A freak accident involving a hand grenade turned 13-year-old Malvika Iyer’s life upside down, leaving her battling for her life. She lost both her hands in the blast and suffered severe multiple fractures and nerve paralysis in her legs. Mai, a graphic novel chronicles not only the effect of the horrific accident on her and her family but also the arduous and inspiring journey of her battle to overcome it.

Excerpted with permission from Mai: A Graphic Novel, Sriram Jagannathan.