Ajay and the Mumbai Sun

Ajay’s is one of the Mumbai railway kids who live upon their wits and dreams. While Vinod has the skills of a chef, Yasmin is a talented illustrator. Then again, Jai has sharp cricketing talent, while Saif’s mechanical skills suggest he would be a superb engineer. However, Ajay is determined to make a future as a newspaper reporter on Mr Gupta’s City Paper.

However when an opportunity to impress himself upon Mr Gupta goes badly wrong, Ajay finds another route to journalism. It seems an old printing press and then his friends’ combined skills might create their own paper, the Mumbai Sun. What’s more, there’s a ready made story in their slum setting. What is the story of clearance notices that appear, are photographed and disappear again. Then again, what are the plans for the place where so many live? While Mrs Shania promises better housing for all, there’s something FISHY about the whole business. Ajay is determined to uncover the truth.

However, Ajay’s investigations come up against some tough and dangerous opposition that seems to lead to Bollygarchs and subterfuge. How can a slum boy hope to reveal a network of lies and exploitation?

Bookwagon recommends Ajay and the Mumbai Sun to our middle grade readers. From the outset, we’re caught up in Ajay’s plans and dreams, and long for him, and his railway friends, to get the breaks they deserve. Then we need to know what is really planned for the place where they live, and who is behind it.This is a really strong, beautifully realised and strongly plotted novel that will engage readers thoroughly.