Mitali Perkins Rickshaw Girl; illus. by Jamie Hogan 89 pp. Charlesbridge 2/07 ISBN 978-1-58089-308-4 $13.95 (Younger, Intermediate)

Ten-year-old Naima may win prizes for designing and painting alpanas, the traditional decorative patterns that women use to adorn homes in their small Bangladeshi village, but, as her mother says, "Alpanas can't put rice on the table." Naima's parents can't afford school fees for both their daughters; now that it's her little sister's turn for schooling, disguising herself as a boy seems the only way for Naima to contribute much-needed earnings to her household. Naima's covert attempt to drive her father's rickshaw during his lunch break is met with disastrous results. Ultimately, though, Naima's recklessness leads to a solution that enables her to earn money with her talents--no disguise necessary. Perkins depicts a rural Bangladesh on the verge of change, as evolving gender roles travel from big cities to small villages. In addition to capturing contemporary Bangladeshi culture, Perkins even connects the vibrant plot to the economic model of microfinance--probably a first for an early chapter book! Black-and-white pastel drawings depict authentic alpana designs and also provide glimpses into Naima's dynamic world, underscoring the novel's accessible message about the intersections of tradition and transformation. A glossary and an author's note are appended. NORAH PIEHL