Mystery of the Falling Mountains by Nilima Sinha

Title: Mystery of the Falling Mountains

Illustrations: Subir Roy

Author: Nilima Sinha

Publications: Children's Book Trust

Price: INR 30.00

Review by: Vidhi Sethi

 The story of 'THE MYSTERY OF THE FALLING MOUNTAINS' by Nilima Sinha makes an interasting read. It is about five  school friends - Dipak, Ajay,  Rustom, Ahmed and Richa. They all decided to spend their vacations at Dipak's house in the beautiful snow covered mountains. The grass thick and green was spread lavishly with pale yellow daisies. There they were introduced to many different people including Mr. Das, the owner of the neighbouring farm, Shivant, the contractor, Mr.Hari Lall and his wife Pamella Lall, Motilal, the shopkeeper and Gopi, the gardener. Many buyers were eager to acqire the property of the Pants. Dipak's mother, a widow and the owner of the beautiful house, got many threatening letters, in Hindi and from unknown source. She did not pay heed to those letters and subsequently her son was kidnapped. Someone was forcing Mrs. Pant to leave the house. There was also a series of intentional accidents such as breaking into the house, poisoning of the milk and so on. Rescue teams for Dipak were also kidnapped. It is interesting and at the same time spooky to read how the children were finally rescued and how the culprits were nabbed. 

In the story, Mrs. Pant comes across as a kind hearted and a loving lady and the children as a bunch of intelligent and lively lot. I could not leave the book once I started reading it. It is a wonderful book and a must read for all bool lovers and mystery lovers like me.                                                              

THE PROMISE by R.L. Scott- Buccleuch

 Author- R.L. Scott- Buccleuch

 Publication- Heinemann

 Illustrations- David Barnett

 Rating – 5/5

 Review by – VIDHI SETHI (14 yrs.)

The Promise, by R.L. Scott – Buccleuch is a truly inspirational story of a boy named Palito. The story is set in Bahia, a state in Brazil. It revolves around a boy who is very passionate about football. Beautifully written, the story is very binding and interesting.

Born to Pedro and Maria, a poverty-stricken couple, Palito grew up with his parents and his two sisters- Fernanda and Odete in a small hut. Life had been cruel to him. He had been born with de-shaped legs. But his strong will power and determination drove him to achieve his goal. From a very early age he had had a keen interest in football. His father despite the poor condition of the family wanted him to follow his heart. Pedro’s only wish was that his son becomes a great footballer one day and plays for Brazil. But life wasn't a bed of roses for them. They had to face many highs and lows. There were times when it seemed as if there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Still Palito, with his focused approach and single-minded devotion, was able to fulfil his father’s desire. He became one the greatest players in the history of Brazilian football. At the time of Palito’s birth an old Negress had told his father that his boy would grow up and become famous. She had told him that he would give happiness to many people and would help the poor. Her prophecy had come true. Palito’s name was known in many countries all over the world. Many thousands of people enjoyed watching Palito on the football field and the children’s hospital in Bahia, set up by Palito, gave help to hundreds of poor and sick children.

The story has a beautiful narrative and is a must read for everyone. It inspires the reader. It also creates a kind of passion for the sport and should be read by each and every football lover. Palito comes across as a very nice, determined, courageous and patient individual. He was able to go through so many hardships and obstacles in his journey. From the local village team to the Corinthians, then to The White Star and finally to the Brazilian football team, Palito’s journey wasn’t an easy one. The extremely supportive role that the family plays in his life is also quite noticeable. There is a lot that we can learn from every character.  It is one the best books I have ever read. 

Read the book to find out why the title 'Promise'.

Cheers!

THE MAGIC FINGER by ROALD DAHL

Author- Roald Dahl

Illustration- Quentin Blake

Publishing- puffinbooks.com

Rating- 4.5/5

Review by- VIDHI SETHI (13 yrs)

The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl, a delightful kidlit book is a sure pleasure to read. The story mainly revolves around the narrator and the Greggs. It starts by telling us about the unfortunate series of events that happen with Ms. Winter thanks to our dear narrator’s Magic Finger.

Our little 8yr old narrator hates hunting. Whenever she sees Mr. Gregg and his two sons, Philip and William hunting she gets really angry. Once she sees the trio bringing back a beautiful, golden deer that they had shot. As usual, she starts seeing red, gets hot all over and her finger begins tingling most terribly and unknowingly her Magic Finger touches the Greggs and the adventure begins. The whole family turns into ducks and spends the night in a nest on a tree eating slumburgers and wormburgers. The story continues with the Greggs finally understanding the fact that even birds love freedom and shouldn’t be hunted. The little narrator’s Magic Finger is very helpful in transforming the Greggs.

The book has a beautiful storyline and is worth a read. Complete with attractive pictures the story seems even better. It’s a wonderful example of Roald Dahl’s way of capturing the reader’s attention and making it extremely tough for him/her to keep the book down. It’s a really sweet and interesting book with a nice ending and a good moral. Once you read it, you'll sure bless me for suggesting this book to you. ;) 

ROBINSON CRUSOE by DANIEL DEFOE

TITLE: Robinson Crusoe

AUTHOR: Daniel Defoe

REWIED BY: Vidhi Sethi (12 yrs.)

The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a wonderful book. It starts with a father not allowing his son to become a sailor. But set on his goal, Robinson Crusoe made his maiden voyage to Hull in London with his friends. This was a big turn in his life.

Adventurous as he was, he made his next voyage with another friend of his who was the captain of a ship going to guinea in Africa. Further he went to Brazil and started living with a sugar planter’s family. He bought a plantation of his own. But when a group of them asked if he could journey to Guinea he could not resist the call of an adventure and agreed to go. Little did he know that this journey wasn’t a normal one. It would lead him to a completely new life on an uninhabited island.

Struggling for supplies with failures and successes for twelve years he began to lead a comfortable life. But one day when he saw a man’s footprint and then human skin, flesh and bones he was filled with great fear and anxiety. He tried all possible ways to make his existence a secret. Everything became peaceful once again. Twenty-three years had passed since he had come on this island.

But when one December morning he saw from his window smoke rising somewhere he was filled with dread. Soon after that he came across cannibals and after fighting with them he freed a man who was kept as a prisoner. He named him Friday as he had got him on a Friday.

Friday was a faithful and cheerful person. He told Robinson about his land and his people. But when savages, cannibals and mutineers entered into their life everything is changed. The story then goes on with Robinson capturing the mutineers with eleven other people on his side and then finally in 1686 he left the island after spending twenty-seven years, two months and nineteen days. In June, 1687 he returned to England his hometown and started leading a new life.

This book is the author's first novel and is one of the best known adventure stories in the world. It is a story which thrills all the readers alike, with wonderful events like shipwreck, a young man alone on an uninhabited island, storms, dangers, cannibals, mutineers and finally a glorious home coming.

It is a must read for young readers. Happy Reading!!!

Diary: First day at Quidditch

Dear Diary

Today was my first day at Quidditch. I learnt it quickly. It seemed as if I have flown on a broomstick before. I came so naturally. Bad Draco Malfoy stole Neville's remembrall, so I got angry, mounted my broomstick and got flying. We were not supposed to fly till Madam Hooch made us to do the same. Professor McGonagall saw me and took me to Oliver Wood. I thought she would put me in a detention. But she gave me the post of seeker in the house quidditch team instead. I am so so happy that I would now play for my house.

The most exciting part was that I got a brand new broomstick - a nimbus two thousand. I am so happy today.

Harry

..........

By: Vidhi Sethi, 10 years.

Diary: Harry's first day at school

Dear Diary,

Today was my first day at my new school Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the morning the Dursleys left me at the Kings Cross Station but I did not know how to reach Platform Nine and three quarters. There I met a large family and they showed me the way. 

I saw the red Hogwarts express. I met many children there like Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and many more. Some were already in their new Hogwarts robes. 

As we reached the schoolcastle, there was Hagrid waiting. He told us the way. We were taken to a big hall and I met Professor McGonagall. We were to be sorted into four houses, Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. I was so nervous. I have never been so nervous. I thought they would ask us to perform some magic and I do not even know one. But ther was a hat which we needed to wear and it would sort us into the houses. Magic, after all. I did not want to be in Slytherin. I pleaded with the sorting hat and it gave me Gryffindor with Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ron's three brothers. 

I am so happy and relieved.

Harry

..........

By: Vidhi Sethi, 10 years

Diary: 31 July, 1991

Dear Diary,

Today is my eleventh birthday. We are not at Privet Drive but somewhere else, some place Uncle Vernon thought would be very safe and somewhere those letters addressed to me which somehow know where I am, shall not find me. 

There was a loud noise and the door broke open. It actually 'broke' open. A huge man, calling himself Hagrid entered. I met Hagrid for the first time and he told me something that the Dursleys never told me. I AM A WIZARD AND I CAN DO MAGIC. Now I will not study in that old silly muggle school with that Dudley boy, but rather at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am sure it is all true as that big man Hagrid magically gave Dudley a tail when he was eating my birthday cake. I would be studying magic. I am so happy. I am angry also. Neither Aunt Petunia or Uncle told me about all this. They also told me that mum and dad died in a car crash, but they were actually killed by magic. Hagrid told me all this. I am sure, I will soon come to know much more about my parents.

But now my life will change. I will go back to my world. My parents world. The happy world.

Harry

..............

By: Vidhi Sethi, 10 years

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Title: Heidi

Author: Johanna Spyri

Type read: Abridged

Publication: Tiny Tot Publications

Price: INR 50

Review By: Vidhi Sethi (10 years)

Heidi, one of the best classic kidlit books of English language is a wonderful story. It is about an orphan little girl named Heidi who is brought up by her maternal aunt, until Heidi is four. When her aunt gets a good job, she leaves her in her uncle's house.She is very happy in the beautiful  Swiss Alps. Her only kid companion is a herds boy named Peter.

But after sometime, her aunt comes back and takes her away to Frankfurt again, where Heidi is sent to school for the first time. She is very unhappy with the new city life and becomes very thin and sickly. She also meets Clara there. But for her health, the doctor advises that she must go back to the mountains to get well. She is extremely happy to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps again.

 

It is truly a beautiful story. It is best for young readers. 

Have a good time reading!!!