Vikas Swarup’s novel, Q&A, published by Scholastic under the title Slumdog Millionaire, tells the story of Ram Mohammad Thomas, an eighteen-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai. Accused of cheating on India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Ram narrates how his life experiences provided him with the answers to each question. Scholastic’s edition, tailored for a younger audience, offers a gateway to exploring themes of poverty, resilience, and the power of knowledge.
This accessible adaptation introduces young readers to complex social and economic realities within a compelling narrative. The novel’s popularity, further amplified by the Academy Award-winning film adaptation, has spurred discussions about social inequality and the importance of education. It provides a valuable lens through which to examine the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and underscores the transformative potential of literacy.
