Dear Mrs Naidu

by Mathangi Subramanian

"Twelve-year-old Sarojini’s best friend, Amir, might not be her best friend any more. Ever since Amir moved out of the slum and started going to a posh private school, it seems like he and Sarojini have nothing in common.

Then Sarojini finds out about the Right to Education, a law that might help her get a free seat at Amir’s school – or, better yet, convince him to come back to a new and improved version of the government school they went to together.

As she struggles to keep her best friend, Sarojini gets help from some unexpected characters, including Deepti, a feisty classmate who lives at a construction site; Vimala Madam, a human rights lawyer who might also be an evil genius; and Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, a long-dead freedom fighter who becomes Sarojini’s secret pen pal. Told through letters to Mrs. Naidu, this is the story of how Sarojini learns to fight – for her friendship, her family, and her future."

Genres: India, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Feminism, Young Adult

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Mathangi Subramanian, Ed.D., is a writer, educator, and activist. She previously served as Senior Policy Adviser to former New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, an Assistant Vice President at Sesame Workshop, and a public school teacher in Texas and New York. She has received numerous honors, including a Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowship and a Jacob Javits Fellowship.

Reviews

[Revathi Ramanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you are a teacher
Read this book if you are a student
Read this book if you are an educator
Read this book if you are a parent
Read this book if you work with the government
Read this book if you care about education and child rights
Read this book if you believe in equity
Just basically read this book if you can read English.
It's. Just. That. Good!
What a wonderful style of writing, what beautiful characters, what a positive story and what a stellar protagonist
I cannot thank Hamsini enough for recommending this book. This book has the potential to change lives and to give children hope that you don't have to grow up to change the world. You can change the world RIGHT now as students if only you have teachers who empower you, parents who support you. friends who rally behind you and a community that believes in you.

This book just made my year
Why are you still here reading this review when you can order the book
JUST GO

[Hamsini · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptionally conceived and quite a well written book, this traces the life and good fight of a 12 year old girl from a low-income community in Bangalore, through her letters to a freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu. There is so much spunk and spirit in this book and it packs quite a punch! I recommend it to every 10+ Indian kid for the heart the characters display and the empathy and curiosity it can evoke. My only teeny -tiny bit of criticism is that some of the language and style might be a tiny bit out of place in an informal settlement in India. Also plot wise, while I'm glad we got an almost fairy tale ending, I wish the state had actually woken up instead of being dependent on a private donor. I know this is very idealistic but much more sustainable for all parties concerned. However, there is nearly no other way this story could've been told without adopting an easy, casual style and language so I don't hold this against the author at all. Who should read this? Well, I think this book will be universally liked because it does speak directly from a human heart and everyone will be touched if not inspired, but if you work in child rights and /or education equity , with adolescents or extensively on the rte, don't miss it for the world.

[Megha · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books that remind you of what you do and why you do it. Some books are so beautiful they leave you with a dull thumping ache in your heart, the good kind. Books that remind you of the goodness in the world. It makes the world a little bearable, even if it is for a while. This was one such book for me.

Dear Mrs. Naidu comprises letters written by a 12-year-old Sarojini to her namesake, Mrs. Sarojini Naidu. This book is a glaring reminder of the inequalities, class divide, and biases that are still prevalent in our society. But it also reminds you that how change is possible, if only we work towards it. The book is an emotional journey that young Sarojini takes you on. I felt her tears, her anger, her shame, her grit, her love, her innocence. The book leaves you with a wonderful message, that things can change if we want to. We can work and make a difference. But in the end, how much of it is expected from us? Just because we can, does that mean we should?

Having worked in the development sector, particularly with children for about two years now, sometimes I forget why I got into it in the first place. This book helped me revive some of my initial feelings. It made me feel nostalgic about the still-studying-in-college me, the one who wished to make a difference. I looked back to the older (read: younger) me when I was full of hope and belief. When I believed in the inherent goodness of people. I would like to think that I am still that person, but now more than ever, I wish it were really true.

[Nivethitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mrs. Naidu is a diary entry by a 12 year old to Sarojini Naidu about her school life. What starts out as an assignment blossoms in to relationship where Sarojini makes inspired decisions and choices to improve her government school. The book reads easy and in many places makes you reflect about privilege , choices and how a good education, the most important thing in a kid’s life is still an elusive thing . I did not want this book to end . I am hoping for more sequels to learn about Sarojini’s growth as a person .

[Krutika · Rating 5 out of 5]

// 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.

[Sravanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly loved the book. It is meant to be a book for children but a 30 year old me enjoyed it thoroughly. My major disappointment though is a complete erasure of caste. The kids went to Ambedkar government school. I mean it is right there to grab and address and educate about. Despite this, it was a lovely read full of spunk and good humor.

[raj dasani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very warm book. It deals with a serious subject of education system and the mess around it in India. However, it’s written from a child’s perspective and in the form of letters; making it a very interesting and warm read.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming, positive story told in the voice of a 12 yo girl who is the namesake of the late freedom fighter, Mrs Sarojini Naidu.
Starting off as a school assignment given by her teacher who wants the students to 'grow their brains and hearts and not just memorize things like a parrot', the entire story is told in the form of letters from Sarojini to Mrs. Naidu.
A student of a government school in Bangalore, Sarojini lives in a shanty and is aware of what is good and bad about her life. She has her Amma and her best friend Amir and she is content. Until Amir shifts to a better house and a private school and Sarojini cannot spend time with him like she used to before. Which is when she joins the Child rights club at her school which has her and Deepti, her new best friend learning about the RTE law and all that it mandates and decides that she needs to ensure that her school is provided with everything mentioned by the law.
Spunky and spirited Sarojini is a delight to read about. Scared of her mother's reaction, shocked at her new best friend's audacity in talking to a reporter, hopeful of getting her best friend back, she remains focused and determined to get some changes in.
The story exposes the ways in which laws made for the upliftment of the lower income groups are seldom implemented and in fact, remain unknown for the most part. It reveals the pathetic state of government schools that stifle the enthusiasm of even those kids who want to study. It teaches not to judge those who were not privileged to receive the same education and privileges as many of us did but still support and encourage two children to step up and ask for their rights.
Most importantly, it isn't dull or boring but spiked with humour because of the way Sarojini describes her various interactions in her letters. And we learn more about 'Mrs Naidu' too from Sarojini who draws parallels from the life of her famous namesake and takes inspiration from her to 'forget about the earth and move the skies'.
A very enjoyable read that tackles a serious issue through the eyes of a child.

[Sanhita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up the book, because I lived the cover. And as I started reading, before long I was in love with little Sarojini and her letters.
It's a beautiful story. A fiction but representative of the quintessential deviation from Right to Education Act by big school, lack of care and facilities in municipal/govt schools, in every State in India.
This little girl is given an assignment to write a letter to a historical person she admires about her life's goals. She chooses Sarojini Naidu. The assignment ends but little Sarojini continues to write letters to Dear Mrs Naidu, telling her all about the difficulties, problems, disappointments, happiness and sorrow she faces in her life. She thinks and draws courage from her historical mentor and does things which are nothing short of miracles in her school and people around her.
Totally livable book.

[Mashaekh Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why would anyone pretend to be poor when everyone knows it's better to be rich?

Valid question, if you think about it.

The synopsis, more or less, summarizes the whole book. There's not much of a plot twist (or is there?). The writing style and the progression of chapters (from one letter to another) make the book a page-turner. Written in an epistolary format, the book takes us through an underprivileged female child's journey towards a "more just" society. The protagonist portrays someone who understands structural inequalities and unequal access to child rights yet is full of childlike innocence and playfulness.

I picked up the book on a whim. Though, I remember being curious after hearing about it from a book recommendation video. I was looking for a book portraying a misfit child. The keyword is "misfit." I don't exactly remember what made me curious to find stories featuring such characters. However, it does sound a lot like me. The point is that I'm not surprised I TBR-ed the book.

Oh also, on Goodreads, you can see "feminist" as one of the tags. I won't be able to stop thinking about it until I bump into another book showing a female child character standing up for their rights.

[Archana Purohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I enjoyed reading after a long time.. very heartwarming and positive.. though written for children, I really liked reading something different and fresh ..

[Vani · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an absolutely great book, the teacher in me is going to be singing praises about this for a long time. I would recommend this book to anybody who works in education, works with children, works with ensuring educational equity - or simply cares about these and wishes to know more. :)

[sandhya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bold new voice. A strong girl character - make that many strong female characters. A book everyone should be reading, especially the powers that be.

[Hema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Mrs.Naidu is a letter that a child writes to the late Mrs Sarojini Naidu, the freedom fighter. If you are wondering why, the child draws more and more inspirations and strength from her life, the life we all know so little about. We would think we had learnt about our national leaders sometime in our history class. But we are wrong. It was for marks and nothing else. Learn, vomit and forget. I had never had such insight into Sarojini Naidu's life like I had from this novel. Also the author has made effort to bring the story and the life of Mrs. Naidu parallel so that our protagonist draws her will and inspiration from her.

The whole book is based on the Right to Compulsory Education act of 2009. This book has brought a whole new light on how this act has been drafted to help the community and how the schools are made to participate and how they escape using loop holes. Though what I have said can be rather boring, the book makes it interesting. The author has made a very good effort to educate and hook the readers disguising the educating part very well. Though it is a children's read, it can very well be enjoyed by the adults too.

The author has also made an effort to elaborate the meanings and usage of idioms and words in an attempt to educate the children. It is in fact a worthy mention as this is a children's novel. The author deals with issues that we normally shun ourselves or downright neglect to look at. The book deals with the life of people below poverty line and that makes us think if we can take a step forward to make their lives better. What we take for granted is something they work really hard for.

The society has stereotyped these economically weaker section as a bad influence and this book explains how those children would feel when they are treated unfairly and denied opportunities. Here we are trying to convince and coax our children to cut off the screen time and be more proactive towards creativity and learning, whereas these poor kids are more (street) smarter and are drawn towards books and learning like a bug to a flame. But the irony is that they never have the opportunities or the money. The end is predictable but thats what happens if it must inspire the young hearts. I would not categorise it as just a children's novel, it is a light but informative read for the adults as well.

[keshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A story about 12 year old Sarojini, who lives in the slums of Bangalore, India, fighting for her right to a fair and just education. The book is written in the format of letters that Sarojini writes to her namesake, Sarojini Naidu - a freedom fighter and poet.

Even though the book tackles sensitive (and very important and pressing) topics plaguing modern Indian society - like poverty, classism, casteism, taboos surrounding intercaste marriage and islamophobia - it does so through the eyes of a twelve year old child... and that makes it instantly endearing and allows us, the readers, an insight into how perceptive children really are towards societal issues.

At it's core, it's also a story about friendship. And about community. A story about how when corrupt institutions and the government fail us, it's always the community that steps in to help instead. But the author doesn't glorify this substitution. There's a line in the book where Sarojini calls this out:

“And because it’s not fair,” I said, interrupting my Amma for maybe the first time in my life. “Why should kids pick up garbage and parents lose wages when the government is supposed to do all this? Why is everyone always trying to take things away from the people who don’t have very much to begin with?”

It is overall a heartwarming book about how there isn't an age limit to standing up for justice. I also loved that at the end of the book, the author included names and contact info for various child rights organizations in India. This is the perfect book to gift to a kid 9 years and above. Brb going to give this to a cousin to get them into reading and into social justice.

[Chitra Ahanthem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming book of sisterhood and standing for a cause. 12 year old Sarojini writes to her namesake – Sarojini Naidu, freedom fighter and a pioneer among women public leaders as part of her school assignment. Through these letters, readers see her world and her concerns: her best friend is leaving their Government school for a private school.The assignment ends but Sarojini continues with her letters with her questions and observations on the latter’s life and it becomes clear that she is drawing inspiration and courage from the freedom fighter’s life and the obstacles she faced and overcame.

When she hears about the Right to Education, she thinks that she can get in to Amir’s school. But first, she must battle her own judgment about Vimala Madam, the lawyer at whose home her mother works. How Sarojini fights the many obstacles in her path for a better school but how she first has to overcome her own fears and how she reaches out to people to join forces with her forms the core of this book.

The beauty of the book is how the ideas and courage of the two Sarojinis’ intersect together across time. The structure of the writing is such that not only does one get to look at the life and achievements of Sarojini Naidu through the wondering mind of a 12 year old but also look at the RTE with a humane analysis of what it is about and how it is still leaves out children from getting access to quality education. I would recommend this book totally and more so for young people and parents.

[Pratheeksha (nirvana_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Do not think of yourselves as small girls. You are the powerful Durgas in disguise. Forget about the earth. You shall move the skies."
~Sarojini Naidu

Dear Mrs. Naidu is all about power- power of words; power of women; power of press; power of education; power of student leaders, especially girls.

The protagonist is eleven year old Sarojini, who is highly inspired by her namesake Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, who was a poet, freedom fighter and feminist. Told through letters to Mrs. Naidu, this is the story of how Sarojini learns to fight for friendship, her future and her right to education. The story takes a dig at Indian private schools which fail to implement the Right to Education Act and at politicians who do not bother about people.

The narration is funny, cute and has 'the element of surprise' like Sarojini's favourite detective stories. I couldn't help but smile constantly at how Sarojini kept on striking out the words 'dead', 'passed away' and 'no longer alive' to replace them with 'historical', which would be much less offensive to Mrs. Naidu, to whom the letters are addressed.
With its happy ending, the story gives the hope of happy beginnings and with Sarojini, I too learnt to replace the saying 'to each her own destiny' with 'to each her own infinity.' I would like to recommend this heartwarming story to everyone.

[Dhanya MG · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dear Mrs. Naidu" by Mathangi Subramanian is a charming epistolary novel brimming with love.The book touches upon the "The right to education act" & how this very important law is being misused and its impact is not passed on to the backward community.
The book tells us the need for such a law which enables educational facilities to be passed to all strata of the society. It also gives us a picture of the failure of government machinery in not able to enforce laws like these which can bring out far fetching results.
The book also gives us a picture of what all issues people from lower background has to suffer. How much they have to sacrifice so that their kids can even claim a small bit of happiness.
Her letters seemed truly written by a kid and her concerns were real and true. The inquisitive nature of kids coupled with the real issues makes this book stand out.

[Sameer Gudhate · Rating 3 out of 5]

his book must be read by Students, Teachers and Politicians. It is a story about a little girl, namely Sarojini who has found a penfriend in Sarojini Naidu and with whom she has shared her struggles for her Rights and her Victory. Some parts made me teary eyed and others made me smile. The style is good. I, myself am a person who has a hobby of writing letters so I loved this way of storytelling. Although, in some parts, it seems that the writer was so caught up in telling what all is wrong with the 'system' that it becomes a little difficult to digest that children of such a tender age would speak in such a manner. What I mean to say is that if we read the novel 'Room' by Emma Donoghue, the innocence of the child is maintained through the language but here the writer wanted to convey a strong message and made it look a tad bit unrealistic in some places. Overall it is a good read.

[Paavani Sethia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book intriguing since it not only was based on Right to education , it was based on literally every problem people from a lower background face. It wasn't surprising that Sarojini was a lively and bold child because mostly people from lower backgrounds have their will power to fight for their right to education , are independent and the don't have everything served on their plate as we rich people do. This book did not even have a villain which was an amazing thing because in reality nobody is completely kind or completely cruel .
At first did not have any words for this book but, I just simply had to share my opinion because I genuinely want EVERYBODY to read this book because this the best book which can make people realize how important freedom is,how important emotions are and how important will power is!!!

[Omar Ghufran · Rating 5 out of 5]

We experience the hurdles of a 12 year old girl through her narration. Beautifully encapsulating the minor and seemingly major worries of a little girl, this book tears you up in some places.

Mathangi has brought in her years of experience with children in this book. Her characters, especially the children, are very real. They are feisty, witty, and extremely clever. They sometimes hurt each other unwittingly, but then are also resilient kids. The adults are viewed from a child’s lens, making some of them appear stubborn, and others as an evil genius.

A day's read, this book made my weekend.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming epistolary novel - a perfect readalike for those who enjoyed Aisha Saeed's "Amal Unbound" and Veera Hiranandani's "The Night Diary." The protagonist's voice is fresh, original, funny, and pitch perfect as she comes to terms with social realities. It's difficult to explain structural inequality to young readers, but this novel shows Sarojini growing in understanding and awareness in a natural way. The well-rounded, distinctive, and sympathetic characters have agency and are neither objects of pity nor unrealistically exceptional - just very human. A breath of fresh air.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I would recommend to anyone who is even remotely interested in learning about access to education and the challenges in closing the gap between the intent and the implementation of RTE. Each of the people the 12 year old protagonist, Sarojini, encounters has dozens of real life counterparts I know, and the situations she finds herself in are believable.
The epistolary style is interesting too- the story flows as a set of letters from Sarojini to her illustrious namesake.
But, it is written for YAs, so it does give the impression of being slightly dumbed down in parts.
Overall, READ.

[Radhika Saxena · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book! A must read for everyone who'd like to learn more about the Right To Education Act or understand how education at government schools works. Love the format of the book, though I feel that a lot of times it feels like it's not written by a 12 year old girl but someone older and wiser. Teaches you a lot about leadership, advocacy, and Sarojini Naidu!

[Shruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

An endearing tale of a determined young girl, fighting for her right to a quality education.

[Sharanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

f you are interested in class, education, policy, activism, female solidarity and/or India, read 'Dear Mrs Naidu' by Mathangi Subramanian. Highly recommended for adults and children alike.

[Abhaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Not only did I learn about RTE, its promise and its problems, I fell in love with Sarojini and her gang!

[Varsha Seshan · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.varshaseshan.com/dear-mrs...

[Skashinath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book! And specially recommend it to young adults. It's a quick and an exciting read!

[Ashwini Raman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Loved this book!!! Read it to understand what a good teacher who enables Student Voice can do :)