For children learning to connect with others who live far away, this heartwarming story explores how two pen pals build friendship across vast differences in environment and culture.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is beginning to ask questions about the wider world and how other children live. It is a perfect story for fostering empathy and global awareness. The book follows Yasmin, a girl living in the arid deserts of western India, and Omar, a boy from the flood-prone monsoon region of Bangladesh, who become pen pals. Through their letters, they share the starkly different realities of their lives, both centered on the presence, or absence, of water. This heartwarming story explores themes of cross-cultural friendship, environmental challenges, and the power of human connection. It's an accessible and gentle introduction to complex topics for children ages 8 to 12.
The book deals with the stress and peril of natural disasters (drought and flooding), which are implicitly linked to climate change. The approach is realistic about the hardship faced by the communities but is not graphic or overly frightening. The focus remains on the resilience of the children and their families. The resolution is hopeful, centered on the power of their friendship and community action, rather than a simplistic solution to the environmental problems.
Ideal Reader
This is for an empathetic 8-11 year old who is starting to look beyond their own community. It's perfect for a child who loves stories about friendship, is curious about different cultures, and is sensitive to issues of nature and the environment. It would also resonate with a child who enjoys epistolary novels (stories told in letters).
Parent Prep
No specific prep is needed; the book is very self-contained. However, having a map of South Asia handy could enhance the experience by allowing the child to locate India and Bangladesh and visualize the distance between the characters. It can also serve as a gentle entry point for conversations about climate and weather patterns. A parent hears their child say something like, "I wonder if kids in other countries play the same games as me?" or asks a question stemming from a news report about a drought or flood, like "What happens to the people who live there?"
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will primarily connect with the friendship story and the fascinating contrasts in their daily lives, like camels versus boats. An older reader (10-12) will be more attuned to the underlying themes of environmental justice, global climate patterns, and the socio-economic implications of their situations.
What Makes It Special
While many books explore cross-cultural friendships, this one's unique power lies in its parallel structure and its focus on a single, vital element: water. By contrasting water scarcity and overabundance in two nearby regions, it offers a tangible and poignant look at the real-world effects of climate change through the eyes of children, making a global issue feel personal and immediate.
Read plot summary
Yasmin, from India's Thar Desert, and Omar, from Bangladesh's monsoon region, are assigned as pen pals. Through letters, they paint vivid pictures of their contrasting lives: one defined by a desperate search for water, the other by a constant struggle against too much of it. Their friendship blossoms as they share details about their families, schools, and cultural traditions. When their communities are simultaneously struck by extreme weather events, a severe drought for Yasmin and a catastrophic flood for Omar, their bond becomes a powerful source of mutual support and hope.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Yasmin's family celebrates the slightest bit of rain, while Omar's family has to protect their home from it. How did reading about their different experiences with water change the way you think about rain?
2
At the beginning of the book, Omar is surprised Yasmin has never been in a boat, and Yasmin is shocked Omar has never ridden a camel. What parts of their daily lives surprised you the most?
3
When the flood and drought threaten their homes, what do Yasmin and Omar do to help each other, even though they are far apart? What does this show about the power of their friendship?
4
If you were writing a letter to a pen pal who lived in a very different place, what are the most important things you would describe about your own home and community to help them understand your life?
