New Books to Buy For Your Children: Honest Mini-Reviews

Hi everyone, once a month I do a round-up of the books I have read and reviewed recently. You can read the previous months’ posts here and here. The books I’m reviewing today are meant for children 7 and up. Read on to know my honest thoughts:

1. FLYAWAY BOY by JANE DE SUZA:

This heartwarming book should be required reading for every child. Kabir, a naughty yet creative and imaginative boy has a tough time fitting into “boxes” prescribed by society and school. When he runs away, his family and peers are forced to view the world through his eyes, and life is a lot better when you think out of the box!

The story line is wonderful, and the easy readability and timely use of illustrations and poetry make it even more interesting.

It is a must-read for all children but especially for those considered “troublesome” or those who find it difficult to fit in.

Rating: 5/5

Buy the book here

2. SHRILOK HOMELESS: THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURES VOLUME 2 by PIKA NANI

Clearly modelled on the Sherlock Holmes series, this Mumbai based teen detective is a captivating character.

The stories are innovative and well-written. Pika Nani (Deepika Murthy) has done a good job of incorporating the iconic traits of the original detective in a  contemporary Indian context.

Unfortunately, I feel the stories are too short and move too fast, making the plots seem implausible and over the top. Nevertheless, it’s a good introduction to detective fiction for children ages 7 and up.

Rating: 3/5

Buy the book here

3. MIDDLE SCHOOL: BORN TO ROCK by JAMES PATTERSON AND CHRIS TEBBETTS

The protagonist is an endearing girl called Georgia, and the story revolves around her life in middle school. This includes a troublemaker of a brother, her best friends and band mates, her crush as well as her arch enemy- the super popular Missy.

The story is a typical American school drama, similar to the Sweet Valley’s I read at a young age. However, this is more contemporary in its handling and funnier too. The awesome illustrations enhance the reading experience. Even if your child hasn’t read the other books in the “Middle School” series, they will find this easy to read.

It’s written for both girls and boys and I appreciate that it doesn’t fall into a stereotype. The book is entertaining and engaging and will appeal to young minds.

Rating: 4/5

Buy the book here

4. HOW THE SEA BECAME SALTY by SUDHA MURTHY:

Murthy’s strength as an author lies in her simple and relatable writing style. She has a lovely way with words as well as the ability to create a credible atmosphere.

The story itself is very similar to the classic children’s tale, “The Magic Porridge Pot”. I was a bit disappointed to see an old story simply rehashed in a different context, but perhaps most of her readership hasn’t read the original version.

The illustrations are nice and complementary to the storyline. However, it is well-written and readable.

Rating: 3/5

Buy the book here

5. THE INDIAN MILITARY SERVICES SERIES by ARTHY MUTHANNA SINGH AND MAMTA NAINY:

The books are written from the perspective of people enlisted in the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. Each story talks about the lives and duties of military officers, and how their families feel about these honourable yet dangerous jobs.

These books are great for children of parents who are in the military services, and also for children who have no idea about our country’s protecters. I highly recommend each of these books. They are well-written with a wealth of information and lovely illustrations.

I do however, feel that the books would have been even more engaging in a comic/graphic novel format.

Rating: 4/5

Buy the books here

I hope you enjoyed these mini-reviews. Let me know in the comments what your children have enjoyed reading recently!

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*This is not a sponsored post, however it contains affiliate links. When you buy a book using my link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I would be very grateful if you helped support my blog by using my link to buy books.

**Copyright in content and pictures belongs to nooranandchawla and cannot be republished or repurposed without permission from the author. As I am a copyright lawyer by profession, infringement of any kind will invite strict legal action.