When I was at school, Friendship Day was associated with all kinds of secrecy. We would hide writing boards under our desks, and make friendship bands while pretending to listen to the teacher. Friendship bands would get confiscated, much to our indignation. They came under the category of 'ornaments', which were prohibited. Some girls made beautiful friendship bands and their chosen friends wore those bands like badges of honour, hiding them in their pockets whenever teachers were around.Today, Friendship Day makes me smile. Yes, friendship is something I treasure, and I try hard to write about. I try to give it the warmth and passion that infuses the friendship of childhood. Not long ago, a child wrote a book review of The Prophecy of Rasphora, featuring three friends - Tara, Vandana and Afreen. It warmed my heart that the review referred to the three as sisters.Friendship in … [Read more...]
Top Ten: Chapter Books
Calling all the books that I've listed here 'chapter books' is perhaps unfair. Some are quite a bit longer than others. I'm uncomfortable defining books on the basis of age too, as reading levels differ widely even within one school, let alone across schools, areas and countries. I think, broadly, this list comprises books that I enjoyed reading as an adult and would probably have loved when I was eight or nine.Me and Mister PWriter: Maria Farrer Illustrator: Daniel RieleyPublisher: Oxford University PressWhat can I say about the delightful Mister P? Though I read Me and Mister P almost a year ago, it is one of those timeless books that stay with you, a classic.When Arthur discovers a polar bear at his doorstep, the warmest of friendships begins to blossom. Mister P does not say a word, but something special is born out of those wonderful bear hugs and the … [Read more...]
Making Millions
Nicholas wants to go for a masterclass, but his parents refuse to shell out the money he would need. What do real friends do when a friend is in need?Even though Cass thinks that yet another class is strange, this masterclass is what her friend Nicholas wants. So, of course, Cass and the Bubble Street Gang need to make money - and quickly. While they're at it, they decide to become millionaires - there's no need to keep their dreams small, is there? And so, that's the Bubble Street Gang's next project - making millions.Making millions is not the only project that Cass has on her hands. She has a mystery to solve. There is an invisible boy in her class, and no one seems to believe her when she says that. She must get Invisible Boy to reveal himself, and she's determined to do so.Making Millions is a hilarious, heart-warming story, and I loved everything about it. As a child, … [Read more...]