Stunning. Absolutely stunning. I picked up A Monster Calls in the same way that I pick up all other books - randomly. No one recommended it to me. I read no reviews. I did not read the blurb. Sometimes it's better that way, simply because you have no idea what to expect. Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls is a truly remarkable book, so remarkable that I cannot write anything about it. It wrung my heart. I sobbed as I held on to the book I had just finished. It was over. I didn't want it to be over. Young Conor has the same terrifying dream, night after night. And then the monster, which is older than time itself, comes walking. The monster tells him three tales that twist and turn, and frustrate Conor. Yet, each tale is important. And each tale brings him closer to the fourth tale that he himself must tell - the one that's no easy story. It's the truth. The truth of his nightmare. … [Read more...]
Storytelling Workshop at Palm Groves
A group of parents got together and invited me to conduct a weeklong storytelling workshop at a housing society. Storytelling has never been more fun! Working with my own stories is a lovely experience in itself, and when the story comes with its own kit ... The enjoyment reaches new levels! Here's a group of children putting together the jigsaw puzzle of Bholu at the Level Crossing ... It was such fun telling this story, with the children making the same sounds that Chitra makes in the book, imitating the train - Poooonnnn! Chug-chug-chug-chug, chug-chug-chug-chug. One observant child commented that the red Swift in the picture had to be an old one because there was no reversing camera! And here's another picture of all the children busily colouring the sketches that are part of the third kit, the one for Bholu at the School Excursion ... This one was fun because we … [Read more...]
Books I’ve Been Reading
Lots of travelling always means lots of reading! What better way to spend long train journeys? The Last Unicorn is a classic. If Patrick Rothfuss says it's the best book he has ever read, you know it's worth looking out for. Title The Last Unicorn Author Peter S. Beagle Genre Classic/Fantasy/Fairy Tale Rating (out of 5) 5 Age-group 10+ Among the most powerful books I have ever read, I now know that Theresa Breslin is an author I want to read more of! Title Prisoner of the Inquisition Author Theresa Breslin Genre YA/Historical Fiction Rating (out of 5) 5 Age-group 13+ I picked up this one because I was sure that a book called Travelling Backwards written by a person called Toby Forward had to be entertaining, at the very least. I was not disappointed. Title Travelling Backwards Author Toby Forward Genre Fantasy/Magic Rating (out of … [Read more...]
Let’s Break Some Records!
Of late, I've been too busy to post updates about events I conduct, but here's a quick heads-up. I'm conducting a workshop at the British Library tomorrow! Explore novel records that you can see yourself setting! Work on all four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking. Interact with other children with varied interests. Reflect on everything you have read so far and why it interests you. Most importantly, let's have some fun! It's part of this year's Reading Challenge, but you're welcome to attend the workshop even if you aren't part of the challenge! Here are the details: Venue: British Library, Fergusson College Road, Pune Date: 8th January, 2016 Age-group: 8-13 years Time: 4pm to 6pm Registration fee: Rs 600 Contact: Namrata - 020-41005327 Pre-registration is preferred, but if it is impossible, you're welcome to drop in fifteen … [Read more...]
Running on the Cracks
So much to do, so much to read, so much to write! I haven't written my blog for ages because I've been busy writing a brand new series on trains ... But more about that when we're closer to the date it's to be launched. Running on the Cracks made me create a little space in the whirlwind of activity that has made up the last few months. I read and watched The Gruffalo's Child a while ago, and when I saw a book by Julia Donaldson in the library, I had to read it. And I read on and on. Moving beyond the 'political correctness' of the way we ought to address the immigrant Chinese population in Glasgow, Running on the Cracks came alive to me at each step. Leonora Watts-Chan, half-Chinese and half-English, is on the run. Her parents died in a plane crash, and she begins to live with Aunt Sarah and Uncle John. Her cousins tease her about the colour of her skin; in fact, they tease her … [Read more...]
Whale Boy
I don't know a single child who has read and not liked animal stories. I remember Animal Ark. I think of Gill Lewis's White Dolphin. There are hundreds of horse stories that I've read and loved - Stallion Club comes to mind immediately. Whale Boy is one of those beloved animal tales. Growing up in Rose Town, Dominica, Michael learns very early on to manage on his own. His mother was, according to his grandmother, 'not mother material', and abandoned him as a baby. His father went to London in search of her and never returned. Legend says that there is a place where the waters run deep enough to lose the highest mountain. That's where the whales come - so many that you can walk on their backs. Yet, sperm whales were the victims of generations of whalers. There are no whales left on the island ... or are there? Michael discovers that it may just be dangerous to find out. Befriending … [Read more...]
Flight to Dragon Isle
One of the reasons I love travelling is that I have so much time that I can spend reading without feeling guilty about everything else I could have been doing instead. Waiting, sitting around, marking time until my workshop begins ... What else can I do? I loved The Dragon Whisperer; I wanted to know what happened next. And there was the sequel, Flight to Dragon Isle, sitting on the shelf in the library, waiting for me to borrow it. The Grand Master is intent on treason, but even Quenelda's father the Earl is not convinced that his childhood friend Hugo could have gone so far astray. Yet, in the fight against the hobgoblins, the Earl comes face to dace with treachery. He knows that Hugo has betrayed the SDS, but before he can make any kind of report, he goes missing and is reported dead. Quenelda is sure her father is not dead, though. Yet, she and her esquire Root have just a handful … [Read more...]
The Witching Hour
Seventeenth century Scotland. The Presbyterians are convinced that the word of God is not equivalent to the word of King Charles, sitting far away in England. The Black Cuffs are everywhere, rounding up suspected Presbyterians because by the law enforced by Charles Stuart, it is illegal to pray outdoors; you can be fined for not going to the kirk for Sabbath; you can be penalised for denying the authority of the king's bishops and ministers. Each one suspected of Presbyterianism must go through the Test - or be hanged. Elizabeth Laird's The Witching Hour is a powerful novel told from the point of view of young Margaret Blair, more sure of her love for her family and friends than of the word of the Lord. She is not a Covenanter, and does not know what Jesus wants from her. Life is confusing, surrounded as she is by people who are so convinced of their … [Read more...]
A Face Like Glass
How would it be to have a face like glass, a face that is a window that can tell the truth and only the truth? And how would it be to have a face like that in a world where Facesmiths sculpt each expression on each individual's face? A Face Like Glass is a remarkable book, which took me on a journey through the twists and turns of Caverna, an underground land that is just about being held together by the Grand Steward. A Kleptomancer is on the loose, though, one who steals unpredictably, and seems to delight in taking Caverna by storm. Into all this comes Neverfell with her face like glass ... The story drew me into a world of surprises, each one of them vividly imagined. The plot was as complicated and surprising as Caverna herself, Caverna which is beautiful and unknowable, and so mysterious that Cartographers go mad … [Read more...]
The Raven Boys
Last week, the members of the Writers' Club wrote book reviews of books they've read recently and loved. Here is a review by Riva Verma of The Raven Boys, a book I have not read. Welsh kings. Ley lines. Hidden bodies of ancient monarchs. This novel is filled with adventure and mystery. That is what I like best about The Raven Boys. There were parts which intrigued me so much that I had to know what was going to happen, scenes where I was scared for the characters, times when I experienced each and every emotion alongside them. My favorite character is Blue Sargent. She is a poor but happy girl, the daughter of a physic. She lives in a house full of mothers, cousins, aunts and friends, and is told that she will kill her true love if she kisses whoever that person may be. She has lived with two mysteries her entire life: who is that person and who was her father? My other favorite is … [Read more...]
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