Xanthe & the Ruby Crown: from the Costa Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird

by Jasbinder Bilan

Xanthe loves visiting her grandmother in her tower-block flat with its lush rooftop garden. When Nani is diagnosed with dementia, Xanthe is determined to help her remember who she is and her family history. A mysterious cat leads Xanthe to some unexpected answers; secret mementoes from Nani’s past which reveal her as a girl who, long ago, was forced to leave everything she loved behind ...

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Contemporary

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2023

About the author

According to family stories, Jasbinder was born in a stable in the foothills of the Himalayas. Until she was a year and a half, she lived on a farm inhabited by a grumpy camel and a monkey called Oma.

Jasbinder graduated from Bath Spa University where the seeds of her story were nurtured, but it was the incredible bond with her grandmother which was the inspiration for Asha & the Spirit Bird.

She lives with her husband, two teenage boys and dog Enzo in a man pad and splits her time between teaching and writing.

Reviews

[Wfix · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very lovely book.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasbinder Bilan is another one of my favourite authors. I have all of these books and have happily shared them with my classes in the past. This one is about Xanthe and how she begins to understand that her precious grandmother has early dementia. Xanthe and her grandmother have always been exceptionally close and it is very difficult for her to accept what is happening. She and her best friend, along with a new friend, Padma, set out to create a special memory museum of Grandmother's life to help her remember the past. Xanthe is helped by a mysterious cat who seems to appear out of thin air at the right time. This cat helps Xanthe find parts of her gran's childhood and she begins to piece together her gran's life as a child. This book is a fantastic way to introduce children to dementia and the effects it has on people and their loved ones. It also sheds light on some of the history of Uganda that I had no idea about; how in 1972, Asian people were driven out by the president and forced to flee the country. I think all of the themes in this book are excellent teaching and talking points for learning. The book is beautifully and sensitively written as well. A very enjoyable read.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw @jasbinderbilan had another book out as I have devoured the last ones in a couple of sittings. This one I knew I couldn’t do it justice by making time to sit down and read so I listened to the audiobook on @bookbeat

The story really hit home on a very personal level with the theme of dementia and how it affects the individual as well as everyone around them. The topic was written in such a beautiful, caring way it tugs on the heart strings. The story also really captures the important history in Uganda at the time with sadness rather than animosity.

Xanthe as a character herself is wonderful, immediately likeable with real teenage problems such as friendships as well as having to deal with more adult issues with her family.

I couldn’t stop listening to the story, it was captivating throughout and left the reader wanting more after every chapter. Bilan always writes beautifully and this is no exception.

Highly recommend reading this beauty and if you haven’t read her previous books…. Firstly why not?! And secondly you definitely must!

[Lindsay Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of this is ok. It's basically about Xanthe's relationship with her Granma as she develops dementia.

However the narration of the audiobook was really annoying. The narrator took huge pauses and emphasised nearly every word so it was tedious to listen to.

If I'd read this instead of listening to the audiobook I'm sure I would've enjoyed it much more.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting view of historical (Not too far back) Uganda.

Xanthe is real and flawed but genuinely cares for her Nani.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasbinder Bilan never disappoints! Her stories are pure magic. I loved this book!

[Kate Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Novelle Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good middle grade book which does have a great line about how our history teaches us so much which I totally agree on. It does also tackle dementia In a good way.

[Alex (ReadingBetweenTheNotes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of a young girl's attempts to come to terms with her grandmother's dementia diagnosis. I'm yet to read anything by Jasbinder Bilan that I haven't liked.

[✿Nush✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing boookkk!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern Tom's Midnight Garden. Friendship and family at the centre.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but not very believable

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really loved the cat Leo. I did get upset when he left, though. But it was a really good book, and I loved it even though I determined not to because my mum was making me read it.

[Adam Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xanthe and the Ruby Crown by Jasbinder Bilan is so heartwarming and heartbreaking that you can't underestimate the power of how non-patronising children's stories can be. All of the themes in this book are excellent teaching and talking points for learning something new, especially distinguishing one's culture.

Xanthe loves visiting her grandmother in her tower-block flat with its lush rooftop garden. When Nani is diagnosed with dementia, Xanthe is determined to help her remember who she is and her family history. A mysterious cat leads Xanthe to some unexpected answers, personal mementoes from Nani's past which reveal her as a girl who, long ago, was forced to leave everything she loved behind…

I've read nearly all of Ms Bilan's work, and her latest is no exception! This one is a unique way of introducing to child readers dementia and the effects it has on people and their loved ones. It's especially a smartly written story with family and friendship at its core, with some true historical events to learn from, such as the history of Uganda.