TITLE: Goth Girl and the Sinister Symphony

AUTHOR: Chris Riddell

PAGE EXTENT: 256

PUBLISHER: Macmillan Children’s Books

GENRE: Middle Grade

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐️⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Ada and her friends at Ghastly-Gorm hall solve a musical mystery in the fourth book in the award-winning Goth girl series, sequel to Goth girl and the ghost of a mouse, Goth girl and the fete worse than death and Goth girl and the Wuthering fright there are musical goings-on at Ghastly-Gorm hall and a spooky mystery for Ada Goth to solve in Goth girl and the sinister symphony, the fourth book in the Costa children’s book Award winning Goth girl series by Chris Riddell, children’s laureate 2015-2017. Lord Goth is throwing a music festival at Ghastly-Gorm hall, with performances from the finest composers in the land. Ada can’t wait, but it’s quite distracting when her grandmother is trying to find her father a fashionable new wife, there’s a faun living in her wardrobe and Maltravers is up to his old tricks. Ada must make sure everything goes to plan, and Luckily help is at hand from a very interesting house guest…

A grand music festival. An exhibition of exotic animals and birds. Lord Goth’s mother Sparkling Lady Carole playing matchmaker. A faun living in Ada’s wardrobe. What could possibly go wrong? Well, everything, haha!

This book is yet again puns galore! Tailor Extremely-Swift, Donald Ear-Trumpet and the Ladies of G.A.G.G.A are my favourites, hehe! You can’t help but giggle at every single one of these hilarious puns and inspirations drawn from real life public figures!

Not only does this book portray the bond of true friendship, it also sheds light on found family, a topic that isn’t often seen in Middle Grade books. Kudos to the author on highlighting this essential element!

Would this review even be complete without giving a shout-out to Chris Riddell’s hilarious and intricate illustrations? If you’re someone who loves books with illustrations on almost every page, this one is right up your alley!

Will Lord Goth’s mother manage to set him up with a new match? Will the music festival be a success, or will it be yet another mayhem? Read the book to find out! And don’t worry, it wraps up the series with a cute little bow! 😌

Are you a fan of Middle Grade fiction? What are your favourite books?

TITLE: Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright

AUTHOR: Chris Riddell

PAGE EXTENT: 224

PUBLISHER: Macmillan Children’s Books

GENRE: Middle Grade

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐️💫

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

People are flocking to Ghastly-Gorm Hall from far and wide to compete in Lord Goth’s literary dog show. The esteemed judges are in place and the contestants are all ready to win. Sir Walter Splott is preparing his Lanarkshire Lurcher, Plain Austen is preening her Hampshire Blue Bloodhound and Homily Dickinson and her Yankee Doodle Poodle are raring to go. But there’s something strange going on at Ghastly-Gorm – mysterious footprints, howls in the night and some suspiciously chewed shoes. Can Ada, the Attic Club and their new friends the Vicarage sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne) work out what’s going on before the next full moon?Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright is the third beautifully illustrated book in the Goth Girl series by Chris Riddell, sequel to Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse and Goth Girl and the Fete Worse Than Death.

If you’re in the mood for a fun, frolicky, mildly spooky and a hilariously entertaining read, look no further, because Goth Girl is here!

Ada Goth lives in Ghastly-Gorm Hall with her father, Lord Goth. There’s a literary dog show coming up that has the whole manor in a frenzy! But there’s something sinister happening: howls are heard, shows are chewed and paw prints are seen. Can Ada crack this case before it’s too late?

This book is bound to tickle your funny bone with a ton of puns! It constantly had me in giggling fits and the quirkily funny illustrations only add to the experience! The wordplay on authors’ names and other prominent figures, including a cameo from the author/illustrator(you will know when you see it haha) is something everyone will enjoy, no matter their age!

Is a Middle Grade book even complete without some amazing friendships? The Attic Club is a group of six friends who stick by each other through thick and thin and I can’t wait to see more of their shenanigans in the other books! The friendship between Ada and Emily was a particular favorite!

So, what are you waiting for? This is the perfect book for the spooky season and be prepared for some encounters with supernatural beings!

Do you read spooky books? If yes, what are your favourite ones?

TITLE: Wolfish

AUTHOR: Kritika Kapoor

PAGE EXTENT: 208

PUBLISHER: Pan MacMillan India

GENRE: Paranormal Fiction

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐️⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

She wrote romances about monsters. Now one is hunting her.

Tara Tandon’s life is spiralling out of control. Her latest dark fantasy romance featuring werewolves has sparked an outrage over social media, leaving her confidence in tatters. Soon her curiosity is piqued by media reports of a string of brutal murders in Goa that have given rise to rumours about a legendary creature on the prowl. The victims were all young women found viciously mauled and ripped apart. Seeking creative inspiration, Tara heads to the coastal town – only to find herself trapped in a real-life nightmare.

Determined to get to the bottom of the killings, Tara teams up with Sunny, a cop suspended for digging too deep into the local tragedy. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger seduces her into a dangerous attraction reminiscent of her own fantasy novels. As more strange events unfold, Tara is plunged into Goa’s underbelly – spiritual cults, occult rituals and dark secrets, all cleverly concealed beneath the town’s sun-soaked beaches and vibrant trance parties.

Now this sinister world is threatening to shut her in, and she begins to realize that nothing – and no one – is as it seems …

TW: abusive relationships, emotional manipulation, eating disorder(anorexia nervosa), bodily harm

OH. MY. GOD. Little did I know I would end up reading this book from cover to cover in one sitting! This is a thriller in every sense of the word!

Tara Tandon is a (once) successful author of werewolf books who has suddenly fallen from grace after her latest book received severe social media backlash. And to make matters worse, her love life is in shambles. Wait, that’s not all. There are numerous incidents of young women turning up dead in Goa and the serial killer happens to be a WEREWOLF?!?! How did her favorite fictional characters spring to life?! Tara packs her bags and flies to Goa in an attempt to salvage her reputation but what follows is a roller coaster ride full of surprises, betrayals and utter chaos!

I am personally a fan of books with morally gray and flawed protagonists(come on, nobody is perfect) and Tara’s character growth is one for the books. The author manages to realistically portray how life can get extremely messed up and how it can impact our friendships/relationships.

If you are someone who prefers fast-paced thrillers that will have you sitting at the edge of your couch biting your nails, you’re in the right place! The author punches you with plot twist upon plot twist that will have you gasping! I am not kidding one bit when I say my jaw dropped and I went “WHOA!” multiple times!

Books that have mental health rep and do it justice the way it deserves will always get an extra star on the rating from me. Eating disorders are surprisingly very common and kudos to the author on portraying them perfectly. Body image issues, avoidance of food, excessive exercise are some symptoms consistent with anorexia nervosa and if these might be triggering for you, please proceed with caution.

The author doesn’t shy away from discussing some hard-hitting topics! A huge percentage of women are stuck in abusive relationships, both mental and physical, and this forms a significant part of the story. While this is a thriller, it also makes you question the sadly high number of social evils prevalent today and gives you some food for thought. What makes such humans any different from monsters?

The book is not all grim and gore. You get to accompany Tara as she walks the beaches of Goa, visits the umpteen number of cafes dotting the beach and you will want to make a trip to the cute and calm part of the state! (Goa is not all parties and the whole shebang.)

So, what are you waiting for? Pick this book up and encounter some werewolves!

Have you read any book featuring werewolves? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: Amma, Take me to the Hill Forts of Rajasthan

AUTHOR: Bhakti Mathur (illustrated by Priyankar Gupta)

PAGE EXTENT: 108

PUBLISHER: Puffin Books (Penguin India)

GENRE: Middle Grade

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Embark on a grand adventure, exploring the majestic forts of Rajasthan, where history and art intertwine!

Join Amma and her boys, Shiv and Veer, on a captivating journey to the
hill forts of Rajasthan―Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh and Amer―that are
UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Travel back in time as Amma narrates tales of legendary kings, formidable queens and fearless fighters. Listen to the war stories of Bappa Rawal, Rana Sanga and Maharana Pratap, as well as the legends of Rani Padmini’s sacrifice and Mirabai’s devotion. Soak in the awe-inspiring architecture, from the imposing battlements to the intricately decorated temples, reflecting centuries of grandeur and artistry. Marvel at the towering walls, secret passageways, and impressive towers! Through vivid illustrations and colourful anecdotes that echo Rajput strength and pride, discover the history of the remarkable people who once walked these lands.

This series offers a dazzling introduction to the resplendent heritage of Rajasthan, bringing history to life in the most magnificent way.

The forts of Rajasthan have been on my travel bucket list for ages and after reading this book, they shot up to the top of my list!

We follow two young boys, Shiv and Veer as they embark on a tour of the various hill forts of the Rajput kings in Rajasthan along with their Amma, viz. Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh and Amer! If you’re a history buff like me and love reading about battles and rulers and the numerous kingdoms that spanned the length and breadth of our country, this book is right up your alley!

This series is the epitome of infotainment! Narrated as a conversation between a mother and her two curious sons, it makes history fun and palatable for readers, both young and old! Some children tend to find history in textbooks boring, so here’s the perfect solution!

Loaded with illustrations by Priyankar Gupta, this book is bound to transport you to the sunny, rugged terrain of the Aravalli Hills and you can’t help but wonder how the experience would be in real!

While the book is fun and exciting, it also sheds light on the hardships endured by women in that age and portrays that we don’t truly learn about a place without learning the sad history behind it, no matter how harsh. This was definitely a plus for me!

So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy and go on a vacation to Rajasthan with Amma, Shiv and Veer while I go pick up the rest of the books in the series!

What are some of the places on your travel bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: Living With Adi

AUTHOR: Zarin Virji

PAGE EXTENT: 224

PUBLISHER: Duckbill Books (Penguin India)

GENRE: Middle Grade

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Adi Krishnan is different!

He is a bright student, who loves to read, and remembers everything down to the smallest details—yet he has no friends. His unusual view of things makes his classmates and teachers regard him as a weirdo.

Will the bullying ever end? Will people accept him as he is? Will he gain the respect of others, especially his dad?

Award-winning author Zarin Virji creates the extraordinary journey of an ordinary boy, narrated by him, his family, classmates and a teacher. And how, despite the challenges, living with Adi is, in fact, unexpected, delightful and funny.

As a doctor, books that highlight difficult-to-discuss mental health topics and developmental disorders and make them palatable for young readers will always take priority on my TBR. When I heard that this book highlights ASD(Autism Spectrum Disorder), I knew I had to read it right away!

We follow Adi Krishnan, who is on the autism spectrum and lives with his sister, Jasmine and divorced mother, Delna. This multi-perspective story highlights how the disorder is perceived differently by different people with varied levels of knowledge and understanding of the condition. Topics like ASD have to be addressed with a lot of finesse and making a topic like this palatable for young readers is no mean feat. I have to congratulate the author on giving this topic the attention it deserves and for writing a story that was so medically accurate!

Autism doesn’t always manifest in the same manner in all children and this is highlighted by the fact that Adi is academically gifted but struggles on the behavioral front.

One particular perspective that intrigued me was that of Adi’s maternal grandmother, Shirin. A huge percentage of the population chalks ASD up to bad upbringing and dysfunctional families while in reality, there are multiple factors that can lead to ASD. Shirin’s attitude towards Adi shows what majority of the people perceive ASD to be and I believe her perspective was perfectly portrayed by the author.

My favorite character definitely has to be Adi’s mother, Delna. Not only did she vehemently defend her son against all the name-calling and bullying, she juggled being a single mother and sole breadwinner of the family while ensuring Adi had regular occupational therapy sessions.

I cannot emphasise enough how essential books like these are in the current scenario! With more awareness and accurate diagnosis, there are high chances children might encounter classmates with ASD and this book will enable them to empathise and not discriminate against a child on the neurodivergent spectrum.

As far as ASD itself is concerned, the author’s depiction of the condition was nothing short of perfect! The adherence to routines, not adapting well to change, in-depth knowledge of one particular subject(snakes in Adi’s case) and social and behavioral patterns were not only handled with care, but immaculately portrayed!

While the book champions ASD, it also introduces us to Parsi culture and traditions. As someone who loves learning about new cultures, I was particularly intrigued and looked up more online!

I couldn’t help but write this review from a medical perspective as I feel ASD is severely underrepresented in books. Kudos to the author on this one!

Have you read books highlighting mental health and developmental disorders? Let’s discuss below!

TITLE: Hold on to Your Dreams

AUTHOR: Ruskin Bond (illustrated by Pearl D’Souza)

PAGE EXTENT: 112

PUBLISHER: Penguin Random House India

GENRE: YA Non-Fiction

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

On the eve of his ninetieth birthday, literary legend Ruskin Bond brings to readers a heartfelt letter capturing his most cherished memories and experiences. Penning his thoughts with sincerity and grace, the writer reflects upon love, loss, friendship, frailties, solitude and companionship―the bittersweet experience of human existence.

Reminiscing tales of his boyhood and youth, the author urges us to learn from mistakes, embrace empathy and hold on to our dreams through life’s vicissitudes. Complemented with poignant art, this book is a timeless collection of learnings on the journey called life.

We have all grown up reading Ruskin Bond’s books, haven’t we? They are a staple in school libraries and bookstores all over the country. It’s no surprise that Bond’s simple yet elegant style of writing and vivid descriptions of nature have captured the hearts of readers, both young and old.

When I found out that Ruskin was writing yet another book, quite a different one, on the eve of his 90th birthday, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy, and boy, was I not disappointed one bit!

Penned in Ruskin’s classic writing style, this one feels like he has invited you over to his house in the hills and is talking to you like a friend about his early days, lessons he has learned over the course of his life and what he wants you to learn from his experiences, all while sipping hot chai and gazing at the lush beauty of the hills.

If you think this is yet another self-help book with verbose pages of advice, you’re wrong! Peppered with anecdotes from the author’s life and sprinkled with illustrations by Pearl D’Souza, this book is like a letter from the author to all his buddies, helping them learn how to live life and seek happiness in the smallest of things. You can’t help but admire how Ruskin has crafted this book with tales of love, friendship, kindness, compassion and companionship.

If you’re a fan of Ruskin Bond’s, this is definitely a book that should adorn your bookshelf! Every time you need a helping hand or a moral boost, you now know which book to turn to!

Who are some of your go-to authors? Let’s discuss in the comments!

TITLE: Puppy Trouble

AUTHOR: Bijal Vaccharajani (illustrated by Rajiv Eipe)

PAGE EXTENT: 40

PUBLISHER: Duckbill Books (Penguin India)

GENRE: Chapter Book

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Amit wants a puppy. But when a pokey-bitey-chewy-peeing pup turns up, he is not sure he wants a dog any more . . .

Chapter books always have a special place in my heart because not only are they adorable and fun to read, they almost always teach the younger readers something that helps them grow as a human being. Puppy Trouble does exactly that and more!

Amit has always wanted a puppy and when he finally gets one, he realises that having a pet is no easy task. Will he manage to keep the pet? Will he get adjusted to having a pet in his life? Read the book to find out!

This book highlights the fact that while having a pet might seem all unicorns and rainbows, the reality is anything but. A lot of effort goes into raising a pet and this is portrayed seamlessly!

This review would definitely be incomplete without a shoutout to Rajiv Eipe’s illustrations throughout the book! Goofy, adorable and just perfect!

What are some of your favourite chapter books? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

TITLE: Baloo’s Big Win: How Palwankar Baloo Broke the Caste Barrier in Cricket

AUTHOR: Mamta Nainy (illustrated by Saumya Oberoi)

PAGE EXTENT: 40

PUBLISHER: Puffin Books (Penguin India)

GENRE: Picture Book

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A unique biography that explores and celebrates the life of a Dalit sports icon who fought against social injustice.

‘Does anyone really win when not everyone gets to play?’

Right from his childhood, Baloo loved cricket. But he lived at a time when the rules of the game weren’t fair. Despite being a great bowler, he wasn’t allowed on the team because he was from a lower caste. Not one to give up easily, Baloo worked hard and was eventually picked to play on the team. But even after this, he wasn’t allowed to mix freely with his teammates.

Could Baloo overcome this obstacle and change the game of cricket?

Have you ever read a book and felt, “wow, this one is definitely ticks across the board?” That book was Baloo’s Big Win for me!

If you’re from India, you’re no stranger to the malignant caste system that has infiltrated deep into the Indian society and shockingly, is prevalent even to this day. The discrimination and prejudice against the so-called lower castes is baffling and makes you wonder how some people can deign to think of another human being in such a degrading manner.

We follow Baloo, a boy in the 1870s in pre-Independence India, who belongs to the lower caste and is deemed untouchable. One day, when he is late to fetch water, he is subjected to slurs and jeers from the upper caste people who end up cleaning the area he was in. When Baloo and his friends find some discarded cricket bats, he goes on to practice regularly and masters the game.

When he is invited to play for the Hindu Club, he is treated horribly by his own teammates for belonging to a lower caste. One particular aspect of the story that caught my attention was how the British (remember, this is set in pre-independence India?) only cared about Baloo’s talent and prowess without batting an eyelid about his caste while he faced discrimination from his own team members!

Having witnessed atrocities against human beings belonging to a lower caste and being a vehement advocate against the caste system, this book struck a chord with me. I want every young reader to pick this book up and know the harsh truth about the caste system in our society and how not to perpetuate the cycle as future responsible citizens of our diverse country!

The illustrations throughout the book definitely add to the hard-hitting story and this book is a must-have on every Indian reader’s bookshelf!

Have you read a book that highlights breaking societal molds and barriers?

TITLE: Rebel With a Cause: How Ismat Chughtai Rewrote the Rules for Girls

AUTHOR: Mamta Nainy (illustrated by Barkha Lohia)

PAGE EXTENT: 40

PUBLISHER: Puffin Books (Penguin India)

GENRE: Picture Book

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A unique biography that explores and celebrates the life of one of India’s greatest Urdu writers as a rebellious little girl.

‘Aren’t girls and boys equal?’

Right from childhood, Chunni’s favourite word was ‘why’. Why is the sky blue and the grass green? Why can’t I look at the sun for long? Why can’t I have short hair like my brothers?
Chunni’s curious mind was always bubbling with questions. One day, when a coach arrives to teach her brothers how to ride a snowy white horse, Chunni decides she wants to ride, too.

But when she’s told she can’t because she’s a girl, will Chunni have the courage to stand up for herself and ask the most important question of all: why not?

Chunni is a very curious and inquisitive young girl, always questioning why? Why are rules different for boys and girls? Always asking the right questions.

When a coach arrives at her house and her brothers are being taught how to ride a horse, Chunni wants to learn as well! Why should only boys learn how to ride horses? Why can’t girls too?

Mamta Nainy whips out yet another profound book in the Magic Makers series. Misogyny has been rampant in our society since time immemorial and this picture book goes on to show young girls how their gender is no bar in achieving whatever they set their eyes on!

Brilliant illustrations through the book not only make it palpable for young minds, they also add to the experience and make this one a book you’ll never forget!

Now who is Chunni, you ask? She’s none other than one of my India’s most famous Urdu novelists, Ismat Chughtai.

What was the last picture book you read?