Crystal Kite Winner Interview Week: Monika Schröder, SARASWATI’S WAY

Today, Crystal Kite Winner Interview Week takes its first trip abroad to talk to Monika Schröder author of SARASWATI'S WAY. Monika won the Crytal Kite Award for the Middle East/India/Asia region. To learn more about her and her work, visit her website.

Please tell my readers a little about your winning book.

SARASWATI’S WAY is set in India, where I have lived for the last eight years. Twelve-year-old Akash, the main character, has a talent for math and wants to go to a better school. But his family in rural Rajasthan doesn’t support his dream and he runs away. After a train ride he ends up in the New Delhi railway station where he joins a group of street kids scavenging for food and selling empty bottles for a living. He is tempted to try a short cut to make quick money but learns that with patience the gods are on his side.

How does it feel to receive an award voted on by your peers? What does this award mean to you?

Receiving an award is always wonderful and because for the Crystal Kite other writers have decided my book is worthy of this recognition that makes it even more meaningful. I very much appreciate their votes and this acknowledgement.

How long have you been a member of SCBWI and to what degree are you involved? How has your SCBWI membership been helpful to your career?

I have been a member since 2008. I read the newsletter and looked at the website, but since I lived in India I could never attend a conference. I am about to move to the U.S. so I hope this will change. I plan to be active in my region.

I very much appreciate the tips and insights given in the newsletter. I also have found some fellow writers through the blog and could connect with other authors in my region.

What will we see from you next?

 My next novel is coming out in September. It is called MY BROTHER’S SHADOW and set in Berlin 1918. It tells the story of 16-year old Moritz who witnesses the socialist revolution in Germany at the end of WWI and whose brother returns from the trenches bitter and maimed.