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Asha and the Spirit Bird

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Asha and the Spirit Bird

By: Jasbinder Bilan
Narrated by: Antonia Whillans
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About this listen

Asha lives in the foothills of the Himalayas. She misses her papa who works in the city. When he suddenly stops sending his wages, a ruthless moneylender ransacks their home. Asha makes a pact with her best friend, Jeevan, to find her father. But the journey is dangerous: they must cross the world's highest mountains and face hunger, tiredness - even snow leopards. Yet Asha has the unshakeable sense that the spirit bird of her grandmother - her nanijee - will be watching over her.

©2019 Jasbinder Bilan (P)2019 Oakhill Publishing Action & Adventure Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Adventure
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3.5 stars.

This would still have worked for me, without the magical realism. I'm not a huge fan of spirits/ ghosts and their ilk, but it was interesting to see the context in which this would be accepted and a fairly common idea.

Asha lives near the Himalayas, her father works away in the city, sending money home. But when his letters and funds suddenly stop, her mother finds herself on the nasty end of a moneylender. Asha makes a decision with her best friend Jeevan - they will travel to her father and find out what has happened to him. But this means travelling over some very challenging terrain... and facing many dangers.

The 'spirit bird' of the title is that of her grandmother, Asha believes, watching out for her. Though I preferred the moving tale of the two friends and their 'fellowship'. They are 11-12 and with a maturity that sometimes stretches incredulity, but the exciting story gives readers all sorts of eye-opening adventures for them to share with the two children.

I wasn't enamoured of the narrator. I listened to this via Audible, and found her a little underwhelming/calm. The paper version might have suited me better and let me move at a faster pace.

A poignant adventure in an exciting setting, one for ages 8-12.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

Story of danger, loyalty and bravery

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I really enjoyed this book, I have now brought a copy for my bookshelf in my classroom.

A superb story for UKS2 - beautifully written.

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It’s good but I don’t really like the story, but that’s my opinion and I think if u like adventure stories this is for u. X

Not my type of story, but great for kids x

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