Tag Archives: Middle Readers

The metaphor of ‘lines’ is creatively traced both through text and visual image. The vivid images in the poem are given context and feeling through Kripa’s striking illustrations where washing lines are blown by the wind, a file of refugees walk through the cotton fields to find safety, and closed doors and gates represent the insensitivity and indifference of officialdom.

What makes this collection even more special is how the stories are framed. Each one begins with an introduction to an object deeply connected to Kashmiri life—a garment like the pheran, a jewelry piece like the saraf, or a flower or musical instrument.

The varied terrain of the Himalayan region hosts its own species and life forms, and each has a story to tell. The first section of the book has stories devoted to Birds and Animals, Flowers and Trees. The stories that follow in the second section lead into the mysterious world of ghosts, goblins and cunning tricksters. Such elusive figures have always dwelled in the mountain paths and caves, and continue to do so.

Maha Khan Phillips presents through Gul’s lived experience a glimpse into the elite of Karachi and contemporary life inside a conservative Islamic nation that shows its citizens enjoying trendy styles and modern music. Gul is estranged from her family for having rejected the life they expected her to lead.

A friendship between human and other living beings, other animals, the warmth and care shared between them, and love, has many, many forms to manifest itself, many experiences and in many ways. It is intriguing that the author chose the idea of building the house for a dog, considering the context and life of the family being portrayed in the book. The observation remains noticed but unanswered.

Dr. Ratnagar off the project and silenced. Thus, the mystery begins. An apt case for the Seekers to solve!
Mala Kumar’s The Missing Rocks of Hampi skillfully weaves two mysteries—one set in the time of the Vijayanagar Empire, and the other in the present that the Seekers are after.

The book has a chapter on how to find out the purity of these minerals by giving a brief history of scientific study of food that we eat. Properties of the minerals are explained. We get answers on malnutrition and overnutrition from the book. Almost 30 pages are devoted to the subject.

Activity books serve as a beneficial medium for discussing such topics. Creating an activity book focused on food and culture can be challenging due to the diversity within cultures, such as the variety of foods, beliefs, and art forms across different regions. This raises questions about what to include in the book and the criteria for those selections.

‘Quite Alarming’ or hearing a listicle of maxims that he is advised to follow in ‘Getting Help from Chanakya’, or even the final story which brings our two young sleuths together again, this time bent upon ‘Knowing the Rakshasas’—each story trundles to a halt with its moral and pedagogical imperative, and in the process becomes rather far removed from what would motivate often reluctant readers to turn the page.

Such poignant words illustrate the various shades of the night sky, and the many creatures that come alive at night.
I got the opportunity to read both the English and the Hindi book together, and found that reading the words in these two languages simultaneously opened my mind to different perceptions.

The other black and white illustrations in the book also kindle the imagination of the reader to create unusual, goose-bumpy mental pictures that metamorphose into comforting ones, as and when the stories begin to give solutions to the dire present- day condition,

The question of translation always brings with it multiple expectations. For some, a translation must remain faithful to the original; for others, the text should be supple enough to absorb the nuances of the language into which it is being carried.

The illustrations in the book are inspired from dense urbanized places with inadequate space wildlife. Beyond images and verses of catchy rhyme, there is the dark background representing the disastrous effects of dumping overwhelming amounts of junk and litter into water bodies, of which the animals and birds have to face the consequences.

At the heart of the story lies Akru, a strange and fascinating animal. The plot revolves around a humorous yet thought-provoking contest between the Idu Mishmi tribe and the spirits of the mountains (Ngolo/Golos) over Akru’s ownership.

The book has an intensity, emotion, and beauty to it, which makes sure you read it in one go. Whether its Chitty’s playfulness, the rich landscape or some moments of emergency, the description holds your rapt attention.

The plot revolves round the disappearance of a precious plant. There is some tension as neighbours accuse each other of jealousy and theft but the diverse community also comes together in an effort to solve the mystery.

The reference to how Katli’s various personalities handle situations will be meaningful to readers. Katli’s realization that she does not need to switch between personalities and can be herself around people who love her unconditionally (her parents and her friend Abhay) is an important insight.

Nandita da Cunha’s story is gentle yet impactful, and Shreya Sen’s illustrations complement the narrative with warmth and charm. However, according to me, the illustrations could have been more provocative. Illustrations are not just limited to describing the narrative in pictorial form,

Vincent makes it evident that his freedom is uncompromisable. He is an eight-year-old fighting for autonomy in the world of adults who decide what is right and wrong. It also highlights a forgotten era where children in fact, were left alone to explore and find their way.

I feel very connected to the protagonist, since Agassi’s story narrates a common challenge faced by children, that is, self-doubt. The author is successful in addressing this relatable issue to the readers and motivates them to imbibe an optimistic outlook.