Maths and Logic are fascinating. I remember when I studied Descartes, who tried to prove the existence of God using pure logic. I understand the drive to do that - just like I understand Tara's need to use a theorem to find friends. Can a foolproof Friendship Theorem exist? Can we actually use a Venn diagram to find friends? Tara and the Friendship Theorem is a lovely book about big changes and making friends. Like with Ramanujan, I enjoyed the facts at the head of each chapter; they help me get into Tara's very particular character. Just like Tara (and the author Chitra Soundar), I, too, played pallanguzhi as a child too, though my rules were a little different from the ones at the beginning of the book. But I played all things mathematics - Cheese Buzz, Magic Squares, even mental maths games. Unlike Tara, however, I never attempted to use Maths to find friends. And more importantly, I … [Read more...]
Ada Lace, On the Case
Most of my book clubbers love mystery stories, and that's why the A to Z Mysteries are a great favourite. It's time to introduce another series--Ada Lace, On the Case! Like Maya from Maya and the Robot, Ada Lace is a scientist and inventor. How does she solve the mystery of a dog that has suddenly gone missing? As we find out, here's what we'll do! Picture Description Let's begin by looking at the cover of Ada Lace, On the Case. What do we learn about the protagonist just from the picture?What, in your opinion, is Ada most interested in? Field Journal The cover of Ada Lace, On the Case has the protagonist holding a field guide. What is a field guide, and what is a field journal? I will ask my book clubbers to keep a field journal for ten days, as we read this book. During the last class, each of them will share what they jotted … [Read more...]
Maya and the Robot
Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing is a heart-warming story about a girl and a robot. It is the story of being lonely, finding community. and discovering what it is to be human. Particularly in an age when AI has found its way into so much of our lives, it's a relevant read while also being a timeless one. Here's what we'll do as we read it at my book club. Book Discussion What, according to you, makes a human different from a robot? At my book club, we'll have a mini-debate on the topic: A robot would make an excellent friend.I'm curious about what my book clubbers will come up with! Vocabulary Games Maya and the Robot is one of those books for which I found tons of resources online--though mostly related to vocabulary. Let's do criss-cross puzzles, word games, and more! Science Fiction For the creative writing … [Read more...]
Song of the Asunam
Song of the Asunam is a stunning book. Just like when we read Chris Riddell's Ottoline series, we're going to spend a lot of time looking at the pictures of this gorgeous graphic novel as we read it together at my book club! Here's what else we'll do as we read. Fantastical Creatures Can you create a fantastical creature? And no, I don't mean a unicorn with wings or a three-headed dog. Can you come up with something unlike anything you've ever read about or seen? At my book club, we'll describe and draw creatures that would belong to the world of the Asunam! Monster I love playing monster games because they give so much scope to the imagination! Together, we'll create a monster and like Vetri in the story, we'll figure out whether the monster is truly wicked or just sad and misunderstood. Heroes and Villains What … [Read more...]
Horton Halfpott
A hero who refuses to step out of line, even though he is employed by the worst sort of people. A nefarious, wickeder than wicked set of villains. A bumbling, larger-than-life detective. Bring them together, and you get a rollicking, delightful mystery story.From the moment I looked at the cover, I was curious--because Horton Halfpott is just one of three wordy titles. It is Horton Halfpott or The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of M'lady Luggertuck's Corset. I had to read the book!Arguably, the loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's corset starts the whole story off. A precious heirloom is stolen. A famous detective is summoned. And Horton Halfpott falls in love.The range of unlikely events coming together in this hilarious book makes it a fun, unpredictable read, bringing to mind writers like Roald Dahl and David Walliams. Brief chapters add pace to the … [Read more...]
The Pink Dress
Earlier this month, I saw posts on social media about The Pink Dress--the story of a girl who wants a pink dress and will not let anything stand in the way. I was uncomfortable about the stereotype of a girl wanting pink. I couldn't help thinking about how my book clubbers would respond to the book.And yet, I knew that a hOle book by Shabnam Minwalla wouldn't be as simple as that. Besides, stereotypes exist for a reason, and why must every story deliberately contradict an idea that many would identify with?With all these thoughts in mind, I started reading.And I loved the book.Yes, Kanmani, the protagonist of the story, wants a pink dress. But that's just one layer of this deceptively simple story. As we read on, we understand where she comes from and why the pink dress is out of reach. Just like in When Jiya Met Urmila, we see class divides, which are so complex and … [Read more...]
Maya and the Robot
What a charming middle-grade book!I stumbled upon Maya and the Robot completely by accident. I was looking for something by Maya Angelou, and this one showed up. It looked interesting, so I picked it up--and thoroughly enjoyed it!Maya and the Robot begins slowly. When I started reading it, I wondered if it would be a predictable story about a genius girl who finds a friend in a robot she creates because her best friends are now in another class. It is, and it isn't. For one, the story becomes far more believable because Maya doesn't create the robot from scratch all by herself. Instead, she finds one designed by an engineer at Stanford and tweaks it based on notes she finds, as well as research. For another, the story has many more layers, making it a satisfying, endearing tale.The robot Ralph drives the story. Through him, we get to know all the others, from Christopher … [Read more...]
My Name Is Khadija
Do you like your name? Have you ever thought of changing it? I know lots of people who've changed their names--including my grandmother--but I've always loved mine. I love the letter 'V' and I love what my name means ... unlike Khadija in the story. Why couldn't her parents have chosen a simpler name? Like Priya or Hema, for instance.My Name Is Khadija is a humorous, enjoyable read. Mariyam Fatima's words make Khadija come alive to us, and Isha Nagar's illustrations are full of joy.Khadija's stubbornness, her childlike questions, and her determination to get the best deal are delightful. When her father tells her that Khadija was Prophet Muhammad's first wife, Khadija's response is perfect, exactly what I could imagine a child saying -- But I don't want to be anyone's wife.Right through the story, I found myself chuckling at the pictures, especially at the expressions on … [Read more...]
The Race for Rugda
The Race for Rugda by Lesley D. Biswas and Anupama Ajinkya Apte is a heartwarming story for young readers. In some ways, it's an old-fashioned tale, one that helps us believe goodness and kindness will always be rewarded. Yet, it conveys this message in the sweetest possible way without hitting us on the head with its moral!Savita's mother has been ill for a while. When she's finally regaining her appetite and her strength, all she wants is rugda--a mushroom that people in Savita's village forage for in the woods. Savita is determined to find the mushrooms for her mother, but when people need her help with other things, what can she do?As the story progresses, we hope that things will turn out for the best--and they do. Ultimately, we finish this delightful Hook Book with a smile, reassured that all is well with the world!TitleThe Race for RugdaAuthorIllustratorLesley D. … [Read more...]
Song of the Asunam
What a gorgeous book! Even though I've seen Song of the Asunam dozens of times on my social media feed, I had no idea what to expect because I avoid reading reviews before I read a book that looks exciting to me. And this book by C.G. Salamander and Rajiv Eipe is absolutely stunning!I opened the book and spent several minutes just gazing at the end papers. Six-eyed lions with trunks and tusks. Striped hyenas with manes. Tiny elephants as high as grass. Snakes with legs. Each of the mythical beasts featured there is a work of art.And then comes the story. Sweetness and adventure come together in Vetri's tale as he trains himself to be a hunter. But then, are the monsters he hunts truly monsters? Is slaying the monster the only way to save his village?I loved every page of Song of the Asunam. The words and artwork come together to create a rich experience for the reader, an … [Read more...]