"Money is tight, and Naima wants to do something to help her family. If only she were a boy like her friend Saleem, she’d be able to drive her father’s rickshaw and add to the family’s income. Naima does have a special talent; she can paint beautiful alpacas—traditional patterns used by women to decorate Bangladeshi homes during special occasions—but how can this help her make money? When Naima decides to disguise herself as a boy and drive the rickshaw, she accidentally crashes it, and the family’s debt soars even higher. Now Naima is more determined then ever to help her family—and prove that being a girl can be a good thing. Straightforward black-and-white pastel illustrations incorporate alpaca patterns and depict various elements of Naima’s daily life, and a helpful Bangla glossary and informative notes are included. A child-eye’s view of Bangladesh that makes a strong and accessible statement about heritage, tradition and the changing role of women, Naima’s story will be relished by students and teachers alike. (Fiction. 7-10)" www.kirkusreviews.com

Loved the Bangladeshi setting, loved the message of change in girl's contributions and abilities, love that Naima excels at art, and her family supports that, and also that in the end she can only get the rickshaw painting job because she is a girl. ( )

This was a lovely story. I enjoyed the glimpse into the lives of the poor of Bangladesh. The story also had a universal element that all children will be able to relate to. ( )

An enlightening and heart warming story of love, spirit and change. ( )

Summary:
Naima is a young girl living in Bangladesh where males and females have diffrent roles and expectations. Naima trys to help he father out by driving his rickshaw but only winds up crashing it. In order to pay for the repairs she dresses up as a boy and heads into the next town to make a deal with the repair man. She wants to trade labor for repair. Turns out the repair man is female and agrees to Naimas request.
Personal reaction:
This book can show children that they shouldn't let things stop them from meeting their goals.
Classroom extension:
1. Have children draw their own alpana patterns.
2. Have children decorate their own rickshaw.