THE BICYCLE GIRL

In this story based on real events, an underestimated girl fueled by inner strength makes a heroic journey to save her ailing father.

Jyoti is a poor young girl from the tiny Indian village of Sirhulli, the child of hardworking parents who support her dream of continued education and a life beyond their village. After Jyoti’s pita (father) loses his job and moves far away to continue driving a rickshaw, she’s forced to quit school. “With no education there was no hope. She was stuck here. Forever.” When her pita is gravely injured, Jyoti, faced with dwindling funds and the sudden Covid-19 lockdown, uses the last of their rupees to buy a used bike and transport him home. Drawing strength from the goddess Kali, she reminds herself that the long and perilous trip—700 miles—is “a little hard, but not a lot.” Joshi’s zingy digital illustrations in bold, saturated colors incorporate fantastical elements including Hindu gods and goddesses, while Thomas and Raj’s concise text incorporates many references to Hinduism contextualized through illustrative details. Backmatter contains a glossary, photos from the real-life Jyoti’s scrapbook, and an authors’ note that elaborates on the impact of Covid upon migrant laborers in India, as well as the caste systems (Jyoti and her father are Dalit).

A stirring demonstration of what we’re truly capable of when we believe in ourselves.