Kitapçı Dede ve Ben by Uma Krishnaswami

Nine-year-old Yasmin gets a book every day from Grandpa the Bookseller, a retired teacher who sets up a street library next to their apartment building. After reading it, she returns it and gets a new one. Then one day the mayor asks for the street library to be removed, and Yasmin decides to do something about it.

But what can she do? Local elections are approaching, and Yasmin is a child who can't even vote. Yasmin remembers a book that Grandpa the Bookseller gave her to read. The book is an old folk tale about a flock of birds caught in a hunter's net. The birds realize that if they all flap their wings at the same time, they can fly the net upwards, and when they reach a safe place, they can ask a friendly mole to gnaw through the net and set them free. 

Inspired by this book, Yasmin and her friends start an election campaign to make their neighborhood's voice heard.

An energetic, fun, and cleverly written story dealing with themes such as social responsibility, friendship, and love of books…

First published in India, Grandpa the Bookseller and Me received the Scholastic Asia Book and Crossword Awards. 

“Yasmin’s campaign inspires all young readers to believe in themselves to make a difference. “It should give a valuable lesson on the fact that sometimes many small steps are needed for big moves…” Kirkus Review

“A slice of life… A story that shows how powerful children can be to bring about change in their own neighborhoods. This is also an excellent book that sheds light on choices made elsewhere.” School Libraries Journal