The book has six stories about children from India. The pre-teens there are as naughty and helpful, as tough and sensitive, as absent-minded and adventurous, as bright, curious or confused as youngsters everywhere.

You’ll meet brilliant Jay who is full of mischief and out-manoeuvres his teachers at every turn, and Monica Tejas who uses a ‘magic’-3R formula to learn her way to the top grades in every exam! There’s also Deepa who teaches Jay a lesson, grandpa who teaches the 3-R technique to all Monica’s friends; and Karthik and Sushama – best buddies – who are on opposing sides in a debate that has the loser winning more than the winner does!

Saloni, whose head was perpetually in the clouds, finally comes down to earth; Veena and her father lose and find their clothes in an absurdly engaging manner; and quiet Kuteeram - a cute cottage on the hilltop - suddenly, and touchingly, becomes a beehive of fun and song.

Humaneness and camaraderie can take many different forms. Yet, the emotions they evoke are very similar across ages and worlds. This is a great idea that emerges from the stories in this book. The stories are meant for the 8+ age group, though the sentiments the stories evoke are ageless indeed.

[Note: Vol. 1 and 2 in the series 'Children's Stories for Our Times' were previously published in a single paperback volume, available on pothi.com ]