Books are constant companions and everlasting friends. They never go away, they never have anything better to do, nor do they ever get angry with you. Another great thing about books is that you can carry them wherever you go — to the beach, to school (of course you can’t take out your secret friend in class), to the movies, to parties…well, almost anywhere.
If you are an avid reader, you must have your “To Read” list up and running by now. But if you wish to jazz up the list a bit or add a bit of variety, here are some suggestions. Also, if you are just getting into this mind-boggling, absolutely fascinating world of books this is an eclectic mix for you to begin your reading adventure.
Nothing can match up to Roald Dahl’s Phizz Whizzing Collection . This is a treasure indeed, with 15 of his best-known books in a slipcase. Quentin Blake has adorned the pages with his illustrations. Dahl’s stories are unpredictable, funny and unforgettable. The collection includes the all time favourite Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, James and the Giant Peach, Going Solo and more.
A bit of magic
Have you heard of Mr. Majeika? He is a teacher at St. Barty’s Primary School. Nothing exceptional about the school — it is a simple run-of-the-mill kind of place, may be even a school like yours. But, Mr. Majeika is different. He flies into the class on a magic carpet! (How you must wish this could happen during one of your more boring lessons.) Mr. Majeika has more tricks under his hat. He transforms the carpet into a cycle. He provides chips during dinner and he transforms a nasty boy into a frog for being rude… Mr. Majeika is a wizard! The series is written by Humphrey Carpenter.
Back to our favourite pastime — cricket. The Champs of Devgarh by Aditya Sharma takes you to a small town named Devgarh. It is a story of the Star Eleven Team against the Holy Mission School team. Both the teams are determined to win the trophy and be the best cricketing school in Devgarh. Highly entertaining and full of action there is never a dull moment in the world of cricket.
The Geronimo Stilton books are still very much top of the charts. Geronimo Stilton is a talking mouse who lives in New Mouse City, Mouse Island. He works as a journalist and editor for a paper called The Rodent’s Gazette.
Meet Mooli whose “fingers had a mind of their own”. Meddling Mooli and the Blue-legged Alien and Meddling Mooli and the Bully on Wheels by Asha Nehemiah finds you enjoying Mooli’s many adventures and his unique thought process.
Salman Rushdie has written two books for children. He says when he wrote these books he kept in mind his two sons. The stories are filled with enchantment, lyricism and magic realism. Luka and the Fire of Life and Haroun and the Sea of Stories are must-reads, as Rushdie is indeed a master story teller.
Bewitched!
Now for some magic with Hobson-Jobson. Durjipore, is an island forgotten by India. On this island live 13-year-old twins Floyd and Farook Foxwalla. Hobson-Jobson is a much looked forward to festival, but this time around it is marred by a series of kidnappings. And then, Farook becomes the next kidnapping victim. Floyd is determined to rescue his brother. The Magic of Hobson-Jobson by S. Owley is filled with magical creatures, including a flying dog, legendary forest dweller Ressuldars, a waterfall of faces and much more, all waiting for you to dip your fingers into the magic potion.
Ghosts and hauntings love to dwell in old houses and dark, dingy places — so we think. But here’s a ghost in a PC. There’s a Ghost in my PC by Payal Dhar finds Madhu with a laptop which is home to a ghost. This is her secret. Madhu’s sister Kumuda, who thinks she is an investigator smells something fishy here and sets about trying to solve the problem.
Off the rack
While you are caught up with the plethora of new books don’t forget the classics. The list is long and endless, but to mention a few —The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Call of the Wild by Jack London, Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift, Moonfleet by Meade J. Falkner, Treasure Island by R. L. Stevenson and The Coral Island by Robert M. Ballantyne.
At the Big Top
A heart-warming tale of a friendship between a little boy and an elephant calf. Chained by Lynne Kelly is a story of 10-year-old Hastin who is forced to leave his remote village in Rajasthan, when his sister falls ill. He finds work in a faraway forest as an elephant keeper. The circus owner, Timir is cruel and punishes the elephant calf Nandita when she does not learn new tricks. Hastin tries to protect Nandita and they forge a strong bond of friendship. Will they be able to escape? Will they survive the odds?
Another circus story of interest is Tiger Thief by Michael Clarke. Sharat is 10 years old and he travels with his father’s circus. He performs amazing feats with his white tiger Emira. Arriving at the City of Jewels, the troupe has to play for the young emperor, Suleiman and the frightening doctor Rookh. At this time, Emira mysteriously disappears. Sharat sets out to find his beloved tiger. His search takes him into the city’s sewers, through enchanted gardens, crystal caverns and a magical underworld.
