“That’s all? You mean to tell me that school will now cost us money? Out of the question! You should stop these dreams now,” he said angrily. No girl from Jamuna’s community had ever studied beyond Class 4. But she has other plans: she wants to go to college! As she grows, however, the possibility of being forced to drop out of school looms above her. Jamuna certainly has it in her to fight all odds, but will circumstances relent? Priti David plots the tough journey of a young girl who can never be sure of her future, yet won’t give up. this story is for the age group 10-15 years and is in partnership with People's Archive of Rural India.

Can you protect Versova from its fate? From the vortex on its way to the village? Karuna was scared. Her father, who had left to go fishing early that morning, was unusually late. She was unable to shake off the ominous feeling that the pillage of the previous storm had seared into her psyche. Friends and a cousin join Karuna as she embarks on a treacherous journey in search of her father where they learn the lore of their people, overcome personal fears, and are collectively forced to come face-to-face with the ravages of climate change. Subuhi Jiwani brings to light the story of a defiant girl from the fishing community of Versova who pledges to rescue her village from impending doom. 10-15 years. story from people's archive of rural India

…stone buildings seemed to rise out of a largely garden-like environment, and in the distance were the towering ghats. Snehagao was…beautiful… A new school, a strange new language, and an oddly cheerful roommate – Krishnan doesn’t know what to make of it all. He’s here after losing his only parent to HIV, and finding out that he has it too. Angry at having been made to leave the only home he’s ever known, Krishnan is desperate and homesick. He soon has to make way for new feelings, though – the exhilaration of bolting up and down the school’s running track, and the delicious thrill of competing with his best friend for the post of Prime Minister in the school parliament. Vishaka George’s uplifting story about a brave teenager and his lovable group of friends is inspired by real events, and is proof that wonderful things sneak up on you when you least expect them.

Coming Home is a story set in a beautiful valley where a small community of farmers and their families live and work. Over the years, many of the young people have begun to migrate to earn a living. Everyone wishes there was a way in which these young people could stay back and earn a living right here. It’s a young boy, Selva, who has an idea which could do just that. But will it take shape and will it bring his older brother home? Read the book to find out just how a small idea can lead to big changes. Written by Priti David, this is a story about migration and home, seen from the eyes of 11-year-old Selva. age 10- 15 years

All Kali wanted to do was dance. But how could he. After all, in his village, boys did not dance, especially not Bharatanatyam. A story about aspiration and believing in dreams.Written by Aparna Karthikeyan and Illustrated by Somesh Kumar.

“I’ve been calling you nonstop. Some actor shared our post about your grandmother last night and it’s gone viral now. It’s being forwarded, retweeted, and even being picked up by other publications. Now get up, call your Paati, and sit her down with your laptop!” In the next few minutes, my world as I knew it changed forever. Dhruv is as upset as his grandmother is to discover that her beloved camera, containing all her memories, has been lost on her solo trip to Europe. When she returns to India, she’s given up hope on ever getting it back. But Dhruv has a brainwave, something that could get people all around the world to help him lift her spirits. What surprises await his Paati?! Prabhu Viswanathan’s simple narration brings to life the tender affection among the members of a family while reaffirming everyone’s faith in humanity. age group-10-15.age group 10-15

On Tamil Nadu’s coast lies a small town that centuries ago must have been filled with the sounds of hammering and chiselling on stone – Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. From a mammoth relief panel to cave temples and monoliths, it showcases sculptural art of astounding skill and a variety of styles rare to find in one location. The book takes us through this ‘open-air museum’ for a one-on-one ‘looking’ experience through its rich archive of 65 vivid photographs. The magnified visual details and narrative cues also throw up a sea of stories – and some riddles to be unravelled!

I can’t buy a ticket, but I need to get on this train… Chandrasekhar waits for a job and dreams of being back home with a classmate he’s in love with. Aruna had lost a slipper, and it was her only pair. Balu wishes he could trade his jackhammer for a poetry book. Sadia and her son are sleeping beside their handmade dolls, wondering what the future holds. Anjanamma makes up a story to soothe the relentless sting of mosquitoes. Nagaraju sightlessly navigates the chaos of a train station and puts out a plea to the universe. Subuhi Jiwani traces six uncertain journeys from Andhra Pradesh to Kochi, where migrants were in search of work, survival, and belonging.

Duster the dog is more of a cat. He loves the naps, the flaps, and the fish. And he doesn't like to announce arrivals, to play fetch, and to dig for bones. Especially, certainly, not the bones. His human craves dog love. Will the two ever be right for each other? Richa Jha narrates with brevity and humour a tiny, universal tale of love and companionship (and expectations) that is sure to strike a chord with the readers. Neeti Banerji's endearing frames are chocked full of details with Easter eggs and parallel threads to add to the re-readability of the story. The minimal palette and simple character shapes - Duster is essentially an oblong with legs - work with the highly detailed line-art to engage and not overwhelm.

The devas are at the gates of the asura kingdom, raring to wage war. But the asuras turn up unarmed and jolly! Is their king, Hasyasura, up to something? Does he have a secret weapon? Indra, king of the gods, is suspicious. Narada sends Hasya sura, the teen deva, as spy from the sky to uncover the plans of his almost-namesake down under. There, in the hurly-burly of Patala politics he meets more than his match in Princess Shantaswaroopa who has ideas of her own to resolve the eternal enmity between suras and asuras! A laugh out loud story that makes a pitch for sporting wars.

Rhea and Dia are inseparable soulmates. But when Isha moves in next door, their friendship goes through trying times. Will Rhea, Dia and Isha become three best pals? And who is that boy always lurking in the background? Richa Jha weaves a clever, believable story of the typical joys, thrills, conflicts, jealousies, patch ups and all the bitter sweet stuff friendships are made of. Alicia Souza's feisty and utterly playful artwork and hand-etched letterings add a charming quirkiness to this delightful story.

Zai’s uncle is the famous 'birdman of India' Salim Ali, everyone in her family is a birding expert, and she herself can’t so much as identify the pipit sitting right under her nose. In this delightful portrait of childhood, Zai Whitaker recounts her early birding woes and how she winged it. Prabha Mallya’s pictures pick up the humour, and are an arresting collage of a bird-filled Bombay of the past, and a troubled little girl with a ‘superstar’ uncle!

The very first words Zakir hears from his famous father, Allarakha, are bols — rhythms played out on tablas! From then on, bols sing and dance in his head, on Amma’s cheeks, on the pots and pans in the kitchen… Sandhya Rao follows these beats, stringing together little vignettes from his life. From a childhood around music to the highs of a performer who took the tabla to the world, this joyous story introduces children to a musical genius, whose busy fingers and flying curls make him the inimitable Zakir Hussain. Illustrator Priya Kuriyan’s fingers add their own magic.

When Fakruddin worries, he gets frantic. And Frantic Fakru is now worried because his fridge is spoilt, the day is hot, and he is desperate for cold water. What does he do? A light-hearted story with a smart idea and cheerful watercolour illustrations which bring alive the ambience of Fakru's neighbourhood in Bhopal.

What does it take for a person to alter the course of a nation? Spotlighting 25 such change-making individuals, the book looks at the times in which they lived, the challenges they dealt with, and the paths they forged. Quick introductions position personalities as game changers, chatty stories sketch their profiles, crisp timelines fill in the gaps, insightful quotations balance perspectives, and creative collages present visual montages. What emerges is the powerful journey of a country at the threshold of change, committed to charting its own course, helmed by its richest resource – its people. Age 10+

“Let’s play house-house!” decide Sunehri and her friends. So they put together some old plates and bowls, empty packets of chips, plastic bottles, a broken helmet… things they’ve collected going about their work in the city on whose streets they live. The game loved by children everywhere takes on a poignant layer when played by those who have never known a home¬. Pictures full of exuberance and detail bring out their spontaneous joy in a make-believe world, which trips side by side with the harsh reality of their lives.

On a visit to Prague, the naughty granddaughter of Princess Libusha casts a spell on Monkeyji. And the only one who can help is Shemeek, the sleeping white horse of Wysherad. But to reach him Aditi and her gang must first deal with a rude sparrow and a dragon who wants to fight. A popular Czech legend is woven into this unusual adventure. Can a problem also become a solution? In a contest, does someone always win?

Aadya looks just like her mother (Aai) same little nose, same delicate ears, same big eyes and identical thick, long hair. But one day, Aai goes away to a big hospital with a promise to return before she learns her next Math lesson. The long-awaited return shocks Aadya because her mother now looks entirely unlike her. She wonders if Aai will ever greet her with her usual cheery, "Hello! Mini-me." Or will She have to take matters into her own hands to hear that again? With lyrical prose and a tender touch, Aai and I is an empowering story about the bond between a mother and a daughter and of the little one finding her own identity as she no longer 'looks' the same as her mother. Mamta Nainy captures Elan Aadya's innocence, impatience, and dilemma, and Sanket Pethkar's vibrant, gorgeous artwork brings to life the nuanced see-saw of the child's emotions in this Maharashtrian household.

Powerful pictures run a visual narrative in this story about a young boy named by his mother after her favourite movie star’s super-flop film – Sura! Sura grows up selling stickers at the Velankanni Church, climbing tall palms and playing under the tamarind tree. Until the day his grandfather arrives. His Thatha is different – a boom boom maatukaarar who travels through towns with his bull and drums, telling people their fortunes. His is a dying breed. A robust coming-of-age story that weaves together real life stories told by the children of nomadic communities.

Looking for a Deep Rose that may make Aditi’s grandmother feel better, the adventurers go to the coast of Devon in England. There they meet the little boy Grendel who lives under the sea, prowls around at night scaring others, can’t remember anything and doesn’t care about it. Re-casting ‘monster’ characters from the Beowulf story, the author wonders if what we see depends on how we see it. Do stories make you look at things differently? Could you be you today, if you didn’t remember who you were yesterday?