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Sim's Magic Windmill
Persimmon McStandish is twelve years old and has Crohn's Disease. But that's not her only problem. When she goes to stay with her Great Uncle Baldwin on the remote Isle of Eigg she stumbles across a magic windmill and finds herself drawn into an incredible adventure. Everyone seems to believe she is the heroine predicted in an ancient prophecy who must save Scotland from disaster, but Persimmon is not convinced. Join her in a tale of friendship, heroism and redemption as she meets strange and magical creatures based on Scottish folklore and comes to terms not only with her destiny, but also with her illness.
149 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2018
1 person want to read
About the author
M. Ganendran
7 books4 followersMelissa Ganendran is the author of several mystery and adventure stories for young adults and the Victorian crime novel, ‘The Porcelain Cat: A Detective Amarnath Mystery’. She ghostwrites for her husband’s true crime podcast, ‘Prash’s Murder Map’ and his ‘Murder Casebook’ series, and together, they have co-authored a groundbreaking new work about the 1944 Cleft Chin Murder, due for release by Pen & Sword in 2025/2026.
Melissa has also been shortlisted for several short story and flash fiction competitions, and in her spare time she is a patient advocate for people living with Crohn’s Disease and other long-term health conditions.
Melissa has also been shortlisted for several short story and flash fiction competitions, and in her spare time she is a patient advocate for people living with Crohn’s Disease and other long-term health conditions.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 18, 2018
3.5 star (The Author very kindly sent me this book, however it doesn't affect my review and all opinions are my own)
M Ganendran does it again with her brilliant writing. Her stories give you all the feels and is brilliant for children and young adults.
Sim’s Magic Windmill is about a young girl suffering with Crohns Disease. One day she is taken to stay with her uncle on an Island called Eigg. Throughout her stay on th is Island she discovers something magical and befriends some rather unusual characters who help her on her journey in fulfilling the prophecy that has been set out for her to do .
I have read all of M Ganendrans books and loved them all, he writing style really captures your interest with her magical worlds and quirky characers. This story in particular is aimed at a more middle grade audience but young adult reader will love it and I highly recommend her books to everyone.
I do feel that this is my least favourite of her books, and that the story could have held a little more detail, but I'll let it slide as the reader audience she is aiming it at is younger than me. Other than that I can't praise her books enough and I'm excited to read more of her books in the future.
Thank you M Ganendran for writing great stories that I love.
M Ganendran does it again with her brilliant writing. Her stories give you all the feels and is brilliant for children and young adults.
Sim’s Magic Windmill is about a young girl suffering with Crohns Disease. One day she is taken to stay with her uncle on an Island called Eigg. Throughout her stay on th is Island she discovers something magical and befriends some rather unusual characters who help her on her journey in fulfilling the prophecy that has been set out for her to do .
I have read all of M Ganendrans books and loved them all, he writing style really captures your interest with her magical worlds and quirky characers. This story in particular is aimed at a more middle grade audience but young adult reader will love it and I highly recommend her books to everyone.
I do feel that this is my least favourite of her books, and that the story could have held a little more detail, but I'll let it slide as the reader audience she is aiming it at is younger than me. Other than that I can't praise her books enough and I'm excited to read more of her books in the future.
Thank you M Ganendran for writing great stories that I love.
April 22, 2018
‘If you kick a stone in anger, you’ll hurt your foot’.
British author M. Ganendran presents a fourth publication (the first being the entertaining THE GUARDIANS OF RAINBOW TOWER), continues to impress as a writer of cozy mystery/adventure novels for children and young adults with her other books A SUMMER OF WITCHES, THE SONG OF THE MERMAID, and now SIM’S MAGIC WINDMILL. Ganendran lives in South East, England.
Ganendran has a gift for writing Young Adult stories that successfully entwine mythology, fairy tales, fantasy, magic and in this particular book – real medical information – in such a way that adults who read her books will find not only mesmerizing escape from the ‘now world’ but also learn about other lands and other cultures. This story is based on real Scottish folklore, the creatures in the book are inspired by existing myths and legends: the author explains the use of Scottish accents and spellings. But in addition to this magical aspect the story’s heroine, ‘Sim, suffers from Crohn’s Disease, which, as Graham the tortoise correctly explained, is one of two auto-immune diseases known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the other being Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn’s Disease can cause inflammation and tissue damage in any area of the digestive system, very commonly in the terminal ileum which is just between the small and large intestine. This is where Sim is affected, like me. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2017 and found it very scary even as an adult, which made me think about how children and young adults who are diagnosed must feel. As stories where the main character suffers from a long-term condition are few and far between, I wanted to fill that gap to show that someone can still be a hero or heroine even when they are living with an illness. Unfortunately, Sim has to progress onto stronger medication (biologics) to manage her condition and I am also at this stage at the time of writing.’ This degree of trust and commitment to her readers is yet another reason her books work so well
The story opens with a Prologue full of atmosphere and provides needed background for the story to commence. Ganendran’s writing style is fluid and richly colorful and she is able to make mythical events blend with contemporary events, paralleling her sets of characters in a fashion that draws the read into the mystery. Sharing the manner of descriptive writing that so appeals to young adults helps those who would be readers understand why the ‘story’ reflects may contemporary family interactions, a trick this astute author manages very well indeed: “Gurgle-guts!” “How many times have you been to the toilet today, Poo-simmon?” Persimmon McStandish pushed past the bullies and hurried toward the school gates, head down. Home time, finally. “Leave her alone, you clodhoppers!” someone called, hurrying up to Persimmon and taking her arm. It was Ellie Winterbourne. It had to be, using a word like ‘clodhoppers’. “Ignore them, Sim,” she said, tossing her chestnut curls over her shoulder in distaste. “They’re just oafs. Don’t let them bother you.” “I know,” Persimmon replied, grateful to her only friend. “But it’s embarrassing. I wish I wasn’t like this.” She rubbed her eyes viciously with her coat sleeve, and Ellie did her best to pretend she hadn’t noticed her friend crying. “Crohn’s Disease is nothing to be ashamed of,” Ellie continued, walking alongside her. Fortunately, the bullies had given up and wandered off. Persimmon, or Sim as most people called her, knew she was lucky really. Most of the kids at school didn’t treat her differently, and although she only had one really good friend, at least the others weren’t usually mean to her. Apart from one or two, who seemed to make it their mission in life to come up with at least one new name to call her every day. Sim brightened up a little as they got further away from the school gates. “I just wish I wasn’t like this,” she said. It’s not just the name calling, it’s the way I feel by the end of the day. So tired, like I just want to go home and sleep. Nothing’s been the same since this stupid illness came along.”
But enough praise for writing skills – the story is more important, and the synopsis relates the plot outline well: ‘Persimmon McStandish is twelve years old and has Crohn's Disease. But that's not her only problem. When she goes to stay with her Great Uncle Baldwin on the remote Isle of Eigg she stumbles across a magic windmill and finds herself drawn into an incredible adventure. Everyone seems to believe she is the heroine predicted in an ancient prophecy who must save Scotland from disaster, but Persimmon is not convinced. Join her in a tale of friendship, heroism and redemption as she meets strange and magical creatures based on Scottish folklore and comes to terms not only with her destiny, but also with her illness.’
Fine writing from a talented new author with panache.
British author M. Ganendran presents a fourth publication (the first being the entertaining THE GUARDIANS OF RAINBOW TOWER), continues to impress as a writer of cozy mystery/adventure novels for children and young adults with her other books A SUMMER OF WITCHES, THE SONG OF THE MERMAID, and now SIM’S MAGIC WINDMILL. Ganendran lives in South East, England.
Ganendran has a gift for writing Young Adult stories that successfully entwine mythology, fairy tales, fantasy, magic and in this particular book – real medical information – in such a way that adults who read her books will find not only mesmerizing escape from the ‘now world’ but also learn about other lands and other cultures. This story is based on real Scottish folklore, the creatures in the book are inspired by existing myths and legends: the author explains the use of Scottish accents and spellings. But in addition to this magical aspect the story’s heroine, ‘Sim, suffers from Crohn’s Disease, which, as Graham the tortoise correctly explained, is one of two auto-immune diseases known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the other being Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn’s Disease can cause inflammation and tissue damage in any area of the digestive system, very commonly in the terminal ileum which is just between the small and large intestine. This is where Sim is affected, like me. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2017 and found it very scary even as an adult, which made me think about how children and young adults who are diagnosed must feel. As stories where the main character suffers from a long-term condition are few and far between, I wanted to fill that gap to show that someone can still be a hero or heroine even when they are living with an illness. Unfortunately, Sim has to progress onto stronger medication (biologics) to manage her condition and I am also at this stage at the time of writing.’ This degree of trust and commitment to her readers is yet another reason her books work so well
The story opens with a Prologue full of atmosphere and provides needed background for the story to commence. Ganendran’s writing style is fluid and richly colorful and she is able to make mythical events blend with contemporary events, paralleling her sets of characters in a fashion that draws the read into the mystery. Sharing the manner of descriptive writing that so appeals to young adults helps those who would be readers understand why the ‘story’ reflects may contemporary family interactions, a trick this astute author manages very well indeed: “Gurgle-guts!” “How many times have you been to the toilet today, Poo-simmon?” Persimmon McStandish pushed past the bullies and hurried toward the school gates, head down. Home time, finally. “Leave her alone, you clodhoppers!” someone called, hurrying up to Persimmon and taking her arm. It was Ellie Winterbourne. It had to be, using a word like ‘clodhoppers’. “Ignore them, Sim,” she said, tossing her chestnut curls over her shoulder in distaste. “They’re just oafs. Don’t let them bother you.” “I know,” Persimmon replied, grateful to her only friend. “But it’s embarrassing. I wish I wasn’t like this.” She rubbed her eyes viciously with her coat sleeve, and Ellie did her best to pretend she hadn’t noticed her friend crying. “Crohn’s Disease is nothing to be ashamed of,” Ellie continued, walking alongside her. Fortunately, the bullies had given up and wandered off. Persimmon, or Sim as most people called her, knew she was lucky really. Most of the kids at school didn’t treat her differently, and although she only had one really good friend, at least the others weren’t usually mean to her. Apart from one or two, who seemed to make it their mission in life to come up with at least one new name to call her every day. Sim brightened up a little as they got further away from the school gates. “I just wish I wasn’t like this,” she said. It’s not just the name calling, it’s the way I feel by the end of the day. So tired, like I just want to go home and sleep. Nothing’s been the same since this stupid illness came along.”
But enough praise for writing skills – the story is more important, and the synopsis relates the plot outline well: ‘Persimmon McStandish is twelve years old and has Crohn's Disease. But that's not her only problem. When she goes to stay with her Great Uncle Baldwin on the remote Isle of Eigg she stumbles across a magic windmill and finds herself drawn into an incredible adventure. Everyone seems to believe she is the heroine predicted in an ancient prophecy who must save Scotland from disaster, but Persimmon is not convinced. Join her in a tale of friendship, heroism and redemption as she meets strange and magical creatures based on Scottish folklore and comes to terms not only with her destiny, but also with her illness.’
Fine writing from a talented new author with panache.
April 15, 2018
This is really a journey full of ‘feels’, if you know what I mean…
Persimmon, a lovely child with Crohn's Disease, she goes to visit her uncle on a distant isle called the Isle of Eigg and finds a windmill which contains magic and then, everything changes for her. A magic world, an adventure and a prophecy, Persimmon will not only encounter a new world but she could also be the hero they were searching for.
A lovely book telling a story about a sick young girl looking for a purpose in life, this tale not only makes her go on an adventure beyond her imagination but to also come in terms with everything surrounding her, deep inside us, we all want to be heroes in our life or someone else’s, but the truth is, there are always limitations to those dreams, some might be because of insecurities or doubts with yourself and other cases, like Persimmon, an actual disease that don’t let you make the things you want.
Even so, in this great story, Persimmon overcomes every doubt about her, and realize where her true strength really is, she has proven to be a human being and a real hero, we should all learn from her, an inspiring story waiting for us.
Persimmon, a lovely child with Crohn's Disease, she goes to visit her uncle on a distant isle called the Isle of Eigg and finds a windmill which contains magic and then, everything changes for her. A magic world, an adventure and a prophecy, Persimmon will not only encounter a new world but she could also be the hero they were searching for.
A lovely book telling a story about a sick young girl looking for a purpose in life, this tale not only makes her go on an adventure beyond her imagination but to also come in terms with everything surrounding her, deep inside us, we all want to be heroes in our life or someone else’s, but the truth is, there are always limitations to those dreams, some might be because of insecurities or doubts with yourself and other cases, like Persimmon, an actual disease that don’t let you make the things you want.
Even so, in this great story, Persimmon overcomes every doubt about her, and realize where her true strength really is, she has proven to be a human being and a real hero, we should all learn from her, an inspiring story waiting for us.
April 19, 2018
An Inspiring Story!
This is an inspiring story of a little girl who is suffering from disease, but destiny takes her to the remarkable journey that helps finds her inner strength. It is her journey to magic windmill, meet the magical characters, help them find and be their hero, and overcome her weakness, come to terms with her weaknesses and identify her true strength and purpose in life. It’s a great book for kids and rather anyone- a feeling of good inspiration.
This is an inspiring story of a little girl who is suffering from disease, but destiny takes her to the remarkable journey that helps finds her inner strength. It is her journey to magic windmill, meet the magical characters, help them find and be their hero, and overcome her weakness, come to terms with her weaknesses and identify her true strength and purpose in life. It’s a great book for kids and rather anyone- a feeling of good inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews