Sarindi and the Lucky Buddha by Janine Fraser
HarperCollins, 2009. ISBN: 9780732287757.
(Ages 8-10) Highly
recommended. Living in Indonesia,
Sarindi believes he has all the luck he could possibly need, especially
when he
wins Jaya's lucky marble. With his loving, happy family, an income
thorough his
father's hard work driving the becak which his mother has 'made good as
new'
and the lucky bird, Sarindi wants for nothing until his luck seems to
change
and his mother becomes ill. Thus begins his search for a new kind of
luck to
restore her to good health. As Sarindi goes to make his prayers in the
Hindu,
Christian, Muslim and Buddhist places of worship, he continues to show
courage
and love and have faith that his mother's health will be restored.
Janine Fraser has
created a lyrical and moving tale, perfectly supported by Elise Hurst's
delightful illustrations. Sarindi and his parents are a genuine, down
to earth family
one would love to meet and spend time getting to know. This novel would
be a
great resource in a classroom unit on Indonesian culture, as an
introduction to
comparative religions and an example of resilience and family
relationships. A
highly recommended read!
Jo Schenkel