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The harsh realities of 18th century life, of slavery, of prejudice, of tragedy, of corruption, of the haves and the have nots are woven together incredibly intricately and yet quite simply told too. Rest assured this book will have significant impact on a teenager, just as it will an adult and I do urge you the parent to read it as well for it won't disappoint, in fact you'll find it wonderfully exciting and totally unputdownable. It was a well-deserved winner of the Whitbread Children's Book Award in 2000.
Have you ever wanted something so much that you wished, begged and pleaded every chance you got? That's how much Abi wants a dog - and then one day Georgie comes bounding into her life, all golden fur and tail-wags. But Abi will need Georgie more than she knows, as she and her best friend start to drift apart Reflect is a series of emotionally powerful books with realistic settings, carefully crafted to promote thoughtful discussions and develop higher-level reading comprehension. Written by top childrens authors and developed with Literacy expert and Series Editor Nikki Gamble, these are books you can trust to engage, entertain and support childrens personal development. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to stories with the right depth and complexity for them, and helping them to progress. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children deepen their understanding and support their reading comprehension. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links to relationships education and support literacy skills.
A beautiful new edition of the first volume in the Surya Trilogy by Whitbread award-winning author Jamila Gavin. India, August 1947: Fleeing from their burnt-out village as civil war rages in the Punjab, Marvinder and Jaspal are separated from their mother, Jhoti. Marvinder has already saved her brother's life once, but now they both face a daily fight for survival. Together they escape across India and nearly halfway around the world to England, to find a father they hardly know in a new, hostile culture... A powerful story of culture, class, family and faith set against the backdrop of Indian independence and the Partition of India and Pakistan. Perfect for fans of The Bone Sparrow, Morris Gleitzman's Once, and Katherine Rundell's The Wolf Wilder. ---- Jamila was born in Mussoorie, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Her Indian father and English mother met as teachers in Iran and by the age of eleven she had lived in an Indian palace in the Punjab, a flat in a bombed out street in Shepherd's Bush, a bungalow in Poona, near Mumbai and a terraced house in Ealing. She settled into a little town cottage in Stroud, Gloucestershire twenty five years ago but she still loves to travel. She won the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year award with her book Coram Boy in 2000.
Scheherazade must use her wits to save her from death. Every night for one thousand and one nights, she weaves captivating tales of genies, lamps, flying horses and sorcery, transporting the reader into magical and lavishly illustrated worlds. Will her honeyed words be enough to sweeten the mood of the angry king? TreeTops Greatest Stories offers children some of the worlds best-loved tales in a collection of timeless classics. Top children's authors and talented illustrators work together to bring to life our literary heritage for a new generation, engaging and delighting children. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children explore the content, supporting their reading development. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links and activities to support guided reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Prepare to enter a world of magicians, enchanted forests, talking animals and wicked witches . . . Here are six magical stories to thrill and enchant you. Watch Blackberry Blue rise from the bramble patch; follow Emeka the pathfinder on his mission to save a lost king; join Princess Desire as she gallops across the Milky Way on her jet-black horse. These beautifully written and original stories will delight readers of all ages, and the stunning illustrations by Richard Collingridge will take your breath away.
One diamond - a world of spies, death and deception. In Venice, the diamond promises wealth and prestige to greedy Bernardo Pagliarin. At the court of the Great Moghul in Agra, it holds the key to the throne itself. For Filippo and his family, the stone is worth far more. It could bring their father back from the dead. From the bustling markets of seventeenth-century Venice to the majestic palaces of Hindustan, acclaimed author Jamila Gavin takes the reader on an unforgettable quest across desert, sea and mountains.
A beautifully illustrated biography of Alexander the Great by a Whitbread Award-winner. Who was Alexander? Myth or man? God or devil? He claimed to be Zeus' son and even in his own lifetime wild legends sprang up about him. Above all, Alexander was a hero - brave, wily, handsome and inspiring. This richly illustrated biography skilfully interweaves accounts of Alexander's battle campaigns with legends from each newly conquered country. From Greece and Egypt to Persia and India, the stories of the great mythical heroes Achilles, Gilgamesh, and many others echo Alexander's own charmed life.
A compelling biography of Alexander the Great by a Whitbread Award-winner.Who was Alexander? Myth or man? God or devil? He claimed to be Zeus' son and even in his own lifetime wild legends sprang up about him. Above all, Alexander was a hero - brave, wily, handsome and inspiring. This part-illustrated biography skilfully interweaves accounts of Alexander's battle campaigns with legends from each newly conquered country. From Greece and Egypt to Persia and India, the stories of the great mythical heroes Achilles, Gilgamesh, and many others echo Alexander's own charmed life.
Enter the magical and exotic world of the Indian goddesses... Three contemporary stories inspired by Hindu tales Shanta and the Goddess Kali: Shanta is chosen to dance for the gods at the temple by the sea. It's a great honour, but Shanta is terrified - the goddess Kali has put a terrible curse on the temple... Amrita and the Goddess Lakshmi: Hanuman the Monkey God takes Amrita into the story of Diwali to see Prince Rama tricked and Princess Sita kidnapped by the terrifying Lord of the Demons. Amrita will then witness the most terrifying battle on earth... Anil and Kiki and the Goddess Durga: When their cousin Durga comes to stay, Anil and Kiki find her a bit unusual. Strangely, she seems to know what's going on in their minds. But when trouble threatens, Durga turns out to be a very useful person to know...
A collection of cherished Hindu stories, including tales of creation, the birth of the gods and the arrival of humans. Come on a journey with master storyteller Jamila Gavin as she writes of great floods, romance and epic battles between good and evil. Illuminated by Amanda Hall's delicate, colourful artwork, which reflects influences of both classical and contemporary Indian art styles, Tales from India is a sumptuous addition to the Collector's Classics series.
Journey into the East with Whitbread Award-winning Jamila Gavin in this historical adventure for junior readers. Twelve-year-old Filippo has never known his father - the jeweller who created the priceless Ocean of the Moon diamond. But when a mysterious visitor claims the jeweller has been kidnapped, Filippo sets off on a dangerous journey into the East, encountering bandits, warlords and greedy shahs all with one aim in common: to find and claim the precious diamond. But Filippo has a secret of his own; and on this journey, he can trust no one.
All children love stories. Here, master storyteller Jamila Gavin draws them from the four corners of the globe: The Whistling Monster , a cautionary tale from Brazil; The Coming of Raven , a creation myth from Canada; The Birth of Krishna , an ancient legend from India... Full of mystery, wit and wisdom, with enduring themes of good versus evil, these ten tales have survived hundreds of years of retelling to become favourites among children all around the world.
This spellbinding haunted-house story takes place within the confines of a grand London mansion, a place where shadowy characters are always coming and going, almost like ghosts. But when twelve-year-old Nettie's beloved tutor disappears, the cloistered yet savvy girl must pull her head out of the sand and find out why. In her search, she makes a friend and turns detective, coming apart yet coming alive as she discovers deeply disturbing things about her father and how he funds her family's extravagant lifestyle - through human trafficking. The award-winning author's new novel is a rich and riveting story about the dangers of turning a blind eye to unsightly events and unsavory possibilities.
Everyone has a facade. Everyone has a secret ...An unputdownable and haunting mystery from award-winning author Jamila Gavin. From the dark of the Bulgarian underworld to the grandeur of central London, what you don't know can't harm you. Or so Nettie believes. Nettie lives a privileged life in a mansion and she is adored by her parents. But her world shatters when her beloved tutor, Miss Kovachev, mysteriously disappears from the Round Tower. Does the ghost in the shadows of Nettie's house have something to do with it? Will spooky Great-Aunt Laetitia help her piece together the fragments? And why won't her parents tell her anything? Jamila Gavin is perhaps best known for her Wheel of Surya trilogy and Coram Boy, which have won her numerous awards and nominations. The Robber Baron's Daughter is a carefully woven tale of a privileged girl who becomes embroiled in trafficking, and Jamila Gavin once again proves that she is one of the finest writers for children putting pen to paper today. Praise for Coram Boy: 'A rich and almost gothic drama' Philip Pullman, Guardian 'The different strands of the novel ...come together in a thrillingly satisfying conclusion' Sunday Telegraph 'Perhaps the richest, most beautifully-wrought historical novel written for a generation' Herald
Born to an Indian father and an English mother, Jamila Gavin's childhood was divided between two worlds. Having spent her childhood in India, Jamila and her mother move to England. It is the time of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth and England is experiencing a post-war boom, a time of positive anticipation and enthusiasm for the future. Jamila recounts how she experiences teenage life in England as she grapples with British culture, develops long-lasting friendships and harnesses her musical talent. An engaging and evocative insight into a young girl growing up and struggling with identity and culture.
When Neetu and Sanjay hear that Grandpa Chatterji is coming to stay with them, they try to imagine what he will be like. Will he be stern like their other grandpa? Will he be neat and tidy? They could never have imagined the Grandpa who arrives. He wears a dhoti, stands on his head and makes the most delicious pakoras. And when they go to visit him in India, they meet more of their wonderful, vibrant family. Three collections of stories about a very unusual grandpa.
When Neetu and Sanjay hear that Grandpa Chatterji is coming to stay with them, they try to imagine what he will be like. Will he be stern like their other grandpa? Will he be neat and tidy? They could never have imagined the Grandpa who arrives. He wears a dhoti, stands on his head and makes the most delicious pakoras. And when they go to visit him in India, they meet more of their wonderful, vibrant family. Three collections of stories about a very unusual grandpa.
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