A stunning new children's novel from the Costa Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird. PRAISE FOR ASHA AND THE SPIRIT BIRD: 'An evocative debut novel ... satisfyingly classic in feel' GUARDIAN 'A heartfelt and mystical children's adventure story.' TELEGRAPH Xanthe loves visiting her gran in her flat with its rooftop garden. But Nani is becoming forgetful - and Xanthe wishes she could help her, if only she knew how. A mysterious cat shows her a way. It leads Xanthe to clues about Nani's childhood, and how, long ago, she had to escape her old life in Africa for a new one in Britain ... The fourth novel by bestselling, Costa Award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan; author of Asha & the Spirit Bird, Tamarind & the Star of Ishta and Aarti & the Blue Gods Follows archaeology-obsessed Xanthe as she uncovers her family's secrets A tale of secrets, family, refugees, belonging and love Set in a tower block in Nottingham, bringing Jasbinder's trademark magical realism to an urban, everyday setting

From the author of the Costa Award-winning Asha & the Spirit Bird and Tamarind & the Star of Ishta comes a atmospheric, magical adventure with a stunning twist ... 'A magical stormy adventure' THE TIMES 'A gem for readers of eight-plus' THE GUARDIAN 'A deliciously addictive, one-sitting type of read' NIZRANA FAROOK, AUTHOR OF THE GIRL WHO STOLE AN ELEPHANT 'A beautiful weaving of myth and magic ... Simply stunning' ZILLAH BETHELL, AUTHOR OF THE SHARK CALLER Aarti has lived on the island with Aunt for as long as she can remember. Like the weather, Aunt rules her world with rare warmth. Aarti's only comforts are a book of Indian myths full of blue gods, a fox's friendship, and a toy rabbit she finds in a locked room. Then, she learns Aunt has been feeding her lies. Fate intervenes when a half-drowned boy washes up on the beach. With his help, Aarti hopes to remember who she really is ... and perhaps find a way home. The mesmerising third novel from one of the most exciting writers of middle-grade fiction Jasbinder is the author of the Costa Book Award-winning Asha & the Spirit Bird and Indie Book Award-winning Tamarind & the Star of Ishta Themes of identity, faith and belonging with a stunning twist in an evocative and remote Scottish island setting

From the author of the Costa Award-winning Asha & the Spirit Bird comes a breathtaking, magical adventure ...

Tamarind never knew her Indian mum, Chinty, who died soon after she was born. So when she arrives at her ancestral home, a huge mansion in the Himalayas surrounded by luxuriant gardens, she's full of questions for her extended family. But instead of answers, she finds an ominous silence - and a trickle of intriguing clues: an abandoned hut, a friendly monkey, a glowing star ring, and a strange girl in the garden who calls herself Ishta.

Slowly, Tamarind unravels a mystery at the heart of who she is...

Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2019 Winner of the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition 2017 Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2020 Longlisted for the Jhalak Prize 2019 Chosen as one of the Guardian's Best Books of 2019 'This book is such a light-filled, huge-hearted delight of an adventure.' KATHERINE RUNDELL 'An evocative debut novel ... satisfyingly classic in feel' GUARDIAN 'A heartfelt and mystical children's adventure story.' TELEGRAPH Asha lives in the foothills of the Himalayas. Money is tight and she misses her papa who works in the city. When he suddenly stops sending his wages, a ruthless moneylender ransacks their home and her mother talks of leaving. From her den in the mango tree, Asha makes a pact with her best friend, Jeevan, to find her father and make things right. But the journey is dangerous: they must cross the world's highest mountains and face hunger, tiredness - even snow leopards. And yet, Asha has the unshakeable sense that the spirit bird of her grandmother - her nanijee - is watching over her ... A gorgeously original and magical adventure set in India, for children aged 9 and up. From the author of Tamarind & the Star of Ishta - longlisted for the Blue Peter Book Prize. Explores themes of faith, family and friendship while capturing the wild, rich heart of contemporary India.

Journey through India and explore its incredible diversity in this richly illustrated book, with words from a Costa-winning author. Written by award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan with detailed artwork by Nina Chakrabarti, this is a joyful celebration of India and its incredible people, places and wildlife. Watch elephants bathing from a houseboat in Kerala, marvel at ancient cave paintings in Bhimbetka, wander through Delhi's bustling streets, and ride a train through the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya. Uncover India's fascinating history and culture, and explore the unique mix of the traditional and modern that makes India the incredible country it is today. "A truly stunning book to pour over for hours." WRD magazine "This colourful, evocative journey through India [...] does a superb job of conveying the vast scale, variety and richness of the subcontinent, touching intriguingly on its wealth of wildlife, food, festivals, dance, scientific innovation and history." Guardian