He’s got a lead on a part in a play, a crush on a girl, and a secret delivery route for his family’s store. Can Karthik deliver on all his promises without his worlds colliding?
Sheela Chari’s “Karthik Delivers” follows 13-year-old Karthik Raghavan as he navigates the complexities of balancing school, family expectations, and a new grocery delivery job in his Massachusetts neighborhood during the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel thoughtfully explores Karthik’s struggles with time management as he juggles his academic responsibilities with the pressures of contributing to his family’s income, all while grappling with ethical dilemmas at work. Chari crafts relatable tension through Karthik’s interactions with customers, coworkers, and his traditional grandparents, who initially dismiss his job as “unworthy of their Brahmin heritage.” The story shines in its quiet moments, such as Karthik’s growing bond with a retired professor who helps him see the dignity in all work.
This novel offers rich opportunities to explore SDG 8’s focus on fair labor practices and youth economic empowerment. Karthik’s journey from fearing judgment about his job to advocating for better workplace treatment models being Balanced and a Risk-taker traits. Teachers can use his ethical choices (like negotiating safer delivery routes) to spark discussions about workers’ rights versus employer demands. Consider pairing chapters with role-playing activities where students brainstorm solutions to real-world scenarios like wage disputes or unsafe working conditions.
The pandemic backdrop invites comparisons to current gig economy challenges, making it relevant for projects analyzing local businesses’ adaptability. For interdisciplinary connections, students could interview community workers about pandemic experiences or design “fair workplace” guidelines for teen jobs (authentic action with concrete links to SDG 8’s targets on youth employment and labor protections). Chari’s nuanced storytelling avoids simplistic answers, encouraging readers to weigh risks and benefits in complex situations, a skill vital for fostering balanced decision-makers.
