History, Humour and Animal Rights | Book Review by Ayaan Gupta from Grade 3

Uncle Nehru, Please Send an Elephant! is a book written by Devika Cariapa and illustrated by Satvik Gade. This is a very interesting book. In this book, the author has tried to teach us a part of our real Indian history by narrating a series of real-life events which took place immediately after independence. In […]
“VAmazing” | Book Review by Riya Bopanna from Grade 7

When the World Went Dark by Jane De Suza, shortlisted for the Neev Book Award 2022 in the Junior Readers category is a heartfelt novel that explores the feeling of loss from the perspective of a lively nine year-old girl. Swara is not happy. Her country is in lockdown and she can’t even step out […]
Comprehending Suffering: Young Readers Review ‘Jamlo Walks’ and ‘Wounds’

The Neev Book Award 2022 shortlist puts the spotlight on Indian lives. A lived reality numerous young readers picked up on while reading the shortlisted books are the tales of suffering, pain, and systemic inequalities. They speak to readers regardless of how old they are. Two students from Neev Academy, one from Grade 4 and […]
Many Places, Same Story: Young Readers Review That Night

That Night, a picture book by Bijal Vachharajani shortlisted for the Neev Book Award 2022 in the Emerging Readers category, speaks to readers of all ages. Be they seven or seventeen, this poignant tale has moved plenty of young children. Here are two student voices. Grade 10 student Noyonika Arun writes: The book That Night […]
The Beauty in Eternal Memory | Book Review by Aida Sandy Shree from Grade 10

Paati’s Rasam is a picture book, written by the mother-daughter duo Janaki Sabesh and Dhwani Sabesh, and illustrated by Pallavi Jain. It follows the story of Malli, a little girl who loves her grandmother, and explores the transitory nature of life, and the impact it leaves behind. Through emotive language, and relatable references, this book […]
What Would You Do If Elephants Ruined Your Backyard? | Book Review by Neyamukil from Grade 3

What would you do, if elephants came and ruined your backyard? That is what happens to a girl called Bumoni in the story Bumoni’s Banana Trees. First, what is this story about? It is about a girl called Bumoni who lives in Assam. Her house has a BIG backyard FULL of banana trees. She lives […]
The Magical World of Pictures and Stories: In Conversation with Thomas Taylor

Having begun his career as an illustrator whose debut project was the cover art for the immensely popular Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Thomas Taylor showcased his writing prowess through his first novel Malamander. Malamander, the first book in the The Eerie-on-Sea Mysteries, was an instant hit with kids, parents, teachers and librarians who […]
Engaging Deeply with Books

The NLF Reading Challenge 2022 brought together 10 to 13-year-old book lovers from around the country in a bid to not only get them to read more, but also to read better. Through author sessions, writing prompts and book discussions led by reading guides who oversee children’s reading, we hope to encourage children to read […]
Readers Review When We Got Lost in Dreamland

We invited young readers to share their thoughts on the books they liked the most from the NLF Reading Challenge 2022 list. Here is what two book lovers from Grade 4 had to say about Ross Welford’s latest book When We Got Lost in Dreamland. Weda Ganesh from Neev Academy, Bengaluru writes: “When We Got […]