As a child, I was quite the chatterbox. I remember my cousin offering me five rupees if I could stay quiet for five minutes. I spent all of those five minutes asking if five minutes were over. Needless to say, I never earned those five rupees.
And that’s why a character like Rini is particularly endearing. She isn’t just a chatterbox; she is a chatter-machine. But like so many other children who enjoy the sound of their own voice, she doesn’t quite remember to listen, to pay attention to what those around her might want.
On Air with RJ Rini is a charming story about a girl who realises that becoming a radio jockey is the perfect career choice for her. When her best friend Uma isn’t nearly as excited about the prospect, Rini is confused. Why is Uma unhappy? It takes Gaga—aka Gayatri Aunty—to help her solve the mystery of the sulking best friend.
I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of childhood friendship, inter-generational friendship and all the shades of a sibling relationship in the story. The illustrations by Parul Sharma are particularly delightful. The cover draws you in, and each black-and-white illustration is full of character and detail.
On Air with RJ Rini is the kind of early middle-grade book I’m sure will strike a chord with many—adults and children alike!
| Title | On Air with RJ Rini |
| Author | Sonia Mehta |
| Tags | Early Middle-Grade, Realistic Fiction |
| Ages | 8+ |
| Rating (out of 5) | 4 |
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