// Dear Mrs. Naidu by @mathangiwrites

I knew I'd go back for more the minute I finished reading Subramanian's A People's History of Heaven. Dear Mrs. Naidu is both similar yet different from the former title but one thing that remained constant was the beautiful writing. Set in Bangalore in a Basti, this quirky and warm read is written from the perspective of a 12 year old girl. Sharing the same name as the renowned Sarojini Naidu, this girl dreams of studying in a better school and does everything in her power to make it happen. What begins as a school project in which the children are asked to write letters to anyone they intend to, the little Sarojini turns to the once political activist which eventually changes her life. This book is really a bunch of letters packed with humour, wit and an abundance of charm.

Sarojini is 12 when she suddenly loses her best friend Amir, who has now moved to a private school. The government school that she goes to has no playground or toilets. When she accidentally learns about the Right to Education, she sets on a mission to make her school better. This includes the involvement of a whole bunch of women from her basti, a lawyer, Sarojini's friends and ultimately the great Sarojini Naidu herself. Written in the form letters, this book makes for such a wonderful read not only for children but also for adults alike. There's a lot to learn from this story, be it the negligence of the government or the corruption that still persists at posh schools, about the various laws that grants free education to those who fall below the poverty line. The writing is laid-back with the honesty that comes with being a child. Subramanian gives a lot of emphasis on friendships and loyalty, which was often the case with A People's History of Heaven too. If you're looking for a thoughtful gift for your child or anyone else for that matter, Dear Mrs. Naidu is the one for you.

I recommend it.