A believer in fairy tales and magic, he used to go to school until his family could no longer afford to pay for his lessons.

The man, who introduces himself as Abhaydatta, tells his story of a group of Healers, known as the brotherhood, who wield magic in a place called the Silver Valley, hidden deep within the Himalayas.

He also reveals that a powerful magical item, the Conch, has been stolen from the brotherhood by one of its members, Surabhanu.

Anand meets Nisha, a girl sweeping in front of a soft drinks stall, who tells him she knows where Abhaydatta will be waiting.

He manages to hold the struggling children until a mysterious candy vendor helps them escape.

As they journey, Anand begins hearing the conch talk to him and respond to his thoughts.

A mongoose also joins the two children, saving them from trouble a few times along the way and earning Nisha's appreciation.

Upon reaching the second trial, an enchanted rocky pass, Anand is forced to decide between going on alone or staying with Nisha.

A bit of ingenious thinking allows both of them to cross the pass; however, Nisha is injured badly.

The Brotherhood declares that he has passed the final test, the trial within his mind, and welcomes Anand, Nisha, and Abhaydatta into the Silver Valley.

Anand chooses to stay with the Brotherhood, so the Healers make his family forget he had ever been a part of their lives.

The Conch Bearer was chosen as a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year[3] and a Booklist Editor's Choice.

It is on many school district summer reading book lists including FBISD in Texas.