Tamarind never knew her Indian mum, Chinty, who died soon after she was born. So when she arrives at her ancestral home, a huge mansion in the Himalayas surrounded by luxuriant gardens, she's full of questions for her extended family. But instead of answers, she finds an ominous silence - and a trickle of intriguing clues: an abandoned hut, a friendly monkey, a glowing star ring, and a strange girl in the garden who calls herself Ishta. Slowly, Tamarind unravels a mystery at the heart of who she is ...
Tamarind And The Star Of Ishta, Jasbinder's 2nd novel is a magical realist adventure which follows 11 year old Tamarind as she journeys from Bristol to her grand family home in the Himalaya for the first time. Once there she begins to uncover the secrets surrounding her mother’s death when Tamarind was a baby. She discovers a magical garden and befriends a mysterious mountain girl and her golden monkey, Hanu. When her annoying older cousin Sufia, goes missing during a dangerous monsoon storm, Tamarind must fight to save her from wild Himalayan wolves. And it’s Tamarind who finally heals the long family feud. It’s a story of coming to terms with grief and believing in the power of the imagination to heal.
Praise for Tamarind & The Star of Ishta:
‘A powerful story of loss and identity, home and family is woven into a thrilling adventure. A hugely talented rising star of children’s books.’
The Bookseller, Children’s Book Of The Month
‘Beautifully written, richly atmospheric and touchingly spiritual, this brief novel sparkles like a polished gem.’
Daily Mail
‘Atmospheric, dreamy, charged with wonder and menace, loss, sorrow and delight, it’s reminiscent at times of Tom’s Midnight Garden, refitted with an Indian setting and heroine and a captivating ghost.’
TLS
‘An unforgettable adventure, infused with magical realism.’
Bookseller Buyer’s Guide
‘I absolutely adored it … an achingly beautiful story’
Sita Brahmachari
‘Bilan marries classic assurance to contemporary sensibility with a lush, gorgeous setting in a novel as vivid and original as her Costa-winning debut.’
Guardian
‘This is a glorious story of family and friendship, at once mysterious but always touching.’
Irish Examiner
‘I don’t think there are many words that can correctly sum up how beautiful this little book is’
That Book Gal
‘If you loved Asha & the Spirit Bird, buy, borrow and read this now, you won’t be disappointed.’
Children’s Book Sequels
‘This second book from award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan is full of magic and mystery.’
The Week Junior
Tamarind And The Star Of Ishta, Jasbinder's 2nd novel is a magical realist adventure which follows 11 year old Tamarind as she journeys from Bristol to her grand family home in the Himalaya for the first time. Once there she begins to uncover the secrets surrounding her mother’s death when Tamarind was a baby. She discovers a magical garden and befriends a mysterious mountain girl and her golden monkey, Hanu. When her annoying older cousin Sufia, goes missing during a dangerous monsoon storm, Tamarind must fight to save her from wild Himalayan wolves. And it’s Tamarind who finally heals the long family feud. It’s a story of coming to terms with grief and believing in the power of the imagination to heal.
Praise for Tamarind & The Star of Ishta:
‘A powerful story of loss and identity, home and family is woven into a thrilling adventure. A hugely talented rising star of children’s books.’
The Bookseller, Children’s Book Of The Month
‘Beautifully written, richly atmospheric and touchingly spiritual, this brief novel sparkles like a polished gem.’
Daily Mail
‘Atmospheric, dreamy, charged with wonder and menace, loss, sorrow and delight, it’s reminiscent at times of Tom’s Midnight Garden, refitted with an Indian setting and heroine and a captivating ghost.’
TLS
‘An unforgettable adventure, infused with magical realism.’
Bookseller Buyer’s Guide
‘I absolutely adored it … an achingly beautiful story’
Sita Brahmachari
‘Bilan marries classic assurance to contemporary sensibility with a lush, gorgeous setting in a novel as vivid and original as her Costa-winning debut.’
Guardian
‘This is a glorious story of family and friendship, at once mysterious but always touching.’
Irish Examiner
‘I don’t think there are many words that can correctly sum up how beautiful this little book is’
That Book Gal
‘If you loved Asha & the Spirit Bird, buy, borrow and read this now, you won’t be disappointed.’
Children’s Book Sequels
‘This second book from award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan is full of magic and mystery.’
The Week Junior