THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILES (ARTHUR C. DOYLE)

 

Sherlock Holmes lounges in his seat at 221B Baker Street, racking his brains over yet another perplexing case. How will he save Sir Henry, the last of the Baskervilles, from the curse of the hounds of the Baskervilles, which is believed to be the cause of the death of Sir Charles, the former resident of Baskerville Manor?

This case might well be, as Sherlock Holmes remarks to Watson many times, ‘the toughest case he has ever had,’ and that ‘he may have finally found a villain worthy of his steel.’ This book is still giving me the shivers as I am writing this review. This book is quite scary, so I recommend younger children to first read Satyajit Ray’s ‘Feluda’ and then turn over to Sherlock Holmes.

I recommend this book to children of ages 12+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★☆

By Arhant

RUNNING WILD (MICHAEL MORPURGO)

 RUNNING WILD

By Michael Morpurgo

Will and his mother have never left their melancholy faces ever since that terrible afternoon in which they got the terrible news of Will’s father’s death due to war. His mother was native of Indonesia, even though she had never lived there. Will’s grandmother decided to give them a present of a trip to Indonesia, to calm them down. There, when Will was taking a ride on an elephant, a terrible tsunami occurred, in which almost everybody at the beach had died.

The elephant, whose name was Oona, had managed to run away with Will on her back to the safety of the jungle, where the tsunami could not get them. Will was now officially an orphan. This story tells the tale of Will, and his adventures in the jungle, with Oona by his side, to protect him from passing tigers and dangers in the jungle.

This book is interesting, and it is based at the time of the World War 2. The story is very probable in actual life. in other words, it is a Historical Fiction. It provides good tips on survival, and if you too are one day stuck in the middle of the forest, you too might be able to make use of the information provided.

This book also contains lots of information on the behavior of various kinds of animals, like the Elephant, tiger, orangutan, and chimpanzees. A lot of the above tend to not want to tackle an elephant, or other humongous animals.

I recommend this book to children of ages 9+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★☆

By Arhant

GREAT EXPECTATIONS (CHARLES DICKENS)

This book describes the story of an orphan, Pip who lives with his elder sister and her husband who was a blacksmith. On Christmas day at the graveyard, while looking at his parent’s grave, he is confronted by a person believed to be a criminal. Pip helped the man that day and the man never forgot him. The next part of the story shows Pip falling in love and gaining access to a humongous fortune, but with a few conditions. He would not know the person who was giving him the fortune until that person decided to reveal it. Pip was happy with these conditions.

But there are many mysteries or gaping holes in the plan. Who was the other conflict he had seen on the graveyard that day? Why did he always feel so bad? All these questions and many more will continue to arise as you read the book. So, haste thee, before it is too late…

I recommend this book to children of ages 11+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★☆☆

By Arhant

PANDA PANIC (JAMIE RIX)

 

Ping the panda is not like the other pandas. He longs for adventure and a life full of dangerous stunts. His long for adventure is finally fulfilled when his best friend Hui, the Grandala Bird, brings him news of a panda exchange that would occur in many different countries. Ping longs to go to a foreign country so he writes letters to each place about what they did, so he could perform those stunts and get chosen to go to a foreign land. But many things can go wrong. For one, the panda exchange might not be as he thinks it is…

This book is incredibly imaginative, for I thought that pandas are quiet creatures who like to eat bamboo and sleep all day. But this book showed me that that was not the case.

I recommend this book to children of ages 9+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★☆☆

By Arhant

THE PAINTED DRAGON (KATHERINE WOODFINE)

There is only chaos at Sinclair’s, the most famous department store in London, when a priceless painting from His Majesty’s own collection is stolen from under Scotland Yard's own nose! The Green Dragon is a priceless painting painted by Benedetto Caselli in the year 1455. Now we need a backstory. A few months ago, Leo Fitzgerald had been accepted to The Spencer, the best Art school in England, where the best artists had been trained. She has a bad leg and needs a crutch to support her while she walks. But she is a wonderful artist and can draw almost anything using only a few pencils and paper.

At the spencer she finds friends in the shape of Connie, Jack and Smitty. The famous art collector Mr. Randolph convinces Leo to paint a copy of the Green Dragon. If it was very good, he would buy it as a memory. Leo worked very hard but when Lyle saw it, he poured scorn on her painting and Leo threw it into the dustbin. On the day of the exhibition, the real Green Dragon was not there and in its place was Leo’s copy of the Green Dragon!

Now its up to the detectives Sophie and Lil, to solve the mystery and bring home the Green Dragon. This books genre is Mystery as it is super spooky and unputdownable.

I recommend it to the age group 10+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★★

By Arhant

BOY (ROALD DAHL)

 

This autobiography of Roald Dahl is a wonderful book about which I heard many a time but never got the chance to read. It describes Mr. Dahl’s life {He is one of my Favorite authors, second only to Rick Riordan} from birth to the age of 19. His father, Harold Dahl had, due to an unfortunate accident, only 1 arm. The loss of an arm did not stop him from becoming very successful in life. The rest of the book follows the path of Roald Dahl as he is born, up to the time when he graduates and gets his first job.

This book portrays life in a boarding school to me, since I have never been in one myself. It is incredibly written, sprinkled with hilarious anecdotes of his life at school.

 recommend this book to children of ages 9+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★☆

By Arhant

MY DAD'S GOT AN ALLIGATOR (JEREMY STRONG)

 

 

 The world is falling on the top of Nicholas’ head! His dad has got an alligator and he thinks it wants to eat gran! This book comprises of the adventures of Crunchbag, an alligator who has been bought home by dad. And that reptile sure has got something for escaping again and again…

This book is incredibly funny for it is not every day that your dad brings home an alligator and proclaims that its tame, is it? This alligator sure does some weird things… like swallowing the T.V. remort and whenever it opened and shut its jaws the channel would change… or that your dad would give him a home in the leg of a T. Rex meant to be a slide… or the occasion when Crunchbag ate all the soap in the bathroom… Well, with Jeremy Strong, there is never a reason to not laugh!

I recommend this book to children of ages 8+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★★

 By Arhant

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (ROALD DAHL)

 

James is treated vilely by his two aunts ever since his parents death when he was 4. But one day something happens which changed James’ life. An old man suddenly appears and gives him a package of wonderful things that would bring him a new life. James mishandled the package and dropped it at the foot of the peach tree. The tiny things burrowed into the ground towards the roots of the peach tree. That day, the dead peach tree flowered! The peach growing on it became simply enormous, and it kept growing until it became the size of a small house. That night James climbed into a tunnel carved into the side of the peach and marvelous, wonderful things began happening to him…

This book is funny because there is no way a peach can grow to become the size of a house. And then how was it able to float (I just learned right now in Physics)?

I recommend this book to children of ages 8+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★☆

By Arhant

THE BFG (ROALD DAHL)

When Sophie (by accident) sees a giant, she is whisked off to the land of Nod, where the giants live, by a friendly giant called the BFG. There are 9 other giants as well, who every night go to human lands to eat humans for their supper. Sophie and the BFG create a plan with which they will be able to vanquish these giants once and for all. But will it succeed?

This book is incredibly funny for there are mysterious secrets about the BFG like – What was he doing with a trumpet before he kidnapped Sophie (in a good way)? Why does he have such big ears? And if he does not eat humans, then what does he eat and drink?

I recommend this book to children of ages 8+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★★

By Arhant

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (ROALD DAHL)

Charlie lives in a rundown house on the edge of a great city. He is very poor and can hardly afford to have his three meals a day. He longs for one thing above all others – chocolate. And he is very lucky, for in the town in which Charlie lives is a humongous chocolate factory! This factory is not just any old factory but the most famous chocolate factory in the world – Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. This year Mr. Wonka is going to allow 5 children to enter his factory. Those lucky five will be introduced to all the secrets and magic. Charlie hopes and hopes that he will get chosen…

This book is exciting for there are many secrets to be uncovered about Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. For example – who are the weird workers whose shadows can be seen at night? How are his chocolates becoming better and better day by day? And who in the world are Oompa Loompas?   

I recommend this book to children of ages 8+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★☆

By Arhant

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (L. M. MONTGOMERY)

 

Because of a slight misunderstanding, Anne Shirley is sent to Green Gables from the orphanage where she was living. Green Gables was owned by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Anne was soon accepted as a Cuthbert. Anne was a lively, smart, spritely and a jumpy girl. This book describes the various problems Anne meets during her life at Green Gables. She meets kindred spirits, gets in trouble at school and is very protective about her hair.

I recommend this book to people who love a good quote. For example, there is this one: “My life is a perfect graveyard of burned hopes.” But there many more like the above to enjoy in the wonderful series of novels about Anne’s thoughts and exploits.

This book has a mixed genre – it has adventure, comedy, scary parts, and romantic ones.

 I recommend this book to children of ages 11+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★★

By Arhant

THERE'S A PHAROAH IN OUR BATH (JEREMY STRONG)

Surprise! An ancient Egyptian pharaoh has been woken from his tomb by two thieves after his treasure. His name was Sennapod. Mr. Lightspeed rescued him and brought him to his house.

But the two men who awoke him are mad for his treasure are not going to give up so easily. They will do anything to get their hands on that treasure. This book is about their hilarious exploits to try and lay their hands upon the treasure.

This book was very funny for there is no way in which an Ancient Egyptian could be awoken when he had died hundreds of years ago, so the idea was quite funny. And Sennapod thought that he was in Egypt and tried to boss everyone around!

I recommend this book to children of ages 8+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★☆☆

By Arhant

KRANKENSTEINS CRAZY HOUSE OF HORRERS (JEREMY STRONG)

Charlie’s pajamas are weird. They write out messages, teleport people and provide them with help when in danger. Due to them, Charlie and Ben are whisked off to a castle full of monsters who are stitched and given life to by The Stitcher. The Stitcher (once she is ready) will unleash her army of monsters into the world and they would be led by her monster piece – Krankenstein. It is up to Charlie and Ben to prevent the invasion and protect the world as they know it from danger.

This book was very funny for there is no way that there is a machine using which you could turn stitched dolls into monsters. Also, there are hundreds of children who would have to be freed by Charlie and Ben. Will they be able to do it?

I recommend this book to children of ages 8+, especially people who love a good laugh.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★☆

By Arhant

ROBINSON CRUSOE (DANIEL DEFOE)

 

Robinson Crusoe tells the story of a young man who gets stranded on a desert island of the coast of South America. This book describes all the difficulties he faces during his stay on the island. I have heard that this book is based on the real-life adventures of Alexander Selkirk, who was abandoned on an island of the coast of Chile only to be rescued 4 and a half years later. The story revolves around how he survives, pitches up shelters and safety stores, does farming and other things necessary to stay alive.

Robinson Crusoe is a very good novel for it has a mixed genre- it has pirates, Cannibals, a desert island, and a shipwreck. He faces many problems like storms, earthquakes, food, water, and shelter. This book describes how he overcame those problems.

 This book will be loved by children who have begun reading large chapter books. Thus, I recommend it to children of age 9+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★☆☆

By Arhant

THE ARK'S ANNIVERSARY (GERALD DURRELL)

The Arks Anniversary is a series of stories about Gerald Durrell’s wonderful zoo called the Jersey Zoological Park. It describes a variety of animals whom have been bred at the park. It also describes the various problems one can face while owning a zoo and the founder of one of the biggest wildlife trusts in the world. This book follows the path of Gerald Durrell as he starts the Jersey Wildlife Foundation Trust on the eve of their 25^th anniversary. The classic humor of Durrell is legendary (to me). He is funny when he is not trying to be funny. His stories are some of my favorites as they talk about animals and biology. (my favorite subject!)

I liked this book for it was once my dream to own or govern a zoo, for then I would have had the license to study animals at close quarters. Gerald Durrell really understood animals, for before founding his zoo, he worked as an animal supplier for zoos. Unlike other suppliers, he used to keep his cages more spacious to give animals more place to breathe. That’s why when he started a zoo, he made that his primary concern. So, the animals of his zoo looked and were more content than they would have been at other zoos.

This book satisfies many points on subjects like Biology, Zoology and Botany. I recommend this book to readers of ages 10+.

THE HOWLER RATING: ★★★★★

by Arhant

 

NO TALKING! (ANDREW CLEMENTS)

Just another day at Laketown Elementary School. The ‘Unshushables’ are talking, again! But not all of them, for Dave Packer is as quiet as he could be. Not even a peep, for he has challenged himself to not talk for a day. But during lunch he gets exasperated and breaks his vow. (Almost always happens during teenage, right?) He challenged Lynsey Burgess to a boy’s vs girls No Talking match. No talking to anyone and the honour system to be maintained to prevent breaking of the rules. There Is trickery, deceit, and silence on both sides. Will both sides be able to remain silent, or not?

 I liked this book because no talking helps us to pull out memories from the back of our head, think and reflect on what we have done. In the book, it is said that Mahatma Gandhi used to remain quiet for 1 day per week to think, reflect and expand his thoughts. Thus, the importance of being silent is thoroughly explained in this book. I tried it out myself but found that it IS quite tough to do it in actual life.

This book is an excellent motivation for budding readers. I recommend this book to children of 10+.

THE HOWLER RATING : ★★★☆☆

by Arhant

THE SECRET GARDEN (F. H. BURNETT)

This book is set in the times of terror, when India was still controlled by the British. Mary Lennox had lost her parents in India due to a Cholera strike on her family mansion. She however, was unaffected by it. She was packed up and shipped off to her uncle’s home in Misselthwaite, namely Misselthwaite Manor. (Pretty imaginative name, by the way) There she is looked upon as a spoiled and selfish girl. She had sallow skin and rarely smiled. More like a vampire than a human. For her, the house was scary and terrifying.

She started to converse with the maids and the gardeners around the house. She found that her uncle had a shady and dark history. Talks of a hidden child and, above all a Secret Garden. Her life at the Manor suddenly changes when she discovers a key in the Garden, and thoughts of the Secret Garden grew in her mind as well…

This book mainly outlined the importance of walks, curiosity and, above all kindness. The unique bond formed between Mary and her uncle, Mr. Craven was heart-warming and wonderful. It reminded me of another special bond between a girl and her keeper, namely Pollyanna and her aunt, Miss Polly. Ms Polly too did not care for Pollyanna at first, but slowly grew to love her and care for her. The same pattern was repeated between Mr. Craven and Mary Lennox.

Due to the warm and friendly nature of the book, I would recommend it to children of 8+, to help them understand the importance of kindness and care.

THE HOWLER RATING : ★★★★☆

By Arhant

TOTTO CHAN (TETSUKO KURONOYAGI)

 

‘Over-curiosity is a blessing in disguise.’ This book proves this point. Young Tetsuko, called Totto Chan (Chan being a common prefix in those days), is expelled due to her habit of over-curiosity. She had to be taken to a new school. Nothing weird in that, right? Except for the fact that her new school used old train carriages as classrooms and libraries to enhance learning. Totto always felt that the carriage was going to zoom off on a whole new quest of learning.

This was not the only strange thing about the school. There was no timetable, and you could start with any subject you wish. The teachers could then understand where the child’s interests lay. This was not the strange thing about Tomoe Gakuen. Everything from the lunches to the headmaster to the swimming pool to the exciting activities was a different and new experience for Totto. Her curiosity was encouraged, not discouraged in her new school.

This story made me feel the importance of education. The headmaster, Mr. Kobayashi, answered each question targeted towards him. Nothing should be kept a secret. A principal like him is hard to find in today’s schools, where children are encouraged only to be seen and not heard. He did not deny the children a chance to learn something new.

This book opened my eyes to the wonders of education and I strongly recommend children and adults to read it and embrace the wonder of the Japanese School, Tomoe Gakuen. I hope you enjoy and cherish this book as much as I did.

THE HOWLER RATING : ★★★★★   

By Arhant

 

 

 

 

MY FIRST (published) REVIEW : THE KING OF THE CLOUD FORESTS (Michael Morpurgo)

This book is set in the Southern plains of China, when the Japanese are swooping upon the Chinese from above during the second Sino-Chinese War, lasting from 1937-1945.(Basically during WW2) Ashley Anderson lived with his father and Tibetan Uncle in monastery in Southern China. Their little village was one of the first to be attacked by the Japanese. Due to impeding danger, Ashley is forced to flee with his uncle to Tibet to escape, and travel from there to India. Despite facing imminent threats and dangers consecutively, Ashley and Uncle did not lose hope and ploughed on. They had to face wolves and worse, angry Tibetans who wanted to kill them both. (They hated white people like Ashley) However, in a bitter snowstorm, Ashley is separated from his uncle and captured, taken to a cave. But who are the mysterious creatures who have captured him? Is it the mystical Yeti, said to live in the Himalayas or a family of snow giants, said to live on the highest peaks of the Himalayas? (Some secrets have to remain....)

This book focusses more on psychology than action, unlike other books I have read. It is narrated from Ashley’s eyes and thus portrays his thoughts and actions and subsequently the thoughts behind them. However, this is still full of suspense and emotion. It portrays the change in appearance of Ashley, from originally being quite weak to becoming strong-willed and physically strong as well. The feeling of losing his family and best friends, that too twice must have been unbearable. He lost his father, friends, and his uncle, but still persevered. This book is well described and one of my favourite Morpurgo’s. (For now. There are really no traffic lights in reading!!)

        Due to above reasons, this book helps in character building and confidence, and thus I recommend it to children of 9+.

 THE HOWLER RATING : ★★★☆☆

By Arhant