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Roar
The New York Times bestselling author of Thirst brings readers the gripping story of a boy whose eye-opening trip to a tiger sanctuary ignites his desire to join those who are roaring to protect the animals
Rohan loves animals—especially tigers—so he’s beyond thrilled when he gets to fly to India and stay near the tiger sanctuary where his grandfather works. At last, a chance to observe tigers in real life—especially Arya and her twin cubs—and when Ro finally sees them, the experience is even more breathtaking than he’d imagined. When signs of poachers are discovered, he’s distraught, and unfortunately that’s not the only threat the tigers face—protesters have assembled to support a mining company that would encroach upon the tigers’ space. Rohan knows there are always two sides to an argument, and the mines might provide jobs, but it’s clear to him that he must be on the tigers’ side. Then a horrible crime occurs, filling him with determination to do all he can to make sure people know how important it is to protect the tigers.
Rohan loves animals—especially tigers—so he’s beyond thrilled when he gets to fly to India and stay near the tiger sanctuary where his grandfather works. At last, a chance to observe tigers in real life—especially Arya and her twin cubs—and when Ro finally sees them, the experience is even more breathtaking than he’d imagined. When signs of poachers are discovered, he’s distraught, and unfortunately that’s not the only threat the tigers face—protesters have assembled to support a mining company that would encroach upon the tigers’ space. Rohan knows there are always two sides to an argument, and the mines might provide jobs, but it’s clear to him that he must be on the tigers’ side. Then a horrible crime occurs, filling him with determination to do all he can to make sure people know how important it is to protect the tigers.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Varsha Bajaj
18 books109 followersVarsha Bajaj grew up in Mumbai, India. When she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by her awareness of the culture through books. In addition to her previous picture books, she wrote the middle-grade novel Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood, which was shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included on the Spirit of Texas Reading Program. She lives in Houston, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 11, 2026
Rohan loves animals, especially tigers. He is beyond thrilled when he gets to fly to India and stay near the tiger sanctuary where his grandfather works. Observing tigers in real life, is something he has always dreamed of doing. When signs of poachers are discovered, Ro is distraught. Unfortunately, that’s not the only threat the tigers face, as protesters have assembled in support of a mining company that would encroach upon the tiger’s space. Rohan is determined to do all he can to make sure people know how important it is to protect the tigers.
This gripping story is just the right length for third grade and up. I enjoyed learning about life in India and how important it is to save our world’s tigers.
This gripping story is just the right length for third grade and up. I enjoyed learning about life in India and how important it is to save our world’s tigers.
June 13, 2026
Richie’s Picks: ROAR by Varsha Bajaj, Penguin Random House/Nancy Paulsen Books, May 2026, 192p., ISBN: 978-0-593-69905-8
“Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies
Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise”
– Lennon & McCartney “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” (1968)
“A hundred years ago, in 1924, there were approximately 100,000 tigers in the wild.
By 2010, this magnificent species was almost driven to extinction, with only an estimated 3,200 tigers in the wild.
Fortunately, in reaction to this precipitous drop in numbers, the governments of the thirteen tiger-hosting countries came together for the first time at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010. The conference was called Tx2–’tiger times two.’ With the World Wildlife Fund as a partner, they made a commitment to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, which was the next Chinese Year of the Tiger.
They may not have met their goal, but they made significant improvements. In September 2023, the global Tiger Forum estimated that there were 5,574 tigers in the wild.”
– from the Author’s Note
“Arya knew it was time. Small pangs of pain started in the late afternoon and intensified as the sky turned violet. She returned to the cave among the rocks. A dense canopy of trees shielded her. She lay down in the pile of leaves that she’d scooped out.
Crow, an owl, and a few monkeys kept watch from the high branches of the trees while the insects played their music. The dark of the night was lit only by stars and Venus shining above.”
Rohan (Ro), an 11-year-old Texas boy, is bummed out by the decreased parental attention he (the long-time only child) is receiving–thanks to his noisy, rambunctious twin baby sibs. Fortunately, he gets an unexpected opportunity to leave it all behind and travel halfway around the world as an unaccompanied minor, in order to visit his grandparents in India. His G-pa works in a nearby tiger sanctuary, the sanctuary where Arya has just birthed her twin cubs. Also traveling to G-ma’s and G-pa’s is Ro’s cousin Mira, who lives a few hours away from their grandparents.
The cousins will become great friends as they spend quality time in the sanctuary, including getting to see Arya and the cubs. Through these exciting experiences, the cousins will become passionate, engaged, and knowledgeable advocates for the welfare of the big cats.
The primary human conflict in the story involves G-pa’s campaign to prevent a corporation from beginning to mine raw materials nearby, which is bound to negatively impact the sanctuary’s inhabitants.
G-pa’s fight for the tigers–aided by Ro’s and Mira’s participation in the action, and Ro’s mom’s long-distance help with the legal paperwork–exposes middle grade readers to the serious, sometimes deadly threats (like poachers) faced by these amazing and endangered wild creatures.
Ro and Mira’s story periodically yields to naturalistic chapters in which we hang out with Arya and learn lots about tigers and tiger moms. We also meet Crow, Arya’s sharp best friend, who will come through when the chips are down.
ROAR is an excellent read. Despite the depiction of the sometimes intense and tragic results of nature’s food chain processes, ROAR is a relatively quick read, with short chapters. Apart from possibly being a bit challenging for younger readers to thoroughly understand the ins and outs of the issues pitting the conservationists against the business interests, ROAR is a good one for hooking young readers who are working their way into chapter books. The excitement of meeting these majestic creatures halfway around the world, (and maybe even picking up some of Ro and Mira’s passion for protecting tigers) is the sort of stuff that can make reading habit-forming
I’d particularly encourage third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers to add a copy to their classroom collections.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies
Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise”
– Lennon & McCartney “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” (1968)
“A hundred years ago, in 1924, there were approximately 100,000 tigers in the wild.
By 2010, this magnificent species was almost driven to extinction, with only an estimated 3,200 tigers in the wild.
Fortunately, in reaction to this precipitous drop in numbers, the governments of the thirteen tiger-hosting countries came together for the first time at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010. The conference was called Tx2–’tiger times two.’ With the World Wildlife Fund as a partner, they made a commitment to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, which was the next Chinese Year of the Tiger.
They may not have met their goal, but they made significant improvements. In September 2023, the global Tiger Forum estimated that there were 5,574 tigers in the wild.”
– from the Author’s Note
“Arya knew it was time. Small pangs of pain started in the late afternoon and intensified as the sky turned violet. She returned to the cave among the rocks. A dense canopy of trees shielded her. She lay down in the pile of leaves that she’d scooped out.
Crow, an owl, and a few monkeys kept watch from the high branches of the trees while the insects played their music. The dark of the night was lit only by stars and Venus shining above.”
Rohan (Ro), an 11-year-old Texas boy, is bummed out by the decreased parental attention he (the long-time only child) is receiving–thanks to his noisy, rambunctious twin baby sibs. Fortunately, he gets an unexpected opportunity to leave it all behind and travel halfway around the world as an unaccompanied minor, in order to visit his grandparents in India. His G-pa works in a nearby tiger sanctuary, the sanctuary where Arya has just birthed her twin cubs. Also traveling to G-ma’s and G-pa’s is Ro’s cousin Mira, who lives a few hours away from their grandparents.
The cousins will become great friends as they spend quality time in the sanctuary, including getting to see Arya and the cubs. Through these exciting experiences, the cousins will become passionate, engaged, and knowledgeable advocates for the welfare of the big cats.
The primary human conflict in the story involves G-pa’s campaign to prevent a corporation from beginning to mine raw materials nearby, which is bound to negatively impact the sanctuary’s inhabitants.
G-pa’s fight for the tigers–aided by Ro’s and Mira’s participation in the action, and Ro’s mom’s long-distance help with the legal paperwork–exposes middle grade readers to the serious, sometimes deadly threats (like poachers) faced by these amazing and endangered wild creatures.
Ro and Mira’s story periodically yields to naturalistic chapters in which we hang out with Arya and learn lots about tigers and tiger moms. We also meet Crow, Arya’s sharp best friend, who will come through when the chips are down.
ROAR is an excellent read. Despite the depiction of the sometimes intense and tragic results of nature’s food chain processes, ROAR is a relatively quick read, with short chapters. Apart from possibly being a bit challenging for younger readers to thoroughly understand the ins and outs of the issues pitting the conservationists against the business interests, ROAR is a good one for hooking young readers who are working their way into chapter books. The excitement of meeting these majestic creatures halfway around the world, (and maybe even picking up some of Ro and Mira’s passion for protecting tigers) is the sort of stuff that can make reading habit-forming
I’d particularly encourage third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers to add a copy to their classroom collections.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
June 20, 2026
One boy’s love for tigers becomes a roar for conservation.
🐅
Animal-loving Rohan travels to India to visit his grandfather and finally see wild tigers up close at a tiger sanctuary. But his dream trip takes a serious turn when poachers threaten the animals and a proposed mining project puts their habitat at risk. As tensions grow and tragedy strikes, Rohan becomes determined to use his voice to protect the tigers and the future of the sanctuary.
🐯
This was a compelling and accessible look at wildlife conservation through the eyes of a young boy who genuinely cares about making a difference. I loved learning more about tigers and the challenges they face, and the story does a great job presenting the complexities of conservation, including the difficult balance between protecting wildlife and supporting local communities. Rohan’s passion is contagious, and I think this middle grade book will inspire readers to learn more about environmental advocacy and the role they can play in protecting endangered species.
CW: animal death
🐅
Animal-loving Rohan travels to India to visit his grandfather and finally see wild tigers up close at a tiger sanctuary. But his dream trip takes a serious turn when poachers threaten the animals and a proposed mining project puts their habitat at risk. As tensions grow and tragedy strikes, Rohan becomes determined to use his voice to protect the tigers and the future of the sanctuary.
🐯
This was a compelling and accessible look at wildlife conservation through the eyes of a young boy who genuinely cares about making a difference. I loved learning more about tigers and the challenges they face, and the story does a great job presenting the complexities of conservation, including the difficult balance between protecting wildlife and supporting local communities. Rohan’s passion is contagious, and I think this middle grade book will inspire readers to learn more about environmental advocacy and the role they can play in protecting endangered species.
CW: animal death
May 24, 2026
Roar is one of those middle grade books that manages to be both exciting and meaningful at the same time. Varsha Bajaj does a great job building tension and adventure while still keeping the emotional core of the story front and center. The characters felt believable, and I really appreciated how the book explored courage—not as being fearless, but as continuing on even when things feel overwhelming.
What stayed with me most was the heart of the story. There’s a lot packed into a relatively quick read: friendship, resilience, family, and finding your voice when the world expects you to stay quiet. It’s the kind of book that would spark really good conversations with younger readers, but it’s also genuinely enjoyable as an adult.
What stayed with me most was the heart of the story. There’s a lot packed into a relatively quick read: friendship, resilience, family, and finding your voice when the world expects you to stay quiet. It’s the kind of book that would spark really good conversations with younger readers, but it’s also genuinely enjoyable as an adult.
June 25, 2026
Roar is a beautifully written novel about friendship, family, and the conservation of a tiger sanctuary in India. The story follows the unique relationship between a tiger and a crow, as well as a pair of cousins whose family helps run the sanctuary. The narrative flips between the perspectives of the animals and the sanctuary workers. You instantly fall in love with these characters and find yourself deeply invested in their mission to save this special reserve. With a touch of mystery woven in, it’s a true page turner that you won't want to put down. Well done! This book is a fantastic fit for upper elementary and middle-grade readers.
Thank you Nancy Paulsen Books & Net Galley for the ARC.
Thank you Nancy Paulsen Books & Net Galley for the ARC.
July 18, 2026
Rohan, boy from Texas, visits his grandparents in India over winter break. Ro's grandfather works at a nature preserve in northern India. Ro is passionate about saving tigers--an endangered animal native to this part of India. A mining company is threatening to build near the tiger sanctuary. Ro and his cousin become part of a team that petitions the court to do an environmental impact study before issuing permits to the mining company.
The story is told with nuance, explaining differing points of view. The action also keeps moving as Rohan and his cousin do see a tigress, and then help solve a mystery about who has poisoned her.
Tie-ins:
geography--continents, Asian flora and fauna.
Earth Day--conservation
Fountas and Pinnell reading level: W
The story is told with nuance, explaining differing points of view. The action also keeps moving as Rohan and his cousin do see a tigress, and then help solve a mystery about who has poisoned her.
Tie-ins:
geography--continents, Asian flora and fauna.
Earth Day--conservation
Fountas and Pinnell reading level: W
July 20, 2026
Roar shines a light on the important topic of endangered tiger conservation. It's the kind of story that can inspire young readers to care more deeply about wildlife and the role humans play in protecting it (and destroying it😢).
This could have been a five-star read for me, but my one hesitation was the dialogue. At times, the characters spoke in a way that felt too formal or stilted, which made it harder to connect. I found myself wishing the conversations had sounded a little more natural, especially for a middle-grade audience.
Even so, the heart of the story and its message make this an easy recommendation for readers who love animals, conservation, and stories that can spark compassion.
This could have been a five-star read for me, but my one hesitation was the dialogue. At times, the characters spoke in a way that felt too formal or stilted, which made it harder to connect. I found myself wishing the conversations had sounded a little more natural, especially for a middle-grade audience.
Even so, the heart of the story and its message make this an easy recommendation for readers who love animals, conservation, and stories that can spark compassion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 stars
Thank you to Net Galley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Told in alternating viewpoints between Rohan, an 11-year-old kid visiting his grandparents in India, and Arya, a mother tiger living in a nearby sanctuary and trying to raise two cubs.
This is an enjoyable story by the author of Thirst. Like that book, it has a rather overt political agenda (one I happen to agree with wholeheartedly) that can at times feel wooden in the delivery. This is still entertaining and a good read for middle to upper elementary kids, especially those who love tigers, though some plot points are very sad.
Thank you to Net Galley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Told in alternating viewpoints between Rohan, an 11-year-old kid visiting his grandparents in India, and Arya, a mother tiger living in a nearby sanctuary and trying to raise two cubs.
This is an enjoyable story by the author of Thirst. Like that book, it has a rather overt political agenda (one I happen to agree with wholeheartedly) that can at times feel wooden in the delivery. This is still entertaining and a good read for middle to upper elementary kids, especially those who love tigers, though some plot points are very sad.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Roar is such a beautiful story about conservation and hope. Rohan and his cousin are a lot of fun to read about as they explore the wildlife sanctuary where their grandpa works. Ro is obsessed with tigers, and the cousins become invested in a tiger named Arya, especially when it seems like poachers are around.
This is a perfect book for 9+ kids to read about how important it is to protect endangered animals. The chapters are short, and the writing is very accessible.
Thank you to Nancy Paulsen Books for the opportunity to read and review.
This is a perfect book for 9+ kids to read about how important it is to protect endangered animals. The chapters are short, and the writing is very accessible.
Thank you to Nancy Paulsen Books for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5
I read this book with my five year old and we both loved it. We enjoyed learning about tigers in India and especially how sanctuaries help protect tigers in the area. The characters were interesting and the story was so intriguing. We loved trying to figure out the mystery. The biggest highlight for us was the animals. Arya and Crow were such good additions to this book and made it so interesting. Highly recommend for middle grade readers.
I read this book with my five year old and we both loved it. We enjoyed learning about tigers in India and especially how sanctuaries help protect tigers in the area. The characters were interesting and the story was so intriguing. We loved trying to figure out the mystery. The biggest highlight for us was the animals. Arya and Crow were such good additions to this book and made it so interesting. Highly recommend for middle grade readers.
May 21, 2026
Ro loves tigers more than anyone else he knows. So, when he gets the chance to visit his family in India and spend time on a tiger reserve, he is thrilled. Once he arrives, he meets Arya, a beautiful tigress who just had two cubs. The more he spends time with his family and the animals, the more Ro learns about life and nature.
This story was a quick read and perfect for middle grade animal lovers.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
This story was a quick read and perfect for middle grade animal lovers.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!
June 25, 2026
I had mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the characters of Mira and Rohan and the glimpses of Indian culture. But I often felt the plot was just a vehicle to pass along information about tigers and conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. Middle grade readers might prefer the non-fiction book, "The Lion Queens of India" by Jan Reynolds. In a classroom setting, the two could be paired together.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An elementary novel about tigers, the efforts to help them, and the many forces working against them. Told through the eyes of an 11-year-old Indian-American boy, visiting India and experiencing all the wonders and tragedies of the work to help tigers survive and thrive. Writing is overly didactic at times, especially dialogue, but animal lovers will be willing to overlook that.
May 25, 2026
Yeah, the magical realism/talking animals completely took me out of this every time it came up. And I'm unaware of tigers carrying their cubs on their back. Sloth bears, yes. Other than that, I appreciate that it brings up the issue facing sanctuaries and tigers and those who live near them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC!
May 25, 2026
Excellent upper middle grade - compelling characters, fascinating setting that really draws you in, and lots of fascinating information about tigers. The conservation story line does not derail the plot at all - instead, the plot is enhanced by the plight of the tigers of India. Briskly paced - perfect for a reluctant reader.
June 12, 2026
4.5 stars
"Nature is beautiful and brutal all at the same time."
What an interesting book about a boy, Rogan, who travels to India to visit his grandparents. His cousin Mira is there visiting too, and they learn about the tiger sanctuary where G-pa works. Problems for one tiger, Arya, as well as the sanctuary overall, are discussed in the book.
A very well done story!
"Nature is beautiful and brutal all at the same time."
What an interesting book about a boy, Rogan, who travels to India to visit his grandparents. His cousin Mira is there visiting too, and they learn about the tiger sanctuary where G-pa works. Problems for one tiger, Arya, as well as the sanctuary overall, are discussed in the book.
A very well done story!
June 27, 2026
Rohan is excited to visit his grandparents in India and to meet the famous tiger, Arya, at the tiger sanctuary his grandfather runs. While he does meet the tiger and her cubs – from a distance – he also encounters poachers and business people opposed to the sanctuary. Will he be able to help his grandfather save the sanctuary?
May 28, 2026
themes: wild animal conservation; cousin relationships. the story does not have the expected happy ending, but is far more realistic. the plot was accessible because the text and vocabulary were VERY simple. I thought Rohan and Mira spoke like much younger children. i was disappointed in this one.
June 17, 2026
ROAR is a lovely middle grade fiction book that is full of cool facts about tigers, birds, and other animals native to India. I now have a whole new respect for tigers and crows. I hope to add this book to my middle school library.
June 24, 2026
Things I loved about this book: learning about India and its culture, wildlife sanctuaries, the family relationships with grandparents and cousins, and the adventure the kids experience. I feel it reads a bit young for my 6th graders, but it should be a great read for 3rd-5th.
May 19, 2026
4 1/2 stars
June 23, 2026
A must read for animal lovers! To quote the author “each animal matters”
Did Not Finish
July 17, 2026DNF'd. The main character is written like a 40-yo man. "I can't wait for the day when I can have a real job and a salary" said no 11-yo ever.
June 3, 2026
Before I say a word about the book itself, I have to stop and take a moment for what may be one of the most beautiful book covers I’ve ever seen. Simply stunning and absolute design perfection.
I love to sneak in a middle grade book every now and then, and this one was a joy to read. Set in India in a wildlife sanctuary, it was truly a book honoring wildlife and our planet and how important it is to conserve them both. I enjoyed the lessons it taught and appreciate the approachable language and storytelling—wonderful reminders and inspiring words for all of us!
Although there are lots of animals in this book, tigers are the focus. What’s the most exotic animal you’ve seen or dream of seeing?
I love to sneak in a middle grade book every now and then, and this one was a joy to read. Set in India in a wildlife sanctuary, it was truly a book honoring wildlife and our planet and how important it is to conserve them both. I enjoyed the lessons it taught and appreciate the approachable language and storytelling—wonderful reminders and inspiring words for all of us!
Although there are lots of animals in this book, tigers are the focus. What’s the most exotic animal you’ve seen or dream of seeing?
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Rohan is excited to be able to spend his winter break with his grandmother and grandfather in India. Not only does he get to escape his twin siblings in Houston, but he gets to visit the Vanraj sanctuary where his grandfather is the director, and is known as Tiger Man. There is one tiger, Arya, who has just had cubs. Rohan's cousin Mira visits from Bengaluru, and the two are excited to hang out at the preserve, visit the village school where their grandmother volunteers, and eat the delicious food that Seema the cool makes. The grandfather is worried that a development being planned for twenty kilometers away is too close, since animals need to be able to safely travel around, and development always produces roads that can be very dangerous. Local people support the development because it will mean more jobs and economic prosperity, so there are some protests. An intern, Kiran, joins park rangers Shiva and Anita to try to keep the are safe for tigers, and security cameras are installed to keep track of the area, but there are snares found in the jungle. Not only that, but Arya becomes ill and dies, and seems to have been poisoned. Luckily, her sister, Sita, is nearby, and takes in the cubs. Rohan returns home after break, but is glad to know that his grandfather is able to remain at Vanraj, and the mining is put on hold. This ends with some very good notes about tigers in India.
I'm a big fan of children visiting grandparents in other countries, and I love that both the grandmother and grandfather were very active in their community. I learned a lot about tigers in India, and enjoyed seeing Rohan and Mira work together to keep Arya and her cubs safe. I do wish there had been a recipe for the guava fudge that was mentioned! This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed Kadarusman's 2025 Music for Tigers or Perkins's 2015 Tiger Boy.
Rohan is excited to be able to spend his winter break with his grandmother and grandfather in India. Not only does he get to escape his twin siblings in Houston, but he gets to visit the Vanraj sanctuary where his grandfather is the director, and is known as Tiger Man. There is one tiger, Arya, who has just had cubs. Rohan's cousin Mira visits from Bengaluru, and the two are excited to hang out at the preserve, visit the village school where their grandmother volunteers, and eat the delicious food that Seema the cool makes. The grandfather is worried that a development being planned for twenty kilometers away is too close, since animals need to be able to safely travel around, and development always produces roads that can be very dangerous. Local people support the development because it will mean more jobs and economic prosperity, so there are some protests. An intern, Kiran, joins park rangers Shiva and Anita to try to keep the are safe for tigers, and security cameras are installed to keep track of the area, but there are snares found in the jungle. Not only that, but Arya becomes ill and dies, and seems to have been poisoned. Luckily, her sister, Sita, is nearby, and takes in the cubs. Rohan returns home after break, but is glad to know that his grandfather is able to remain at Vanraj, and the mining is put on hold. This ends with some very good notes about tigers in India.
I'm a big fan of children visiting grandparents in other countries, and I love that both the grandmother and grandfather were very active in their community. I learned a lot about tigers in India, and enjoyed seeing Rohan and Mira work together to keep Arya and her cubs safe. I do wish there had been a recipe for the guava fudge that was mentioned! This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed Kadarusman's 2025 Music for Tigers or Perkins's 2015 Tiger Boy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I did enjoy this new book by Varsha Bajaj. I had previously read Thirst and got excited when I found out that Varsha had written another fun novel. The storyline was intriguing and I felt that kids reading it would enjoy learning about Tigers and animal sanctuaries. The story begins as Ro, who lives in Houston, gets to take a trip to India to visit his grandparents for winter break. While he is there spends time bonding with his cousin, learning about the different animals that live there, and trying new foods that he previously wanted nothing to do with. His favorite thing was to learn about the tigers at the sanctuary that his grandfather worked at. Arya, one of the tigers at the sanctuary has 2 cubs and begins to raise them , teaching them the basics of life as they begin to grow. Crow watches over Arya and her cubs and is a very special character trying to help protect them throughout the story.
The storyline was well written. I do find it important to teach children of the importance of wildlife around us. The story is written with the perspective of the main character Rohan and the tiger Arya. I do wish that the story had more of how Arya lives and takes care of her cubs.
I did find that the dialogue of Rohan and his cousin, Mira were a bit childish. It was as if they were 7 years old and not an 11 year old.
Overall, I think that children will enjoy the book. I was pleased to see the ending be a happy one- I will not give out any spoilers.
Thank you to the publishers for granting me access to an advanced readers copy through Netgalley.
The storyline was well written. I do find it important to teach children of the importance of wildlife around us. The story is written with the perspective of the main character Rohan and the tiger Arya. I do wish that the story had more of how Arya lives and takes care of her cubs.
I did find that the dialogue of Rohan and his cousin, Mira were a bit childish. It was as if they were 7 years old and not an 11 year old.
Overall, I think that children will enjoy the book. I was pleased to see the ending be a happy one- I will not give out any spoilers.
Thank you to the publishers for granting me access to an advanced readers copy through Netgalley.
May 25, 2026
So many great things to say about this book and I’m afraid I’m gonna forget something
For such a slim book, I think it comes in at 174 pages, it packs in so much. Rohan, a boy of Indian descent, who lives in Texas, goes to see his grandparents in India. His grandfather is a park Ranger at a tiger sanctuary. During his visit, Rohan (and by extension the reader) gets introduced to so many aspects of Indian life. Some people find these kind of books to “expositiony” but I actually really love learning how a tiger sanctuary runs. Royal hon goes to an Indian village school and struggle struggles between the dichotomy of being somewhere where everyone looks Indian like him, but also having been raised American, he is culturally an outsider. Rohan learns that vegetables can be delicious when prepared the correct way. And you get to learn so much not just about tigers, but about conservation efforts, the legal battles that they often face as well as viewpoints against sanctuaries.
Of course, I cried so so so so so so much.
The writing is so straightforward that I can definitely see some reluctant readers being able to zip through this. Highly recommended for every reader, but especially for those who love animals.
For such a slim book, I think it comes in at 174 pages, it packs in so much. Rohan, a boy of Indian descent, who lives in Texas, goes to see his grandparents in India. His grandfather is a park Ranger at a tiger sanctuary. During his visit, Rohan (and by extension the reader) gets introduced to so many aspects of Indian life. Some people find these kind of books to “expositiony” but I actually really love learning how a tiger sanctuary runs. Royal hon goes to an Indian village school and struggle struggles between the dichotomy of being somewhere where everyone looks Indian like him, but also having been raised American, he is culturally an outsider. Rohan learns that vegetables can be delicious when prepared the correct way. And you get to learn so much not just about tigers, but about conservation efforts, the legal battles that they often face as well as viewpoints against sanctuaries.
Of course, I cried so so so so so so much.
The writing is so straightforward that I can definitely see some reluctant readers being able to zip through this. Highly recommended for every reader, but especially for those who love animals.
Review of advance copy
Rohan, from the US, travels to India to visit his grandparents and a young cousin, Mira. His grandfather is the head of a tiger sanctuary and Rohan is thrilled to meet a tiger and her 2 cubs as they explore. This book gently introduces issues for sanctuaries and parks -- poaching, encroaching development, and more. The story may be shocking to some sensitive young readers because it involves an animal death, but I felt that the story kept the tone and content for 3rd - 5th grade readers.
There is an element of what might be magical realism in the story that presents unrealistic crow behavior. I felt that this element detracted from the story in that the author could have kept the story all realistic. She doesn't set off the magical realism as magic which might be misleading to readers.
Other than that, I loved this book! I so enjoy following Varsha's writing. She cares about the earth and also about kids so beautifully.
There is an element of what might be magical realism in the story that presents unrealistic crow behavior. I felt that this element detracted from the story in that the author could have kept the story all realistic. She doesn't set off the magical realism as magic which might be misleading to readers.
Other than that, I loved this book! I so enjoy following Varsha's writing. She cares about the earth and also about kids so beautifully.
January 10, 2026
Such a great story and storyteller too! I loved the two voices telling the story. One is Rohan, a tiger enthusiast, thrilled to be finally going to visit his grandparents in India, where his grandfather works at an animal sanctuary. The other voice is Arya, a tiger who has just given birth to two cubs, and knows she must keep them safe at all costs. Add in poachers, a mining threat to the sanctuary, and a little culture shock, and you’ve got the makings of a super tale! Love the short length of the book, making it less intimidating for some readers. Highly recommend for animal lovers Gr. 3 -6! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you felt empowered by Thirst, Varsha Bajaj’s newest novel Roar hits just as hard. This middle grade story is so much more than a boy visiting a tiger sanctuary. It is an engaging piece of realistic fiction that weighs right from wrong, an adventure following a family fighting to protect wildlife, and a mystery that keeps the reader wondering if catching a criminal is even possible once trust is broken.
Bajaj skillfully weaves themes of family and courage into an absolute must read. It is beautiful, urgent, and deeply moving. This is exactly the kind of story that stays with you long after you hit the final pages. 4.5/5
Bajaj skillfully weaves themes of family and courage into an absolute must read. It is beautiful, urgent, and deeply moving. This is exactly the kind of story that stays with you long after you hit the final pages. 4.5/5
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