Set during the annual Diwali celebration, this is a story of India past and present. Kumar is invited to the house of Andal (a high-caste Brahmin), where he faces caste discrimination

A great story about life and history in India, that also gives hope and inspiration. A book about a hopeful boy and his family being outcasts in the caste system of India.

Kumar is a fourth grade boy living in India and today is Diwali, the festival of lights. His friend Andal has invited him over to watch the fireworks. Andal is of the higher brahmin caste and Kumar is from outside the caste system. Though his family discourages him, Kumar visits his friend’s house and learns about Indian caste system’s complex past and hopeful future. The story is told through stand alone text would be accessible to newly independent readers or to younger children as a read aloud. The colorful drawn illustrations provide appropriate contextualization to the setting and certain plot elements that are likely to be unfamiliar to young readers. Color is used effectively to demonstrate the Diwali holiday and to illustrate flashes to the past. Though the story involves the Diwali holiday, this book does not attempt to reflect the meaning of the holiday and should not be purchased as holiday concept book. Rather this book seeks to introduce to readers the past and current complexities of the Indian caste system while projecting positively into the future. The back matter includes a glossary and an author’s note about the inspiration for this story. This book would be successful during a story hour on social justice, with older children or as an accompaniment to a social studies class. This book is recommended for purchase as a book about acceptance and social injustice. (Ages 7-12) ( )