A Patch of Sun, A Patch of Shade is an endearing story, one that I read for the first time as a manuscript that was shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award 2023, when I served as chief judge. I was curious to read it again, curious to see how the story had grown and developed through its editing journey. And I was not disappointed.Lalli and Champa come from completely different backgrounds. Yet, they're drawn to each other because they are both lonely and need a friend.As Lalli spends more time with Champa, Lalli's parents are nervous. Champa is the daughter of the coffee estate owner, while Lalli is a worker's child. Would a bond between them last?A poignantly told story, the Kannada rhymes woven into A Patch of Sun, A Patch of Shade give it a unique flavour, adding texture and detail. The emotional dynamics between Lalli and Champa ring true on every page. I … [Read more...]
Trouble in the Tea Gardens
When I started reading Trouble in the Tea Gardens by Mitali Perkins, I was struck by how similar several elements were to Tiger Boy. An intelligent small-town child capable of winning a scholarship to get a better education, a teacher with the child’s best interests at heart, a power-hungry, avaricious person in authority … I wondered if I was going to enjoy another story that followed the same lines. But soon enough, I realised that the similarities end there. The mystery in Trouble in the Tea Gardens is gripping, and I love how everything ties up as the story goes on. A pacy read, I was soon thoroughly invested in the characters, eager to know how the story would play out.Set in Darjeeling, Trouble in the Tea Gardens is a slim book weaves together a range of serious themes with subtlety and nuance. The protagonist Sona is the daughter of a Nepali tea plantation worker. … [Read more...]
Prabir’s New Flute
I love Asha Nehemiah's stories, and I love Rajiv Eipe's artwork. How could I not read a Hook Book created by the two of them?Prabir's New Flute is a lovely, gentle story about a gifted boy, whose music is part of every happy event in Munshipara. When his flute breaks, however, Prabir realises that only half the gift is within him. The other half is in the magic of his flute. And so begins his quest for the perfect flute, one that will help him create the best kind of music.What I loved most about this slim little book is the whimsical element of magic. It feels almost real, and wholly believable, even if it is--at least for the time being--out of our reach. Each flute Prabir fashions creates music that is similar to the surroundings in which the bamboo grew. As a child, I would particularly have loved the possibility of it being true! As an adult, I couldn't help thinking … [Read more...]
The Impossible Pet
The Impossible Pet by Jane De Suza is such a fun book! I laughed out loud more than once as the hapless Tarun tries one thing after another to get a pet of his own--whether his parents like it or not.Just like when I read Puppy Trouble, what drew me first into the story is the universality of its theme. What child doesn't want a pet? In Tarun's case, there's more. He and his best friend Joey are same-same in every way--height, age, class, everything. But when Joey gets a pet and refuses to share, how can Tarun be same-same again?So Tarun tries acquiring one pet after another--a lizard, a cow, a pigeon--anything will do! I love how the humour of the story blends with the more serious elements that come towards the end of the book. Without being preachy, The Impossible Pet leaves us feeling that there's a sense of justice in the world!TitleThe Impossible … [Read more...]
Sea ice? Now you don’t!
I've been a fan of Green Humour aka Rohan Chakravarty for so long that I've been wanting to read Sea ice? Now you don't! ever since it was published. It was as delightful as I expected! I found myself reading page after page, alternating between laughter and despair even as I admired the depth and breadth of research that has gone into the creation of each comic.As Rosemary Mosco says in the foreword, what I love about Rohan's work is the way it connects the natural world with the humans who are part of it. His comics are fearless and hard-hitting in their commentary on politicians, influencers and businesspeople alike. While some comics are about species we all know, like a series of comics on tigers, many are about birds and beasts about which I know nothing, from the mistle thrush to the mangrove whistler. Clever punchlines and eye-catching art come together to make us think, … [Read more...]
Top 3 Young Adult Books -2025
I can't remember how many young adult books I read in 2025, but there were just three books that stood out to me. The White Lotus I've recommended The White Lotus to more readers than I can count! A powerful work of historical fiction, what makes it stand out is the way in which the feisty protagonist Arali stands out without seeming oddly anachronistic. She develops slowly and believable, with circumstances shaping ehr character. Although I don't read mystery much, everything about the story drew me in--the sensitive storytelling, the believable characters, and the compelling plot. Book review With the Fire on High Elizabeth Acevedo's storytelling is stunning. I love how she tackles difficult subjects head-on, layering courage with love as she touches upon a range of themes. With the Fire on High is about a … [Read more...]
Top 16 Middle-Grade Books – 2025
SIXTEEN middle-grade books stood out to me last year! When I looked at my list, I did a quick count of how many books I read in all. I lost count at sixty! Of course, that includes picture books and chapter books that make for quicker reads. Here's my list, beginning with the books I gave five stars and then moving to those with 4.5. Willodeen What can one say about Katherine Applegate's writing that hasn't been said before? Willodeen is a stunning book, richly textured and beautifully detailed. It's a work of fantasy that brilliantly touches upon ideas and themes that are relevant to our very real world. Through hummingbears and screechers, she shows us what havoc we're wreaking on the world around us. Book review Gossamer Gossamer by Lois Lowry is another gorgeous book. I often find myself thinking that I … [Read more...]
Top 3 Chapter Books – 2025
I read dozens of chapter books each year, both because publishers send me review copies and because of my book clubs. Somehow, though, only three books really stood out to me! I've introduced all three to my book clubbers (aged nine and ten), and perhaps it's more significant that they enjoyed these books than that I did! The Great Sneak-Out The Great Sneak-Out is my favourite in the POFFS series. Wacky and warm, it tells the story of a pair of sisters--and a third grade mafia! Full of humour and heart, it's also a book with the most striking chapter titles I've ever come across. Each one could be a writing prompt, and in fact, I even designed a whole lesson around one of them--"We Get Away with It. Almost." Book review Bookish Activities Blame It on the Untz Blame It on the Untz is … [Read more...]
Top 8 Picture Books – 2025
I'm not much of a picture book reader, but every year, some gems come my way, gems that I love revisiting before I start a new year of reading. Most of these books were sent to me as review copies, but of course, that doesn't affect my opinion in any way. In fact, if a book doesn't work for me, I simply don't review it.In no particular order, here are eight picture books I loved in 2025. What Feelings Like Best What Feelings Do When No One's Looking was one of my favourite picture books in 2023; What Feelings Like Best is one I loved reading last year. Whimsical and tender, this beautifully illustrated picture book is one I could keep returning to. Targeted at older readers, this is one of those picture books that I believe adults may enjoy more than children do! Book review 1 2 3 Idlis in a Sambar Sea 1 2 3 … [Read more...]
Gobi Goes Viral
Gobi Goes Viral by Vibha Batra is funny, heart-warming, and altogether believable. We've read and loved Kolam Kanna and Pinkoo Shergill at my book club, and I'm happy to introduce yet another book by the same writer to the children I meet. Here's what we'll do as we read this story! Talent Show How can we read a book about a talent show without having a talent show of our own? Over time, I've had children recite poetry, play musical instruments, draw and solve a Rubik's Cube during our book club. It's always lovely to see a side of children that I wouldn't otherwise get to see if we stuck to just reading in class! Similes Gopi (aka Gobi) uses very interesting similes! Starting with an example from the text, we will explore funny similes, coming up with imaginative comparisons for a range of humorous … [Read more...]