Asha & the Spirit Bird

Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2019Winner of the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition2017Shortlisted for the WaterstonesChildren's Book Prize 2020Longlistedfor the Jhalak Prize 2019Chosen as one ofthe Guardian's Best Books of 2019'This book is such a light-filled, huge-hearted delight ofan adventure.' KATHERINE RUNDELL'An evocative debut novel ... satisfyingly classic in feel'GUARDIAN'A heartfelt and mystical children's adventure story.'TELEGRAPHAsha lives in the foothills of the Himalayas. Money is tight andshe misses her papa who works in the city. When he suddenly stopssending his wages, a ruthless moneylender ransacks their homeand her mother talks of leaving.From her den in the mango tree, Asha makes a pact with her bestfriend, Jeevan, to find her father and make things right. But thejourney is dangerous: they must cross the world's highest mountainsand face hunger, tiredness – even snow leopards.And yet, Asha has the unshakeable sense that the spirit bird ofher 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 whilecapturing the wild, rich heart of contemporary India.