How do you write a modern novel with a child detective? Famous Five and Secret Seven aren't really believable anymore because now, everyone thinks of the tape that cordons areas off, and the fact that clues simply aren't that easy to find.Smart by Kim Slater shows you how it's still possible to write a mystery story, despite all these practical considerations. And she gives you a story that is not just about a murder being solved, but also about slow learning, race, drugs, domestic violence, and love.When I finished about half the book, I did a mental recap. I thought about the idea of writing stories that address important issues, issues that need representation. I also thought about how easy it is to make a book seem agenda-driven if it deals with even one of these issues. And Smart dealt with so many! Granted, in many places, it did feel a little agenda-driven; yet, … [Read more...]
An Eagle in the Snow
Every book by Michael Morpurgo that I've read so far has been gripping from the very first chapter. When I saw An Eagle in the Snow at the library yesterday, I snatched it up, thinking of a lovely weekend with a wonderful book for company. And then I had nothing to read while I waited for a bus, so I decided to start reading it ... and I just finished reading it.Historical fiction is lovely when it brings a time and place alive to the reader. The joy of historical fiction, to my mind, is that I start reading it with next to no knowledge about the period and finish with the satisfaction of having been there and seen that. Set in the second world war, it's not possible to know next to nothing when it comes to An Eagle in the Snow; yet, the story strikes the reader as fresh and poignant.Inspired by the story of Henry Tandey, a highly decorated Private, An Eagle in the … [Read more...]
Little Bits of Sky
The cover of the edition of Little Bits of Sky that I read is absolutely gorgeous. I felt like a child when I looked at it. I stared and stared. And then I played with the dust jacket a little bit. And then, just like a child, I was afraid I would damage it or something, so I quietly put it back in place and got on with the book.In many ways, Little Bits of Sky is an old-fashioned book. I don't say this just because it's set in the 80s and 90s; the feeling the book gives you is of something that belongs to another time. It's not an action-packed book with things happening in each chapter. A lot happens during the book, yes, but the story is strongly character-driven, and I love how this means that the setting comes alive to us too.Ira (short for Miracle) and Zac (Zachery) are care kids who live at a children's home called Skilly. Ira, perpetually worried, … [Read more...]
Why Performances are Fun
Anyone who has ever performed knows about the adrenalin rush, the energy, the feeling of having achieved something. But more than all of these, I think performances are fun because they're full of stories.Some are dramatic stories that we tell and retell, like when we performed in Chidambaram, and the time when Nisha and I entered from the wrong side when we performed in Aix. Sometimes, though, they're small stories that we store somewhere inside us, and share when we finish the programme, but slowly forget.Last Friday, we performed for Dignity Foundation with my teacher. It was not dramatic, and I'm thankful for that. It did promise to be, though - more than once.The lights kept going during the previous performances, and my teacher prayed right through, the way she does when we're performing Pinnal Kolattam! Narasimha forgot to come on stage. I was Hiranyakashipu, … [Read more...]
Dreaming the Bear
Dreaming the Bear reminded me, in some ways, of White Dolphin. I loved it and I hated it. Because the story took the turn it had to take, and what 'should' happen did. Read the story to figure out what I mean.An intriguing story, Dreaming the Bear took me into minds that are distant from me. The narrative voice shifted and floated - there's no other word I can find for it. It was this floating that I enjoyed, where Darcy, who has just recovered from pneumonia feels as if she is floating out of her body, looking at things from a distance.Books about animals, when written well, wring my heart.(As a child, that is what made me think that I would like to be a vet - and then I discovered that I would have to study biology to do that. Loving animal stories would not be enough!)Dreaming the Bear is a uniquely told story, which did just that. It made my heart ache more than once. It … [Read more...]
Dashami Poojai
Each year, we have a poojai at dance class for Dashami. Now, at the Academy of Indian Dances, there are four teachers, including me. Mythili Mami is, of course, head; that goes without saying.On Dashami, a little girl crept up to the corner where we were standing."I want to speak to Ma'am," she whispered to my teacher.None of us knew how to respond to that - even the children call Mythili Mami 'big teacher'. She's the first "Ma'am", who makes the decisions. But clearly, this little girl did not want to speak to her."What happened?" Mami asked. "No, I want to speak to ma'am," repeated the girl. Much amused, Mythili Mami let her come to us."I have to call my mother!" said the little girl. "Okay ... Why?" She glanced back at Mythili Mami and turned back to us. Like most of the others, she was dressed up that day, with kajal, earrings and a pearl necklace. "I … [Read more...]
The Fastest Boy in the World
Four years ago, I read Elizabeth Laird's Oranges in No Man's Land, and was deeply moved. Then, two years ago, I read The Witching Hour, and loved it.And now, her The Fastest Boy in the World did not let me down.Eleven-year-old Solomon lives in a small village in Ethiopia. When his grandfather announces that he will take the boy to visit Addis Ababa, he is thrilled. To make things even more exciting, Solomon's heroes, who have won medals for Ethiopia in the Olympics, are landing in the capital the very same day ... Things prove to be even more exciting, and Solomon's visit to the capital of Ethiopia is the beginning of a new life for him.What I love about Laird's writing style is its simplicity. The way she builds suspense is wonderful, but more than that, I love how she makes a world come alive to us - Scotland in The Witching Hour, Lebanon … [Read more...]
Mayil Will Not Be Quiet!
I woke up in the middle of the night, frowning. I had a bit of a story in my head, and I could not remember who had written it. It was one of the Mary's girls, I thought ... A young writer, I was sure. Maybe one of the sixth standard girls?And then I realised, it was Mayil Ganeshan.That's what I admired most about Mayil Will Not Be Quiet! The voice was so authentic that the book never once felt like it was written by two adults trying to write like a child. Each entry in this diary-like book rings true. Some entries are short; some are long, just the way mine used to be when I wrote regularly at Mayil's age (about 12). One big difference between her entries and mine is that I could not (and cannot) draw, so I don't have such a pretty diary!Quirky and beautifully honest, Mayil Will Not Be Quiet! gripped me on the first page - and I really mean the first page. … [Read more...]
Queen of Ice
Didda knew that a grand destiny awaited her. She sometimes wondered whether her mother had bribed the astrologer to predict greatness and fortune so that Didda, who was not just a girl, but also lame, would not be killed at birth. But the prediction was made, and Didda was determined to fulfil her destiny.Queen of Ice took me through beautiful, turbulent tenth century Kashmir, bringing alive a time and place about which I knew nothing. I usually do enjoy historical fiction, and this was no exception. Court intrigue and the sheer power of the characters made me turn page after page until, before I knew it, the book was over.The wonderfully drawn relationships amongst the characters, the balance of murkiness and clarity in the machinations of Didda's court, and the effortless storytelling made Queen of Ice the powerful book it is.Title Queen of … [Read more...]
Fortunately-Unfortunately
Option 1 "I am going to meet a monster today." "Fortunately, it doesn't bite." "Unfortunately, that means it will just gobble you up."Option 2 "I jumped into the swimming-pool today." "Fortunately, the pool was heated." "Unfortunately, I cannot swim." "Fortunately, it was not deep."Which beginning do you find more entertaining? I was very surprised to find that many, many girls at the Writers' Club find the second story more promising. I would choose the first, any day.How does this activity work? It's a hugely entertaining one, which I learned from the book Creating Stories with Children by Andrew Wright. Someone begins the story, and then each of the other participants must contribute one sentence, alternating between beginning with 'Fortunately' and 'Unfortunately'. It helps to introduce the idea of plotting and the wonder of surprising the reader. … [Read more...]