Well written book with some very interesting themes on conservation, education for boys/girls; the implication that education should take one away from what one loves, and of course the question of poverty vs. animal rights/preservation. The language was appropriate for the difficult to reach 7-9 year old crowd as well

I read this quickly to preview it before teaching it to 3rd graders (starting next week?!) I was pleased to discover that not only is this book educational about the life of a boy growing up in the Sundarbans, it also presents a suspenseful tale that will be super accessible for 9 year olds and some really important messages about character and values. I'm looking forward to seeing how they enjoy it, but I know I certainly did.

Tiger Boy is a wonderful story of family and home. Neel loves his home in the Sunderbans. He never wants to leave. He is in contention for a scholarship though that would lead to possibilities of employment in the future that could help his family. He struggles because the last thing he wants to do is leave, but his family doesn't have enough money for his sister to get an education and his father works very hard. He could change his family's situation if he leaves.

I found it to be a quick read that will be great for young chapter book readers. There is action as they search for a missing tiger and readers also learn about a unique place in our world.

Neel loves his home in West Bengal's Sunderbans. So much so that he doesn't really want to try hard for the scholarship because that would mean leaving his home to go to school. When a baby tiger escapes from a nearby reserve Neel sets out to find it before a local rich man finds the cub and sells it on the Black Market. Along the way Neel learns more about himself, his family, and his home.


So overall...it was a quiet story and while I did end up liking it, it wasn't my favorite. The illustrations make it have a younger feel but I would really have to work to "sell" it to my readers.

Neel has been selected as the one student from his island to take the test for a scholarship to a prestigious secondary school. He doesn't want it though -- he doesn't want to leave his home or his family. Instead of studying for it, he and his sister sneak out at night in search of a missing tiger cub. The Bengal tigar is endangered, and this is one of the few cubs in recent years. Neel wants to find her and return her to the reserve before she is captured by an unscrupulous businessman who wants to sell her as parts on the black market. This is a vivid and exciting look into the world of the Sunderbans of West Bengal as well as an important environmental tale. Recommended for grades 3-6.

A great adventure story for animal lovers and for anyone who wants a glimpse at life in an island village in India. It's detailed while still being accessible to kids who have no knowledge of life in India. Themes of environmental protection and doing the right thing are universal. And I think pretty much every kid would love the chance to rescue a tiger cub. ;) I'll be adding this to my rotation for 4th-6th grade booktalks.

I liked it; a good mix of a different culture and new information and an interesting plot. I think a lot of kids would enjoy it. Plus, there are some nicely drawn pictures

This was fairly suspenseful plot-wise, but very interesting re: setting and "lifestyle". Neel is a student on the Sunderban islands, and he has a chance to win a scholarship to a top school in Kolcatta, but he doesn't really want to go away from home. His anxiety about prepping for the test, especially in math, is weighing on him; everyone thinks he's got to take advantage of this great opportunity. Meanwhile, a tiger cub has escaped from the local tiger refuge; Neel and his sister want to find the cub and return her to the rangers before the local, recently-arrived bigwig can catch it and sell it for medicinal parts (or before the cub's desperate mother escapes the preserve to find her.) When their ecologically responsible dad (protects trees, etc) signs onto the the rich man's hunt (to earn money for a tutor for Neel) the kids are in a real quandary.

There are lots of conflicting issues here--people need to live, need wood, fish and honey from the preserve, but tigers make such usage dangerous, and the Sundari trees stabilize the soil--so preserving vs. exploiting a resource. Neel's sister is smart but quit school to help their mother -- she WANTS to learn; Neel wants to stay home, but can he protect the islands better by going away and studying? The value of education vs a skilled craftsman--over the course of the story, the kids' respect for their father, a talented carpenter, wood carver and steward of the environment, has to balance the value that everyone puts on education. I think the contrast of Neel's love of his homeland, and their obvious desire for the best for their family, with the family's relatively simple circumstances, will be eyeopening for many kids in our area.

In addition, the hunt for the tiger cub, while grown men are also searching to kill her, is very suspenseful, and this short book (132 pp), occasional, clear B&W illustrations adding detail, should hold readers' attention easily.

A list of environmental organizations and Bengali glossary are included.