Over two years ago, we read Hungry to Read by Arti Sonthalia at my book club. The children thoroughly enjoyed the story, and the book discussion was completely different from what I expected. I thought we would talk about stereotypes and about how judging reading speed isn't ideal ... but none of that happened. Instead, the children talked of how much they loved the book.For me, Read, Write, Race was a much more enjoyable read, but I can't help wondering how this one will go with the book club!Very recently, I realised that even older children are not familiar with dyslexia. This surprised me, as several schools I've worked with have encountered dyslexia and spoken to children about it. While I have no idea how old I was when I first encountered the word, I look forward to talking to the children about learning disabilities. With Read, Write, Race, we'll follow Raghav's journey, as he … [Read more...]
The Prophecy of Rasphora
It is always a little daunting to introduce a book of my own to my book club. But I've done so many events based on The Prophecy of Rasphora, and so many of them have gone so well, that I feel (hope) this will be fun too!Tara, Afreen and Vandana discover a land behind a waterfall, the land of Rasphora. Vandana, ever practical, knows that they must get out of Rasphora as soon as they can. Life is not easy for them, and they cannot afford to miss a day's work, even though they are just children. But when she learns that she is part of a prophecy of this beautiful, mysterious land, she can't help but pause. She should, at least, listen to the prophecy before returning to her home in the hills. Shouldn't she? Language Games What is the first problem you would face if you found yourself a new land? This question always leads to the problem of communication. … [Read more...]
Fortunately, the Milk …
Some time ago, we read Help, My Aai Wants to Eat Me! at my book club. As planned, one of the things we did as we read the book was to make a list of pros and cons, like the protagonist Avi. Look at some of what we discussed. Out of all these ideas the last one stayed with me. When it comes to reading (and most other things), choice is key. If I want children to love books and reading, they must have the freedom to choose! Curating books is all very well, but every so often, it's important to take suggestions.And so, we chose Fortunately, the Milk ... by Neil Gaiman. It's silly, hilarious and all kinds of impossible. I know that some elements will not be every child's cup of tea, but we're going to have a lot of fun with it. It's a quick read too, which gives us all … [Read more...]
Journey to Jo’burg
I picked up my copy of Journey to Jo'burg when I visited The Dogears Bookshop a couple of months ago. As I read it, I wondered whether I could introduce it to my book club. It is simply and beautifully written, but it touches upon difficult themes that I don't know a lot about. I remember reading When Morning Comes, a YA book by Arushi Raina set in South Africa, but I've read little else set in the country.Plus, talking about apartheid, inequality and injustice at an online book club isn't always easy because we can't quite judge the children's moods. For instance, I remember a child writing to me privately in the chat box didn't like the conversation about what frightens us because it made him even more scared. Yet, books about difficult subjects are important. Books like Journey to Jo'burg give us hope. Although set in a different age, the book gives us a glimpse of a time that is not … [Read more...]
Munni Monster
I read Munni Monster a few months ago and loved it. It's a beautiful book, written with empathy and ending with hope. I knew I had to introduce it to my book club, and I can't wait to do so.Munni Monster is a book about a difficult subject, but for me, dwelling on only the subject matter of the book as we read is a bit of an overkill. The children will, I know, understand the messages the book conveys without any interference on my part. Of course, we will talk about cerebral palsy, but that cannot be the only thing we discuss without ruining the beauty of the book, so here's what we will do as we read. Secret Hiding Places Mishti has her own little hidey-hole that no one else is allowed to enter.Do you have a private place of your own? I know I did, as a child. I made my own hiding places too, with umbrellas in a corner, or saris under a dining … [Read more...]
Chitti’s Travelling Book Box
The most rewarding books to read at my book club are books about books. I remember reading The Reading Race, Book Uncle and Me, Bookasura and Koobandhee; it's likely that there were others too.Even as I read Chitti's Travelling Book Box when it came out in February, I knew I would read it with my book club sooner or later. Here's what we will do as we read! Reading is Boring! If your friends think reading is boring, what will you do? What do you think can make reading fun?We'll begin by talking about this and sharing ideas, but if we can, I'd love to implement the children's ideas in class. If there is something the children think will make reading more fun, let's do it together! The Monster Game Inspired by Chitti, we will play a game I love - the monster game! Together, we will create a monster and then maybe draw it and give it a … [Read more...]
Four Hook Books
At a workshop recently, I showed participants a few hOle books and Hook Books. I had Malhar in the Middle (one of my favourites), The Clockwala's Clues (because how could I not?), Cyrus the Whyrus (a delightful new Hook Book) and Passepartout, Is That You? (because I love how readers are active participants in the hunt for Passepartout).And not one of the teachers in the room had heard of either series. This made me realise (again) how much we need to leave reviews and talk about books we read! Wet Paint 4/5 Wet Paint, written by Asha Nehemiah and illustrated by Chetan Sharma, is a sweet, fun book. The illustrations are especially delightful: even on the cover, I love Paru's shiny, bright eyes! The enthusiasm and energy we see there take us through the twists and turns of a story about finding something … [Read more...]
The Adventures of Tootsie Lama
We read The Very Glum Life of Tootoolu Toop a couple of years ago at my reading programme for ages nine and ten, and we loved it. That's why I picked up The Adventures of Tootsie Lama. It has the same kind of craziness, which makes it perfect for my book club.Tootsie Lama is reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking in her independent, almost amoral, way of functioning. She wants thukpa, and she will steal it if she must. Her friend Tenzing is the perfect ally, more than willing to be part of her madcap schemes, even if it means getting into trouble with his mother. But in this adventure, perhaps Tootsie Lama goes a little too far and has to face consequences that she didn't quite imagine ... It's such a fun story! Food Tootsie Lama goes to astonishing lengths for a bowl of thukpa. What food would you do anything for? And if we're being completely wacky, how … [Read more...]
Dungeon Tales
We read Dungeon Tales II in September last year and loved it. In fact, it was everyone's favourite read from the August-September selection, even though it competed with Paati Vs UNCLE and Frindle. So how can we not read Dungeon Tales, or, as the children at my book club call it, ungeon ales?A brilliantly crafted collection of stories, this book takes us through the creation of the tome we encounter in the second book. The Badmash Badshah is all set to make heads roll, until one young prisoner comes up with a plan - of regaling the emperor with stories. One by one, the prisoners are brought before him, and they tell him their magnificent, fantastical, hilarious tales. Word Choice Why does the author Venita Coelho use the word 'dungeon' rather than a word like 'prison' or 'jail'? How does word choice affect a story?Through a quick vocabulary activity, … [Read more...]
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat
I love Chris Riddell! I read Ottoline Goes to School sometime last year, but I couldn't introduce it to my book club because it wasn't available in India. Less than a month ago, I learned that Ottoline and the Yellow Cat is available, so of course we must read it!I love serious humour. I know that's an oxymoron, but for me, it's the kind of book that's earnest and written in such a way that something utterly ridiculous reads like it is perfectly normal. And that's what makes the Ottoline series delightful. Lovely pictures and a perfectly lovely story come together in this quick, beautifully illustrated story about a girl and her unusual friend. Here's what we'll do as we read Ottoline and the Yellow Cat at my book club. Collections Ottoline's parents travel all over the world and collect all kinds of things, including masks, extremely small paintings, … [Read more...]