Book review: Tiger Boy

Tiger Boy by Mitali Perkins

Publisher: Duckbill

Age Group: Middle Readers

In the first chapter itself, Mitali Perkins manages to connect and takes you back to your schools days as the protagonist Neel drops his “heavy satchel”, unbuttons the “starch white shirt” tears off “those stiff school shorts” and jumps into the refreshing water. Anyone growing up in a hot and humid climate will want to swim along with Neel. The best thing about the story is that you will be with Neel all throughout, feeling his labours with Math, his love of reading, his attachment with his home, family and friends and his reluctance to leave the Sundarbans for secondary school in Kolkata.

All this Perkins builds through a simple story of a tiger cub that escapes from the reserve and Neel’s determination that the cub not fall in the hands of poachers. The story does not have many twists and turns, or a lot of action. For readers used to a fast paced thriller this may take a while to grow. The story builds around the beautiful Sundarbans, the flaming red of the Sundari trees, the threat of cyclones, the difficult balance between man, animal and nature, and the struggle of each to survive.

As news of the tiger cub’s escape reaches the village, the evil Gupta offers a reward for whoever catches the cub and brings it to him. Neel convinces his sister Rupa, who had to drop out of school to help their sick mother, to find the cub first and return it to the reserve. Together the two children set out to hunt for the cub. Their journey is an opportunity for the readers to discover the beauty of the Sundarbans at one level. As he races against time, Neel also realizes that his love of the forest, the tigers and his family means that he must do more to protect them.

Perkins also cleverly delves into several issues that young readers will immediately identify with – parental and societal expectation, the power of reading and gender equality. These are subtly woven into the story, without explicitly talking about them. While Rupa is portrayed doing all the household chores uncomplainingly, her brother is expected to study. This is the reality in many rural and urban poor families in India. But Rupa is bright and the story gives her due credit. Neel also does not accept the status quo. During one instance when Neel tell his sister, “I’ll make sure you get to study, too,” Rupa says “I’ll catch up with you before you know it.” To this Neel replies, “Maybe you’ll pass me.”

Young readers will perhaps appreciate many of the stories strengths. 

The unfamiliar context could nudge them to think beyond their limited environment and exposure. The siblings love for their home, flora and fauna and courage in protecting their right to live alongside humans makes the story memorable.