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Thirst
Last updated Thursday, November 2, 2023
Author: Varsha Bajaj
Date of Publication: 2022
ISBN: 0593354397
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2023
Synopsis:
Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited to a few hours a day and the communal taps have long lines. Lately, though, even that access is threatened by severe water shortages and thieves who are stealing this precious commodity - an act that Minni accidentally witnesses one night.
Meanwhile, in the high-rise building where she just started to work, she discovers that water streams out of every faucet and there's even a rooftop swimming pool. What Minni also discovers there is one of the water mafia bosses. Now she must decide whether to expose him and risk her job and maybe her life. How did something as simple as access to water get so complicated?
| Note to readers: |
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“Thirst” is the story of 12-year-old Meena ('Minni') whose dreamy world is suddenly upturned and must overcome not just the daily difficulties of low-caste life in India, but must also address personal danger after witnessing a "water mafia" crime, assume additional responsibilities when family members are forced to leave their home, and accept insults while working as a maid…even as she strives to complete her education.
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The source of tension in the book is the scarcity of water in the densely-populated city Mumbai, which mostly affects the lower classes in Indian society. This leads to social tensions, organized crime, and disease. The novel is inspired by a headline in a Mumbai newspaper about the water mafia, organized thieves that steal and re-sell water, who become too powerful for the police to control.
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The author provides famous words from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" at the beginning of the book: "Water, water everywhere…nor any drop to drink." The city of Mumbai is nearly surrounded by water, but the Arabian Sea-water is too salty to drink.
SUGGESTION:
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The book is rich with detail, each chapter is charming or exciting or educational.
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It can be read as-is in chapter order…given that we can generally cover approx. 30-35 pages during our time together, this will get through Chapter 7…we will have met Minni and her family and the boys will have witnessed the water theft and just barely escaped.
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An alternative to get a more complete appreciation of the complexity and adventures in the story is to read the following chapters instead:
1-2: Meet Minni and her family
5-6-7: Minni and her brother spy on the water mafia and barely escape the scary criminal boss…her brother must go into hiding
12: Minni's mother is getting sicker and must also leave the family home. Minni must do more chores and learn new responsibilities
34: Working as a maid while her mother is away, Minni is shocked to discover that the father of the family she serves is…the scary criminal boss!
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This can lead into imagining how she might bring the criminal boss to justice, since after all she is small and powerless… he is powerful. If there is time, these chapters will fill in more of the story:
39-39: Minni "steals" a photo of the father and finds a surprising was to deliver it to the police (who have a new and dynamic crime-fighting leader)
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This still provides a "cliff-hanger" finish to the reading… with plenty of story left to see whether Minni's action will have its desired effect. Hopefully the kids will want to read the story to see… and they will also learn many things about India and about the resourceful Minni.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What is the most valuable substance on earth? (We cannot live without air or water; although usually “free” because of their abundance when they become scarce they are priceless.)
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In some places and at certain times of the year when water is less plentiful people must wait in long lines for water. (This is also all-too-common an occurrence in wartime.)
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Have you ever been required to handle extra responsibilities? (like when a family member is ill or away) How has that changed the amount of free time you have?
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What are some things that you can, or should, do if you witness a crime or see something that just isn’t right?
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Many societies have respectful ways that they address their family and community members.
In this book respected elders in the community are called by their name immediately followed by “Aunty” or “Uncle.” (example: the baker is known as “Naan-Aunty”), a mentor may be addressed as “didi” (big sister, example “Priya-didi”), a powerful woman is addressed as “Ma’am” (example “Anita-Ma’am”). Have you heard any other ways that people politely
address one another?
Vocabulary:
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Bollywood: the Indian equivalent of “Hollywood,” known for incorporation of multiple music and dance sequences into almost every movie
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bribery: the criminal use of money or something of value to obtain special treatment
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chai: a type of Indian tea, made by boiling the tea leaves with milk, sugar, and cardamom
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desalination: the process of removing salt from seawater
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extortion: obtaining something valuable, especially money, through force or threats
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hepatitis: a liver disease often caused by a virus found in contaminated water or food
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jai ho: Indian (Hindi) word for “Victory”
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mafia: an organized group of criminals using extortion, bribery, and other criminal methods.
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memsahib: (in the old colonial days) a white foreign woman of high social status living in India. Especially: the wife of a British official.
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monsoon: a seasonal change in the direction of the wind of an area, often causing heavy rain
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Mumbai: (formerly called Bombay) the financial capital of India and its most populous city (12 million)
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pakoda: a savory deep-fried battered onion and vegetable treat
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proverb: a short story, or saying, that states a general truth or piece of advice
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roti: buttery indian flatbread, unleavened…sort of like a flour tortilla
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sari: a dress-like garment made from a length of cotton or silk decoratively wrapped around the body, traditionally worn by women in India
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vaccine: a medicine, often given as an injection, that stimulates the body’s immune system to
fight a particular disease, like the flu or Covid-19
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Minni’s mom and dad did not finish school. Minni spends an afternoon helping her friend sell magazines; Latika quit school because she could not afford the glasses she needed to read.
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Latika makes Minni promise to finish school no matter what. How does school make a difference in peoples’ lives?
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Minni calls the police hotline to report the water thieves…but the policeman laughs when he hears that she is only 12 years old (“what can a 12-year-old teach us police about crime?”). How would you feel / what would you do if you received that kind of response?
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When Minni’s mom moves to the countryside because she is sick, Minni must assume lots of extra responsibilities: she must stand in line for water and boil the water to get rid of germs, she must wash the clothes, and she has to become a maid for Anita-Ma’am so that her mother’s job will still be available when she gets better. How would you handle these extra responsibilities?
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Minni’s best friend Faiza helps Minni by taking notes in school when Minni can’t be there, sharing her lunch, listening to her, and helping her report the criminals to the police. What types of things might you be able to do if your friends need help?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Design a colorful sign for Minni’s dad’s tea café (he makes the best chai and pakodas!)
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Design a flyer for Minni and her friend Faiza to hand out to advertse her mom’s new baking business, “Rohini’s Rotis”
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Create a community service flyer warning against (or offering a reward for) Water Thieves. . . OR
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November is the month of Thanksgiving! Make a “Happy Thanksgiving” Card using a the outline of a hand with the fingers slightly spread…the thumb will be the neck and head of the turkey with the fingers being the tail feathers…add lots of fun details with construction paper and/or markers / paint and googly eyes. OR
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Make a front view of a turkey with a paper plate…make a face with markers or construction paper. Add tail feathers around the top of the plate. Add feet. And…googly eyes!
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For illustrated directions on how to draw and decorate a turkey, see http://readingtokids.org/News/how_to_draw_a_turkey.pdf
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November is also reading to Kids College Spirit month! Have the kids create their own college logos based on the college logo you volunteer(s) share on something you are wearing. They can even create their own imaginary college logo!
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| Special activities: |
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Do the word search.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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