidnapped and forced to work night and day far away from your family. It's very heavy stuff, but it's told in a way that children as young as 9 or 10 will be able to absorb.

The story centers on Gopal, a boy who loves his small village but is forced to sneak away with his family to Mumbai so his parents can escape crushing debt. Their experience in the gritty, stinky Mumbai slums would be harsh enough, but on top of that Gopal is kidnapped and sold into slavery. He and five other boys are locked into a small building where they toil night and day gluing beads onto frames. Gopal, a smart kid, dreams of escape but is dragged down by the hopelessness of his situation. Can he bring the other boys together to help escape?

I admire the author for making this kind of story accessible to young readers, but I thought her writing was a little clunky, particularly when she tried to thread Hindi and Marathi words into the English text. Also, I had trouble distinguishing the five boys Gopal meets in the sweat shop. At first, they have no names (hence the title) so Gopal makes up nicknames for them. Still, some of their personalities tended to blend together for me.

All in all, though, a very interesting book that may inspire activism and at the very least promote awareness.… (meer)