Minni

Minni, age 12, lives in Mumbai, India. She lives with her parents and older brother Sanjay in a very small house in an impoverished neighborhood. As the novel opens, Minni feels her life is difficult because she and Sanjay have to help carry water from a public tap each morning before she goes to school and Sanjay goes to work. When Sanjay leaves the city and Ma becomes sick, Minni is left with an enormous amount of work in addition to school and studying. She often falters under the need to get to school on time, study, and perform Ma's work at the home of a wealthy family. Despite her struggles, Minni demonstrates her tenacity and intelligence as she manages to hold her life together.

Minni is a determined girl who wants her world to change. She is aware there is a community effort to clean up the streets...