Roar

Varsha Bajaj (VarshaBajaj.com) is the author of the middle grade novels Thirst (a New York Times bestseller and Global Read Aloud selection) and Count Me In. She also wrote the picture books Family of Friends, A Garland of Henna, The Home Builders (an Imagination Library selection), and This Is Our Baby, Born Today (a Bank Street Best Book). She grew up in Mumbai, India, and when she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by books, which helped her learn about the culture. She lives in Houston, Texas.

* “A tiger-loving Texan tween attempts to protect these endangered creatures while staying with his grandparents in India. Rohan and his cousin Mira, who’s visiting from Bengaluru, love going to the tiger sanctuary where G-pa works; they’re thrilled to observe a tiger named Arya and her playful cubs. . . . Bajaj’s immersive prose transports readers to a tranquil forest teeming with vibrant wildlife. Information about tiger anatomy, habitats, and history is seamlessly woven into the story. Chapters told from the perspective of Arya and her friend Crow enrich the narrative; Bajaj writes with empathy for these animals without veering into sentimentality. Rohan’s journey is a compelling one; he begins the novel passionate about safeguarding tigers but shy about expressing himself and emerges as a committed activist. Uncomfortable truths of the complexity of encroaching into wildlife habitats, locals aiding poachers, and the brutality of nature are balanced out with an overarching note of hope. A rousing call for conservation efforts to safeguard the majestic tiger.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review* “A tiger-obsessed fifth grader finds purpose—and peril—awaiting him abroad in this absorbing eco-conscious adventure. . . . Riveting third-person narration primarily centers Ro while occasionally spotlighting chapters from the perspective of Arya, a tiger whose survival hangs in the balance, which lend immediacy to the conservation stakes. Introspective language seamlessly incorporates accessible information about the animals’ storied place in India’s cultural and environmental history. As the cousins confront not only habitat loss but also the sobering realities of greed and mortality, Bajaj (Thirst) juggles suspense with sensitivity, crafting vibrant characters and a propulsive plot that underscores the cost of inaction in a heartfelt, page-turning call to stewardship.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review“Shifting focus between Rohan and Arya, this accessible middle-grade book offers a peek into the world of animal conservation from both animal and human angles. Rohan learns that poaching and trophy hunting dwindled the tiger populations in India until laws were put into place to protect them, but the situation with the miners makes it clear conservation is much more complicated and has various stakeholders, and the environmental impact must be weighed against the real need for work for those in the community. Rohan takes in all sides of the argument, and while he loves tigers, he also understands that protecting them can have cascading effects. The story depicts animals conversing with each other, but it rarely feels anthropomorphic, and the cruelty they suffer at human hands is as disheartening to Rohan as it is honest. This will appeal to readers looking to dive deeper into the complexities of environmentalism and learn about human impact on dwindling and protected species. An author’s note includes resources to learn more about tiger conservation.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books