Summary

In Chapter 21, Minni goes to the first computer class. She feels everything is more “festive” than usual. The young American teacher introduces herself as Priya. She objects to the students calling her “ma'am,” but then realizes this sign of respect is part of the culture. Shanti suggests “Priya Didi” instead, which identifies Priya as a “big sister.” Priya takes time to get to know the 10 girls in the class. Minni has never been in a class this small before. There are 50 kids in Minni's class, meaning Miss Shah does not have time to interact with each child. The classes in the free school are even larger. There are a couple of computers at Minni's school, but she has never been allowed to touch one. She is overwhelmed with Priya's information, but excited to learn. Minni's poem that night is about learning the “new...