* "Twelve-year-old Minni and her older brother Sanjay might live in a poor neighborhood in India, but they have big dreams: to finish school, get good jobs, and maybe live in one of the tall buildings where water runs from the taps. . . . The story largely focuses on Minni's internal thirst--for her family to be reunited, for knowledge, for opportunity, for fair treatment. . . . Minni is a likable narrator, and readers will connect with her dreams and courage in the face of unfair treatment. The book also serves as a window into class difference. . . . A meditative first purchase for middle grade collections." --School Library Journal, starred review

* "Varsha Bajaj (Count Me In) brings awareness to the world water crisis and social inequality with Thirst, a moving, hopeful story. . . . Bajaj thoughtfully examines class and privilege, making topics like water access and income inequality accessible to middle-grade readers. Bajaj shows how a lack of clean water, decent health care and education can affect people's lives. Minni can't focus on schoolwork because she's hungry and exhausted; anger, fear and frustration frequently play out in the water line; and people adapt just to survive their environment (e.g., boiling water to fend off diseases). Water may not flow freely like it does in the high-rise Minni works in, but community and hope do. A sense of togetherness--whether it's Minni's aunties bringing her food or the school guard allowing her to enter school late--pulses through this meaningful narrative." --Shelf Awareness, starred review

"In this poignant, relatable work, Bajaj expertly depicts class and wealth differences; Minni's worries for her mother and anger at the injustices inflicted on her community are especially moving. A valiant call for justice." --Kirkus Reviews

"A 12-year-old investigates water stolen from her Mumbai neighborhood in this clear look at resource access and wealth disparity. . . . Aptly describing variations between rich and the poor and alternating Minni's first-person telling with the child's observant journal entries, Bajaj (Count Me In) writes an engaging literary mystery." --Publishers Weekly

"[There] are real and clear hardships, but Minni's thoughtful narration and occasional poetry also depict a family and community working tirelessly to support one another and instill hope in an environment that's especially hard on women and children. Inspired problem-solving and help from a charming cast of characters. . . . An author's note draws attention to the realities of the water crisis in India." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The kids are smart and savvy, and their friendship is strong, so when a series of calamities adds layers of danger, they support one another through the worst of it. This fast-paced adventure story includes a vivid portrayal of life in a place where income disparities are glaring, education is a hard-won privilege, and a lot hangs in the balance when you take a risk. The main plot involves the kids' accidental encounter with the water mafia, thieves who steal and sell fresh water illegally. This is a real and perilous fact in Mumbai and . . . is convincingly portrayed. There's a lot to learn about and to like here: the characters, the humor, the emotional roller-coaster ride, and more." --Booklist

"Bajaj's suspenseful novel peels back the curtain on class and caste inequities and how they create a cycle of poverty that spirals through generations. Minni's thirst for what's right steers the novel toward an optimistic conclusion in which one person can bring about big changes." --Horn Book