Asha & the Spirit Bird
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.
