Reviews

Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman

ki4eva's review

sad medium-paced

3.0

msvenner's review against another edition

4.0

This is a wonderful middle grade read from author Parma Venkatramen. It is not as rich and compelling as The Bridge Home but that book was utterly unique and beautiful and would be very difficult to match. I loved the characters in this book and the voice they gave to underprivileged kids in India, and I loved the inclusion of a Roma character. It was hard to consider as I read this how so many kids’ stories would not have the good fortune Katie found.

bylogan6862_'s review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

<spoilers>
Born Behind Bars
By Parma Venkatraman

Young Adult fiction (based on a true story)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kabir sings a song and then explains what it means according to his mom: “People of all religions are equal and that caste is a cruel human invention.”

This story takes place in India, during a time of civil differences between Muslim and Hindu people. Nine year old Kabir (who is both Muslim and Hindu) is released after spending his life in jail with his mom who had been falsely accused of stealing a diamond necklace while working as a maid. Kabir has never met his dad. His mom and the cell mates are the only family he knows. He is released in the hands of a person pretending to be an uncle but is really involved in child trafficking. Kabir runs away meeting up with Rani, a young street girl and her parrot. Together they live day to day on the streets trying to plan a way for Kabir to find his father and free his mother. Kabir is sweet and innocent wanting to “do right” pleasing his mom and staying out of jail. Rani has a toughness from living off the streets whom Kabir relies on. But even though he is now free, “ freedom” can still feel like being in jail. When Kabar was in jail with his mother, he would look up into the rectangular slit opening to see the blue sky. Now that he is free in the openness of the sky, it still feels like jail. For it is hard living in fear, finding food, water, shelter, safety, cleaning facilities and money to be able to survive. On one such occasion, it was very very hot outside. They both go to the public washing facility to find that there is no water. Rani knows of another place and when they get there they need to stand in line just like in jail for their turn to have access.

It’s sad to see 2 homeless children trying to survive and prove themselves. Not only do they have homelessness as a disadvantage, they also are treated as dirty and smelly low caste children with no love or respect. But there are some people who do care. A man sees injustice and speaks up for them so they can buy a bus ticket. A kind woman on the bus who Kabir names “Silver” because of her silver hair, watches over them on the bus ride. She talks to Kabir saying; “When I was young, we always had rain … fields were greener than your parrots wings but the weather has been changing every year. It gets hotter the monsoon fails, the rivers run dry, water gets scarce and there isn’t enough food to go around and when your stomach is empty, it’s easy to fill your soul with rage, and start fighting for no good Reason with other innocent people.” (Climate change is being mentioned. Another topic of discussion). 

When they arrive to their destination, Kabir is the one who is more in control because he knows the language so Rani is now dependent upon him. 

Kabir’s grandparents are located and Rani is happily placed in a school. Grandparents are happy their Kabir’s mom choose a name that is both Hindu and Muslim. Kabir learns that his father died while trying to unite both Hindu and Muslim people. Sadly, Hindu and Muslims still fight. Kabir learns that Muslims pray five times a day. His grandparents take over parental care lovingly and for once, Kabir feels free but a big piece of his heart is locked up in jail with his mother. “Fear is a lock courage is a key.” This quote helps Kabir to press on finding a lawyer and he does!  Kabir in the process, makes new friends as well as keeping his friend Rani. And his mother is finally free.  

There are plenty of topics to talk about for open discussion. Injustice. Caste. Homelessness. Surviving. Family. Friends. Climate change. Religious beliefs. Justice system. Child trafficking. 

Another book by the author: The Bridge Home 

rosegoldteacher's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

station12reads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

jesstele's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

katieparkes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bruhnette's review

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Kabir was born in prison and has grown up there, living in a cell with his mother who was falsely accused of a crime. When a new warden takes over, Kabir is sent to live with a man who is only pretending to be his relative. He has nefarious plans for Kabir but fortunately, Kabir is a smart kid and is able to escape. With nowhere to go, he is lucky enough to befriend a homeless girl named Rani and she takes him under her wing. While parts of this book are sad, it is ultimately a swing-up book with themes of family and found family that will warm readers' hearts.

Thanks to Edelweiss for a review copy of this book. 

anely73's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

kathriner's review against another edition

4.0

Another great book from this author. I've also read The Bridge Home, which I think I prefer to this one, but this is also a good read.

It was fun to see one of the kids from The Bridge Home appear as an adult here! While both about street kids in India, they are stand alone novels.