The Elephant Thief was one of those books that I would have loved to read as a child, and thoroughly enjoyed as an adult. At the back of the book, there are three words that describe it - animal, adventure and thrilling. I think the first two sum up the book perfectly. I wouldn't go as far as to say it was thrilling, but it certainly was exciting.The twists and turns in the plot were sometimes surprising and sometimes predictable. As always, more than twisting plots, characters drew me in. The special relationship in this book is the one that blossoms between the street-urchin-turned-prince Danny and the elephant Maharajah. I am not at all a fan of elephants being domesticated - elephants belong in the wild. But then, this is historical fiction, loosely based on fact, so I couldn't really complain. I enjoyed the book!Additionally, The Elephant Thief was a quick read … [Read more...]
My Name’s not Friday
My Name's Not Friday. I love the title. My name is not Friday. It says so much to me.In the afterword, Jon Walter talks about markers in the book like the embargo on cotton, which happened in the first year of the American Civil War. Yet, he warns the reader that if you try too hard to figure out the timeline of the novel, for there is one red herring after another - he did not want to restrict himself to a 'true' timeline or even to just real places. If I ever write historical fiction, I wonder, will I have the courage to do that? Somehow, I doubt it.Perhaps the book would not work for people who are very familiar with the American Civil War. Perhaps it would make them cringe and shake their heads with annoyance at the liberties Walter has taken. But for me, the story was paramount.A young black boy being raised in an orphanage is secretly sold into slavery. The priest who … [Read more...]
Workshop for Women’s Day
Yes, I was a bit sceptical about doing a workshop for children to mark International Women's Day. What would I do? How much would I say? How would I even begin to talk about the inequality we see around us every day without even noticing it?Talking about equal pay means nothing to these children. Pay is something far, far in the future. Unequal opportunities and conditioning do not ring true to them. Believe me, I've tried. Most are too idealistic to think that these could be true - and perhaps that's a good thing.So, I began with home.How many of you have mothers who work outside home? Six out of seven.Who cooks at home? Two children said both their parents do. The others, you know the answer.Laundry? Three said both parents. Then, as an afterthought, another agreed.Who buys groceries? Both parents.Who does 'extra' cleaning - windows, dusting, cobwebs … [Read more...]
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World
The British Library is organising several women's day related events this weekend, and thanks to that, I came across a gem: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World.Featuring Jane Austen, Gertrude Ederle, Coco Chanel, Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, Mary Anning, Mary Seacole, Amelia Earhart, Agent Fifi, Sacagawa, Emmeline Pankhurst, Rosa Parks and Anne Frank, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is an absolutely lovely read.With wonderful illustrations and an engaging layout, I think it's a delightful book, no matter how old you are, and this despite the fact that it is an 'educational' book.(Oh, and I just had a look at a related activity book, and that looks fun too!)Title Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the WorldAuthor Kate PankhurstGenre Non-fictionRating (out of 5) 5Age-group 6+Based on this book, I will be conducting a … [Read more...]
Charmed Life
I remember reading something by Diana Wynne-Jones a few years ago and not particularly enjoying it. I can't even remember which book it was. I don't know what made me pick up Charmed Life, but I'm so glad I did! Not only did I find a wonderful book, but I also found a list of books waiting to be read!Gwendolen is a witch, and her younger brother Cat knows that. In fact, he thinks the only reason he is alive is that she is a witch who saved his life when he was drowning. Gwendolen is talented and ambitious, determined to rule the world. No one can stand in her way, not even the most powerful enchanter in her world.On an aside, you could blame it on Enid Blyton's Malory Towers, but from the very beginning, I disliked Gwendolen. I hope that if I ever meet someone called Gwendolen, my impressions aren't as tinged with prejudice as they were when I started reading this book!Coming … [Read more...]
The Wolf Wilder
The Girl Savage. Rooftoppers. And now, The Wolf Wilder. How can one person write three such wonderful, and wonderfully different books?I started reading The Wolf Wilder with unfairly high expectations. For one, I've read and loved Katherine Rundell's other books. For another, the cover of The Wolf Wilder has a quote from Philip Pullman saying it is a triumph. What more validation does a book need?Yet, about halfway through the book, I was conscious of disappointment. Sure, it was a nice book. But it wasn't great. It wasn't the kind of book that forced me to keep reading. I could not gasp at Rundell's imagination, somehow. It wasn't a story that I'd find myself reliving and telling people about. It did not have the punch of things I love in stories - friendship, loyalty, bravery ...And then, as I continued to turn the pages, the narrative shifted again, and … [Read more...]
Perijee and Me
Caitlin is sure her disguise will work. She will escape from the camp that is supposed to keep her safe from the monster that is taking over the world. She will save her friend. Caitlin dons a chef hat, and even writes 'chef' on it. If that's not convincing, what is?Unfortunately, she looks like a ten-year-old. Also, she has always found reading and writing difficult, so she's spelt 'chef' with an 's', and she's put the 'e' the wrong way around. Somehow, the guard is not convinced that she's a chef.Caitlin is an absolutely charming character. Lonely and friendless, she has no idea what she's going to do during her summer holidays, especially since her mother refuses to let her adopt animals and bring them home.When Caitlin finds a little creature that looks like a prawn, everything changes. Before she knows it, the creature begins to grow. It can control its shape and as it begins … [Read more...]
Sophie Someone
When I started reading Sophie Someone, I simply could not figure it out. I was also a little put off by the idea that the whole story was told from the point of view of a pigeon. I have no love for pigeons.But then, something made me frown and say, 'Let's give this another shot.' I turned to the back of the book and saw a little pie-chart put there by the publisher. The pie-chart said the book was mainly about secrets. A small part of the book would deal with pigeons. And a bigger part would deal with word play.Eyes a little wider, I began reading the book again--and could not stop until I had finished. And finally, when the last page was over, I found myself thinking, 'Oh, my God! That was such an incredible book! Are there really people in the world apart from me who understand it?'Sophie Someone is an unusual book, to say the least. Sophie has a secret and she … [Read more...]
So Many Books, So Little Time!
I've been reading so many lovely books that I think it's finally time to write about them. When I am on a train with co-passengers I don't want to talk to (which is 99.999% of the time), I end up reading almost throughout the journey. And when it's a 20-hour journey ...Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot is what I would call an important book. Whenever I'm choosing a book to recommend to a child, I want to choose the right book. And sometimes, the 'right' book is not one that I personally enjoy. I recommend Agatha Christie, though I don't like mysteries much. I recommend Percy Jackson, though I didn't enjoy the stories I read much. Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot is like that. A child's take on depression, it speaks of simplicity and the importance of being non-judgmental. What would you do if your father suddenly became depressed? Would you think that the terrible yoot has got … [Read more...]
Reading Challenge Workshops at MIT Gurukul
Six workshops with six different batches. Six hours of workshopping, one session after another. And it was so much fun!MIT Gurukul is using a mixed bunch of reading challenge books this year. Some children are reading Space Hop, some Creepy House, and some The Big Friendly Read. So, beginning with Grade V, I decided to move away from all the stories they've been reading, and I read out Bholu and the Thief, followed by a word puzzle. The children read, participated ... And absolutely loved the Word Search!With Prep-II, I read out a delightful book by Sir Quentin Blake - The Five of Us.Angie can see very well even from a distance. Ollie, who wears round dark glasses, can hear very well. Simona and Mario (who happens to be in a wheelchair) can lift ridiculously heavy things. And Eric ... I won't tell you what makes him amazing! Participative, enthusiastic children … [Read more...]