Naima is a talented painter of traditional alpana patterns, which Bangladeshi women and girls paint on their houses for special celebrations. But Naima is not satisfied just painting alpana. She wants to help earn money for her family, like her best friend, Saleem, does for his family. When Naima's rash effort to help puts her family deeper in debt, she draws on her resourceful nature and her talents to bravely save the day. Includes a glossary of Bangla words and an author's note about a changing Bangladesh and microfinance.

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised by the Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award. It was recognised in the Intermediate category by the Charlotte Award. It also was recognised by the South Carolina Childrens Junior and Young Adult Book Award. It was recognised by the Sequoyah Book Award. Also it was recognised by the Massachusetts Book Award. It was recognised in the Older Children category by the Jane Addams Children's Book Award. It was recognised by the Lupine Award. It was recognised in the Multicultural Fiction category by the Moonbeam Children's Book Award.

There are 96 pages in this book. This book was published 2007 by Charlesbridge Publishing, U. S. .

Mitali Perkins was born in Kolkata. Her family soon left India, living in Ghana, Cameroon, England and Mexico before emigrating to the United States. They eventually settled in California. Mitali studied political science at Stanford University and public policy at the University of California, Berkeley. She is married to the Reverend Robert K. Perkins II and has twin sons. She lives in Newton, Massachusetts.