The Mildred L. Batchelder Award - International Literature

The Mildred L. Batchelder Award is given to an American publisher.  The book recognized is originally published in a foregin language in a foreign country.  The book is later translated into English and published in the United States.  The 2009 winner of the Batchelder Award was Tiger Moon written by Antonia Michaelis.  Michaelis  is from Germany but has lived and taught in India, thus her knowledge of tigers and Indian fairy tales.  Tiger Moon was orignally published in German and then translated into English.

Yes, I know I am 43 years old but I still love fairy tales(even though I've previously mentioned that they are sexist)  and that's exactly what this story is - a fairy tale.  Raka is being held prisoner (the damsel in distress) as the time for her arranged marriage approaches.  To help pass the time, Raka begins to weave a story about a thief and his tiger (kind of sounds like Aladdin, doesn't it).  As the story continues the reality of Raka's situation and the tale she is spinning become difficult to distinguish.  This book is more appropriate for upper middle school or even high school readers as there is the mention that Raka has been sentenced to death as it is discovered that she is not a virgin.