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Eerie Tales from the East #1
Warned: The Astrologer's Prophecy
An astrologer at a local fair predicts that 12-year-old Avi will die a horrible death, but Avi thinks it's superstitious nonsense. Sent to stay with relatives in a remote village while his parents are away, Avi feels trapped in a crumbling mansion with a grandfather he barely knows and his sinister servant.
As, one by one, the astrologer’s dire predictions start to come true, Avi fears his time may be running out. But he's too young to die!
Can he trust Lalita, a social outcast, to help him solve the mystery of the astrologer’s ominous prophecies? Or is he doomed for ignoring the warning?
Eerie Tales from the East brings you supernatural stories with a contemporary twist. Each story in the series highlights a myth, superstition, or ghost story from an Asian country, set in a modern world. Ordinary characters must rise to extraordinary challenges…or risk losing the ones they love.
As, one by one, the astrologer’s dire predictions start to come true, Avi fears his time may be running out. But he's too young to die!
Can he trust Lalita, a social outcast, to help him solve the mystery of the astrologer’s ominous prophecies? Or is he doomed for ignoring the warning?
Eerie Tales from the East brings you supernatural stories with a contemporary twist. Each story in the series highlights a myth, superstition, or ghost story from an Asian country, set in a modern world. Ordinary characters must rise to extraordinary challenges…or risk losing the ones they love.
- GenresMiddle Grade
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
20 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 19, 2022
A refreshing middle-grade adventure filled with mystery and superstition in a vibrant India. My senses tingled with spicy smells and tastes, while I followed my new favorite heroes, Avi and Lalita. The twelve-year-old friends bravely face injustices together while trying to uncover the truth behind strange events that may or may not be natural... I'll be on the lookout for more Eerie Tales from the East from this author!
December 2, 2021
Fantastic creepy adventure for middle-grade readers. Avi's plight of being dropped off with an estranged and out-of-touch grandparent with no Wi-Fi is all too sympathetic, and the author really brought the setting in rural India to life.
Between the death and destruction prophecies, exile to a crumbling old "mansion," getting locked in the attic, and various brushes with death, it has some strong neo-gothic vibes. Eastern Gothic? Asian Gothic? Anyway, I really liked that it delivered on its paranormal promise (no "Scooby-doo" ending) and has some eerie moments without getting hide-under-the-covers scary.
Amidst the adventure and shiver-inducing thrills, there's also a lot of heart. Multigenerational family challenges with estranged and economically insecure elders bump up against bullying, fraud, exploitation and abuse of leadership, as well as racism/classism based on the lingering remnants of the caste system in rural areas.
Great, action-packed light horror/spooky paranormal fantasy for boys and girls at middle elementary and up, with crossover potential to YA. I'd be comfortable giving this to an eight-year-old, or even a precocious seven. Definitely going to be adding this to my reading list for upper elementary and middle school workshops. Can't wait for more!
Between the death and destruction prophecies, exile to a crumbling old "mansion," getting locked in the attic, and various brushes with death, it has some strong neo-gothic vibes. Eastern Gothic? Asian Gothic? Anyway, I really liked that it delivered on its paranormal promise (no "Scooby-doo" ending) and has some eerie moments without getting hide-under-the-covers scary.
Amidst the adventure and shiver-inducing thrills, there's also a lot of heart. Multigenerational family challenges with estranged and economically insecure elders bump up against bullying, fraud, exploitation and abuse of leadership, as well as racism/classism based on the lingering remnants of the caste system in rural areas.
Great, action-packed light horror/spooky paranormal fantasy for boys and girls at middle elementary and up, with crossover potential to YA. I'd be comfortable giving this to an eight-year-old, or even a precocious seven. Definitely going to be adding this to my reading list for upper elementary and middle school workshops. Can't wait for more!
November 12, 2021
Mahtab Narsimhan has such a gift for transporting her readers into the worlds of her stories. I always feel like I’ve come back from an adventure after I read her books — and this latest one is no exception. A chill-inducingly fun ride, full of tension, mystery, folklore, and suspense all the way through to the end. Highly recommended!
November 14, 2021
I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was another enjoyable book by Mahtab. I loved Avi's journey to a rural part of Indian. The mystery plot keeps readers guessing, but there is also an exploration of India's caste system through what Lalita experiences in town and from those around her.
This is a book that teaches as well as entertains. Fantastic read.
This was another enjoyable book by Mahtab. I loved Avi's journey to a rural part of Indian. The mystery plot keeps readers guessing, but there is also an exploration of India's caste system through what Lalita experiences in town and from those around her.
This is a book that teaches as well as entertains. Fantastic read.
January 25, 2022
Old worlds and new collide against the tapestry of contemporary India in this exciting new Middle Grade adventure story from prolific author Mahtab Narsimhan.
Avijeet is a modern kid, used to a life of technology and comfort in his home city of Delhi. His parents are doctors, and they decide he should stay with his grandfather in a small village while they are away volunteering for a week. Avi’s grandfather – his Nana – has been lonely, they say, since his Nani died, and a week away from wifi is not going to kill him. But Avi? Is not so sure. At a visit to the village market, things start to get creepy right away when a mysterious astrologer predicts his untimely and painful death. And when mystical forces seem to turn real, and a fire threatens local residents, Avi is determined to find out exactly what is going on. Worse, his budding friendship with Lalita, a village girl, is threated by her membership within the ‘Untouchable’ caste, something he just can’t understand. Avi’s battle to separate superstition from reality and the old world from the new becomes a race against time.
The action and adventure in this story is perfectly aimed at middle grade readers. Avi’s adventures are compelling and leavened with a contemporary twist as he tries to make sense of how his modern world was shaped by traditions from the past. Like all Narsimhan’s books, the story is evocative and offers lots of fodder for discussion afterward. Recommended!
Avijeet is a modern kid, used to a life of technology and comfort in his home city of Delhi. His parents are doctors, and they decide he should stay with his grandfather in a small village while they are away volunteering for a week. Avi’s grandfather – his Nana – has been lonely, they say, since his Nani died, and a week away from wifi is not going to kill him. But Avi? Is not so sure. At a visit to the village market, things start to get creepy right away when a mysterious astrologer predicts his untimely and painful death. And when mystical forces seem to turn real, and a fire threatens local residents, Avi is determined to find out exactly what is going on. Worse, his budding friendship with Lalita, a village girl, is threated by her membership within the ‘Untouchable’ caste, something he just can’t understand. Avi’s battle to separate superstition from reality and the old world from the new becomes a race against time.
The action and adventure in this story is perfectly aimed at middle grade readers. Avi’s adventures are compelling and leavened with a contemporary twist as he tries to make sense of how his modern world was shaped by traditions from the past. Like all Narsimhan’s books, the story is evocative and offers lots of fodder for discussion afterward. Recommended!
November 14, 2021
It was my honour to read an ARC of this book, especially since I am such a fan of Mahtab Narsimhan's writing. This book combines suspense, mystery, and shadowy characters and is the perfect fit for readers who want something spooky, but not intense horror. If readers are familiar with the author's VALLEY OF THE RATS, then you will know the tone.
What I particularly loved about this book was the pace and quick escalation of stakes. When the book opens, we are already standing in line with Avi at the astrologer's tent in the remote village of Tolagunj, India—we are thrust into the action of the plot straight away. This book also highlights the social inequities of the caste system, bringing it to life through the character of Lalita. Many young readers may be shocked by the outright unfairness of this system, so THE ASTROLOGER'S PROPHECY will serve as a perspective shift. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with the students in my creative writing classes!
What I particularly loved about this book was the pace and quick escalation of stakes. When the book opens, we are already standing in line with Avi at the astrologer's tent in the remote village of Tolagunj, India—we are thrust into the action of the plot straight away. This book also highlights the social inequities of the caste system, bringing it to life through the character of Lalita. Many young readers may be shocked by the outright unfairness of this system, so THE ASTROLOGER'S PROPHECY will serve as a perspective shift. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with the students in my creative writing classes!
February 27, 2022
Mahtab keeps the reader engaged from the beginning. A curious kid stuck at grandfathers house in a village with unusual customs, and no cell coverage. He defies threats of death, questions unfair customs, and stands up for his beliefs despite the bone chilling fear he experiences. Mahtab takes us on an adventure turned mystery while introducing us to historical cultural practices that seem shocking to contempory values. Excellent read for middle grades with many places to jump in with discussion points. Love the ebook which allows the reader to look up the meaning of new words right in the text. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2022
Ancient beliefs, traditional cultural tenets mixed with deeply rooted suspersition are at extreme odds with 21st century, modern thinking as Avi reluctantly visits his grandfather in the rural wild countryside of Tolagunj, north of Dehli.
As he wanders the village, a delaying tactic in meeting up with his grandfather, Avi receives an unexpected creeptic warning from the local 'Astrologer' ... this dire warning sends chills through Avi and gives an entirely new meaning to 'astrologer'.
Resigned to staying with his grandfather for a week, Avi's boredom soon disappears after unexplained coincidences begin to develop. He teams up with a grudging ally and soon the veil between what is superstition and reality blurs!
If you dare to explore the unknown, this exciting story from Eerie Tales from the East, will captivate you until the last page!
Highly Recommended!!
As he wanders the village, a delaying tactic in meeting up with his grandfather, Avi receives an unexpected creeptic warning from the local 'Astrologer' ... this dire warning sends chills through Avi and gives an entirely new meaning to 'astrologer'.
Resigned to staying with his grandfather for a week, Avi's boredom soon disappears after unexplained coincidences begin to develop. He teams up with a grudging ally and soon the veil between what is superstition and reality blurs!
If you dare to explore the unknown, this exciting story from Eerie Tales from the East, will captivate you until the last page!
Highly Recommended!!
April 14, 2022
Up for SCBWI's 2022 Crystal Kite Award, Mahtab Narsimhan's Warned: The Astrologer's Prophecy is a gripping, action-packed adventure story with depth and heart.
Avi is angry with his parents for ripping him away from Delhi, taking him instead to his Nana's (grandfather's) estate in Tolagunj, a rural village in northern India. No phone or internet for an entire summer seems like torture to Avi, and the rotting elegance of the crumbling estate is downright spooky, especially after the village astrologer predicts Avi's certain death unless he leaves Tolagunj at once. Avi wants nothing more than to go back to Delhi and spend the summer with his friend, Lee. He hopes that the astrologer's warning will sway his parents but they abandon him at his grandfather's estate despite his protests. To Avi, the old house seems threaded with danger. He is locked into his room at night. Nana seems obsessed with the memory of his dead wife, and endlessly listens to her favourite radio station in hopes that he can somehow connect with her. Avi fears for Nana's safety at the hands of his servant, Das, whom Avi suspects is responsible for his near brush with death and a fire at his friend, Lalita's farm. Both events were prophesied by the astrologer, which seems like more than a coincidence to Avi and Lalita. Together, they decide to take a closer look at the astrologer and his possible connection to Das and find themselves embroiled in a mystery that threatens the estate, the village and most of all themselves.
Narsimhan is not only a skilled storyteller who knows how to move the action along, she also has a love of language that allows her to bring a scene or character to life in a few vivid strokes. I love this combination, especially in an action-adventure story where pacing and plot take centre stage. Avi is totally relatable, from his disgust with his parents' plans for his summer, to his growing fear of Das and his friendship with Lalita. The book explores ancient, unjust beliefs about social caste and forces Avi to confront his own privilege. Instead of retreating into guilt, he addresses both injustice and privilege head on. Brave! Power and privilege are turned on their heads in an inventive ending that makes the injustice of social caste clear in a way that's not preachy, but true to the story itself. The wrap-up is a bit too neat for all the wrongdoing that has been committed throughout the story.
An Author's Note discusses the history of the caste system and provides a list of further reading.
I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Avi is angry with his parents for ripping him away from Delhi, taking him instead to his Nana's (grandfather's) estate in Tolagunj, a rural village in northern India. No phone or internet for an entire summer seems like torture to Avi, and the rotting elegance of the crumbling estate is downright spooky, especially after the village astrologer predicts Avi's certain death unless he leaves Tolagunj at once. Avi wants nothing more than to go back to Delhi and spend the summer with his friend, Lee. He hopes that the astrologer's warning will sway his parents but they abandon him at his grandfather's estate despite his protests. To Avi, the old house seems threaded with danger. He is locked into his room at night. Nana seems obsessed with the memory of his dead wife, and endlessly listens to her favourite radio station in hopes that he can somehow connect with her. Avi fears for Nana's safety at the hands of his servant, Das, whom Avi suspects is responsible for his near brush with death and a fire at his friend, Lalita's farm. Both events were prophesied by the astrologer, which seems like more than a coincidence to Avi and Lalita. Together, they decide to take a closer look at the astrologer and his possible connection to Das and find themselves embroiled in a mystery that threatens the estate, the village and most of all themselves.
Narsimhan is not only a skilled storyteller who knows how to move the action along, she also has a love of language that allows her to bring a scene or character to life in a few vivid strokes. I love this combination, especially in an action-adventure story where pacing and plot take centre stage. Avi is totally relatable, from his disgust with his parents' plans for his summer, to his growing fear of Das and his friendship with Lalita. The book explores ancient, unjust beliefs about social caste and forces Avi to confront his own privilege. Instead of retreating into guilt, he addresses both injustice and privilege head on. Brave! Power and privilege are turned on their heads in an inventive ending that makes the injustice of social caste clear in a way that's not preachy, but true to the story itself. The wrap-up is a bit too neat for all the wrongdoing that has been committed throughout the story.
An Author's Note discusses the history of the caste system and provides a list of further reading.
I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2021
I don't typically read children's books but I took a workshop from Mahtab Narsimhan this past year and was curious about her writing style. I was impressed by her ability to keep me engaged chapter after chapter.
Avi, a young boy with an allergy to wasps, encounters an astrologer who tells him "I see grave danger in your aura." And so the suspense begins. What will happen to Avi? Is the astrologer right? Following this opening, we find Avi in one danger after the other. What he believes to be true is challenged every step of the way. What I found particularly intriguing was a look into Indian culture, particularly the smells, food, and its caste system. Highly recommended.
Avi, a young boy with an allergy to wasps, encounters an astrologer who tells him "I see grave danger in your aura." And so the suspense begins. What will happen to Avi? Is the astrologer right? Following this opening, we find Avi in one danger after the other. What he believes to be true is challenged every step of the way. What I found particularly intriguing was a look into Indian culture, particularly the smells, food, and its caste system. Highly recommended.
November 13, 2021
I had the privilege of reading this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review. The plot will have you diving into this story as Avi tries to come to terms with a prediction of his death. Thinking it as just nonsense, until another prediction comes true, Avi pursues a mission to find the truth. Meeting a town local, Lalita, who is from a very low caste, adds to the intrigue. What they discover, and the danger it puts them in will keep you spellbound as the mystery deepens. Be prepared to read cover to cover as Avi uncovers the most interesting answers
November 14, 2021
I liked the Aru Shah series by Roshani Chowkshi and I loved this one as well!
The story was fast-paced and intriguing! The characters were great!
At the beginning of the story, I kind of felt bad for Avi, because he was stuck in a village away from his friend and all. But then, then the astrologer barged in and I was like, let's be selfish and not feel bad for Avi because he is about to go on an adventure!
Does that even make sense? I think not.
But anyway, the book is great! Highly recommended!
**I received an e-arc from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review**
The story was fast-paced and intriguing! The characters were great!
At the beginning of the story, I kind of felt bad for Avi, because he was stuck in a village away from his friend and all. But then, then the astrologer barged in and I was like, let's be selfish and not feel bad for Avi because he is about to go on an adventure!
Does that even make sense? I think not.
But anyway, the book is great! Highly recommended!
**I received an e-arc from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review**
January 31, 2022
"Warned" is an exciting, page-turning tale of mystery, steeped in the superstitions, traditions and myths of India.
When Avi is left with his grandfather, he is forced to leave the comforts of city life behind. Without cell phone reception and his best friend, he is forced into an unknown resourcefulness when an astrologer predicts Avi's death. Avi finds unusual allies as he sets out to debunk the prophecies that plague the village.
Mahtab Narsimhan serves a sensuous smorgasbord of delight. Page after page, the reader tastes the food, smells the atmosphere, hears Avi's growing determination, and feels the fear through every twist and turn.
Don't miss this great read!
When Avi is left with his grandfather, he is forced to leave the comforts of city life behind. Without cell phone reception and his best friend, he is forced into an unknown resourcefulness when an astrologer predicts Avi's death. Avi finds unusual allies as he sets out to debunk the prophecies that plague the village.
Mahtab Narsimhan serves a sensuous smorgasbord of delight. Page after page, the reader tastes the food, smells the atmosphere, hears Avi's growing determination, and feels the fear through every twist and turn.
Don't miss this great read!
November 16, 2021
A chilling, suspenseful story that will pull you in and keep you reading. First in a series of eerie Asian tales, Mahtab Narsimhan is not afraid to tackle the inequities of the caste system in a remote village in Indian. Fast-paced with high stakes, this spooky read is a spellbinding mystery to the last page.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2021
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review. WARNED is fast-paced and a good read for readers who enjoy fantasy, a fascinating setting and an authentic voice.
December 28, 2021
What I enjoyed: The mystery, and strong message about the lack of civility in the caste system, how the “untouchables” are treated.
I gotta say I didn't love the ending, but it _was_ a total surprise, and I was sad to see who the villain turned out to be. I didn't suspect it though, so it got me. I'll recommend this book to my kids.
I gotta say I didn't love the ending, but it _was_ a total surprise, and I was sad to see who the villain turned out to be. I didn't suspect it though, so it got me. I'll recommend this book to my kids.
January 13, 2022
I loved reading this exciting adventure. Who locked Avi into the attic? Will the scary predictions come true? Can he trust his new friend? Set in an exotic environment, the atmosphere of colours, scents and sounds of India shines through this page turner. A great new read for middle schoolers.
November 11, 2021
Tightly plotted, fast-paced middle grade adventure that will have you racing through the pages to the dramatic denouement!
January 19, 2022
Loved this book on so many levels!
My usual reading fare is mystery, suspense and thrillers—for adults. However, after receiving a free copy of WARNED, a mid-grade children's book by Mahtab Narsimhan, I was totally drawn into the story in the first chapter. There is definitely a spooky mystery around the main character, Avi, a young boy in India who is left to fend for himself with a grandfather he hardly knows and the town's astrologer, who gives him Avi dire warning. The characters are so well developed, and the story kept me guessing until the end—with an unexpected twist.
Trying to put myself in the shoes of a young reader, I could see they'd easily get caught up in the story while learning some important life lessons (specifically India's caste system, Untouchables, and kindness). All without being preachy. If you have a young reader in your life, I highly recommend this charming story. I look forward to the next book in the series!
My usual reading fare is mystery, suspense and thrillers—for adults. However, after receiving a free copy of WARNED, a mid-grade children's book by Mahtab Narsimhan, I was totally drawn into the story in the first chapter. There is definitely a spooky mystery around the main character, Avi, a young boy in India who is left to fend for himself with a grandfather he hardly knows and the town's astrologer, who gives him Avi dire warning. The characters are so well developed, and the story kept me guessing until the end—with an unexpected twist.
Trying to put myself in the shoes of a young reader, I could see they'd easily get caught up in the story while learning some important life lessons (specifically India's caste system, Untouchables, and kindness). All without being preachy. If you have a young reader in your life, I highly recommend this charming story. I look forward to the next book in the series!
January 3, 2022
I received an ARC of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The Astrologer's Prophecy takes us on an eerie adventure into India with all the smells, sights, and sounds to go with it. Mahtab makes you feel like you are there tasting the Gulab Jamun, and getting slimy with mud with the main character, Avi. So much packed in to this story that will keep you reading and on your toes. A great middle grade read, highly recommend!
The Astrologer's Prophecy takes us on an eerie adventure into India with all the smells, sights, and sounds to go with it. Mahtab makes you feel like you are there tasting the Gulab Jamun, and getting slimy with mud with the main character, Avi. So much packed in to this story that will keep you reading and on your toes. A great middle grade read, highly recommend!
February 21, 2022
Twelve-year-old Avi is not excited about having to spend a week by himself with his Nana in the small and antiquated town of Tolagunj, especially since they have had little interaction up to this point in his life. Having grown up in the city, Avi has rarely experienced life in a village, and there are many thoughts and traditions that feel foreign to him when he arrives. A mysterious astrologer has attracted the attention of the villagers, providing plentiful and ominous predictions that have an uncomfortable tendency of coming true. But Avi knows deep down that something is wrong, especially when his own prediction threatens his life and he is relegated to the inside of his room for his own safety. With no outside help and ongoing danger from his Nana’s assistant Das, it is up to Avi and his new friend Lalita to get to the bottom of what is really going on before it is too late.
This story takes place in a small Indian village, and the sights, sounds, and beliefs of those living in similar places are woven into this tale. Cows roam the streets, the smells of curry and mangoes fill the air, and the ingrained hierarchy of the caste system demarcates people’s positions in society. Avi has much to learn about the place his Nani calls home; Avi makes many mistakes when he assumes things to be true, especially in his attempts to help when he does not fully understand the situation he is in. Through this, readers from around the world will learn alongside Avi and come to better understand what life can be like for people living in rural Indian communities.
At the heart of this short novel is a mystery that is intensified by the high stakes it involves. With elements of the paranormal interspersed throughout, this story incorporates many layers that are sure to engage middle grade readers. Short chapters and a clear and unobstructed plot line make this book particularly well suited to newly independent readers who are becoming more comfortable with the genre. The first in its series, Warned is an engaging and compelling mystery that will connect with young readers while inviting them to seek answers alongside Avi and Lalita. This is an enjoyable addition to libraries for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.
This story takes place in a small Indian village, and the sights, sounds, and beliefs of those living in similar places are woven into this tale. Cows roam the streets, the smells of curry and mangoes fill the air, and the ingrained hierarchy of the caste system demarcates people’s positions in society. Avi has much to learn about the place his Nani calls home; Avi makes many mistakes when he assumes things to be true, especially in his attempts to help when he does not fully understand the situation he is in. Through this, readers from around the world will learn alongside Avi and come to better understand what life can be like for people living in rural Indian communities.
At the heart of this short novel is a mystery that is intensified by the high stakes it involves. With elements of the paranormal interspersed throughout, this story incorporates many layers that are sure to engage middle grade readers. Short chapters and a clear and unobstructed plot line make this book particularly well suited to newly independent readers who are becoming more comfortable with the genre. The first in its series, Warned is an engaging and compelling mystery that will connect with young readers while inviting them to seek answers alongside Avi and Lalita. This is an enjoyable addition to libraries for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.
October 24, 2022
Avi has to spend his vacation with his grandfather, whom he has no connection; in a village bound to old-fashioned hierarchy and superstitions. Avi would rather spend his time off school with his best friend Lee in Delhi, but his mother is determined he keep Nana company because ever since Nani's death, they are all the family he has left. But not just Avi would rather be somewhere else; it seems like the village does not want him there either. On the first day, an Astrologer predicts his death if he does not leave right now. Can Avi escape his destiny, or is all this just a superstitious humbug?
I expected more spook in this story, but it felt more like a detective book than an eerie tale. Only the last two chapters showed me something supernatural, but I do not know if that is enough.
I found it interesting to read about the caste system in India and the misery that comes with it but other than that, it did not give me a particular thrill.
I recommend Warned: The Astrologer’s Prophecy to middle-graders just starting on their whodunnit adventure.
I expected more spook in this story, but it felt more like a detective book than an eerie tale. Only the last two chapters showed me something supernatural, but I do not know if that is enough.
I found it interesting to read about the caste system in India and the misery that comes with it but other than that, it did not give me a particular thrill.
I recommend Warned: The Astrologer’s Prophecy to middle-graders just starting on their whodunnit adventure.
February 1, 2023
Avi's parents are leaving him with his nana, his grandfather, for a week while they go off to work in a hospital - a grandfather he hasn't met because his mother had a fight with him many years before and is only just now beginning to mend the relationship after the death of her mother, Avi's nani. To say Avi isn't pleased with the arrangement is an understatement. Not only does his cell phone only get a measly one bar of service while in the village, but there also is no service at his nana's haveli, and there's a strange astrologer in the village who is pronouncing doom and gloom for the many villagers.
Among other things, the astrologer predicts that Avi will die from wasp stings if he doesn't leave the village. But when Avi's "death" is prevented by Lalita, a young girl close to Avi's age who is an untouchable (the lowest caste in India), Avi begins to suspect that things are not what they seem in the village.
I loved this story. Not only did it provide a wonderful mystery with a touch of the supernatural, but it provided a great illustration of the caste system that has long existed in India. Avi's innocence of the caste system as a whole means that he says some things without realizing how bad the comments are, which provides some opportunities for learning. But his heart also means that even when some of the village elders try to get him to fall into line with the caste system and how to treat those who are "untouchables," Avi immediately sees the wrongness of it and tries to do something about it. The way he treated Lalita as a human being and the way he consistently challenged the way others were treating her was beautiful to see.
I also really enjoyed Lalita's strength. She is surviving and has every right to be bitter about everyone else because of the way she is treated, but she isn't. And while she does get angry at some of the things Avi says out of ignorance, she takes the time to educate him about the situation - sometimes forcefully - and continues to help him even though she knows what punishment would be in store for her. I definitely liked the end, as a result, and my only real complaint about this book is that I didn't get to see more of Lalita and what happens as a result of the ending.
As a final note, I think this book is a wonderful opportunity for parents to have conversations with their children about how people deserve to be treated and how oppression still exists in many places in this world. Some oppression is easily seen - as in the caste system illustrated in this book - and some is more hidden, but talking about it can help children learn to identify it and, like Avi and Lalita, fight back against it.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Narsimhan, and I have already bought the other two books of this trilogy.
Among other things, the astrologer predicts that Avi will die from wasp stings if he doesn't leave the village. But when Avi's "death" is prevented by Lalita, a young girl close to Avi's age who is an untouchable (the lowest caste in India), Avi begins to suspect that things are not what they seem in the village.
I loved this story. Not only did it provide a wonderful mystery with a touch of the supernatural, but it provided a great illustration of the caste system that has long existed in India. Avi's innocence of the caste system as a whole means that he says some things without realizing how bad the comments are, which provides some opportunities for learning. But his heart also means that even when some of the village elders try to get him to fall into line with the caste system and how to treat those who are "untouchables," Avi immediately sees the wrongness of it and tries to do something about it. The way he treated Lalita as a human being and the way he consistently challenged the way others were treating her was beautiful to see.
I also really enjoyed Lalita's strength. She is surviving and has every right to be bitter about everyone else because of the way she is treated, but she isn't. And while she does get angry at some of the things Avi says out of ignorance, she takes the time to educate him about the situation - sometimes forcefully - and continues to help him even though she knows what punishment would be in store for her. I definitely liked the end, as a result, and my only real complaint about this book is that I didn't get to see more of Lalita and what happens as a result of the ending.
As a final note, I think this book is a wonderful opportunity for parents to have conversations with their children about how people deserve to be treated and how oppression still exists in many places in this world. Some oppression is easily seen - as in the caste system illustrated in this book - and some is more hidden, but talking about it can help children learn to identify it and, like Avi and Lalita, fight back against it.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Narsimhan, and I have already bought the other two books of this trilogy.
December 13, 2022
Set in rural india, where the old traditions still holds sway, a city boy faces a creepy fortune teller who predicts his death. When other dire predictions come true, the boy teams up with an "untouchable" girl, to unravel the mysteries that plague this small town.
This is an exciting and adventurous read. It is just the right amount of creepy, without being too scary for young audiences. I loved the exotic (to me) setting and the characters. A spooky good read!
This is an exciting and adventurous read. It is just the right amount of creepy, without being too scary for young audiences. I loved the exotic (to me) setting and the characters. A spooky good read!
August 10, 2022
Great Little Read
Lots of stuff about village life in rural India here. Plenty of fun characters too. An entertaining and quick read.
The only complaint I have is that some of the adults in the story would have had to be pretty dense not to figure out what was going on.
Also, who left the chicken at the door? 🐔
Lots of stuff about village life in rural India here. Plenty of fun characters too. An entertaining and quick read.
The only complaint I have is that some of the adults in the story would have had to be pretty dense not to figure out what was going on.
Also, who left the chicken at the door? 🐔
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