Across bamboo and rope bridges, by bicycle, rickshaw, and small boats called vallam, aboard army trucks, camel carts, and school buses, children in India make the trek to school in many different ways. Just as diverse as the means of reaching school are the many different places that school is held— in a bus, under a mango tree, on a mountaintop, and in the desert. This photo-rich text offers a fascinating glimpse of schooling in India. A glos sary at the end provides definitions for some key terms. 2006 USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Books List, National Council for the Social Studies and CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. nlh

Originally published in English by Penguin Books India, in 2003.

Every day, in India, millions of children go to school in city classrooms, mountain fields, desert tents and glowing temples. Crossing countless kilometres, riding bicycles, wheeling wheelchairs and waiting for buses on chaotic street corners, they come with bright woven bags heavy with books, walking in flip-flops, black-buckle shoes, barefoot, in their uniforms. They come because they believe going to school can change their lives. But each day, at the same time, millions of children do not go to school in India. What do they share? Every child has the right to go to school and be inspired. Every child has the right to participate in lessons that can change their lives. Every child has a dream of going to a school that makes learning fun and helps them to become who they want to be. And every child knows exactly what they would change about going to school, if they could-we just have to ask. Going to School in India is a celebration of what school can be, through the eyes and voices of children. With stunning images, an exciting commentary and splashes of colour, this book celebrates the spirit of learning together, playing together and being together that is the essence of the school-going experience in India, from Ladakh to Kerala and from Nagaland to Kutch.