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Tiger Boy

Tiger Boy

Author:

Mitali Perkins

Illustrator:

N/A

Published by:

Charlesbridge

First Published:

30 Apr 2015

Ideal for readers aged

6-9y

My Review

I love this eco-conservation story set in the Sunderbans of West Bengal. It combines a lovely conservation themed adventure with themes of family (Neel and his sister grow closer as they resolve to secretly hunt for an endangered tiger cub together) and integrity (Neel’s nature-loving father has difficult choices to make as he works for a corrupt property tycoon). Perkins describes the community, culture, and landscape of the green and watery Sunderbans beautifully. It’s an easier read for confident 8-10 year olds – and, incidentally, won the South Asia Book Award! Mitali Perkins has lived in multiple countries and has written lots of great immersive children’s fiction inspired by her travels and background – ‘Rickshaw Girl’ and ‘Bamboo People’, both for slightly older readers, are two of my favourites.

Heads Up!

Publisher Review

One of the new tiger cubs has escaped from the reserve! When a tiger cub escapes from a nature reserve near Neel's island village, the rangers and villagers hurry to find her before the cub's anxious mother follows suit and endangers them all. Mr. Gupta, a rich newcomer to the island, is also searching he wants to sell the cub's body parts on the black market. Neel and his sister, Rupa, resolve to find the cub first and bring her back to the reserve where she belongs. The hunt for the cub interrupts Nee' s preparations for an exam to win a prestigious scholarship at a boarding school far from home. Neel doesn't mind as he dreads the exam and would rather stay on his beloved island in the Sunderbans of West Bengal with his family and friends. But through his encounter with the cub, Neil learns that sometimes you have to take risks to preserve what you love. And sometimes you have to sacrifice the present for the chance to improve the future.
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