Narrator Reena Dutt whisks listeners into a heroic tale set in the Himalayas. As the heroine, young Asha, Dutt narrates in pure, sweet tones, relaying the girl’s innocence and imagination. Set on finding her father after not hearing from him in months, Asha enlists the help of her dearest friend, Jeevan. His practical personality is portrayed by Dutt in calm, sometimes serious notes. As the two journey together, guided by the spirit of Asha’s Nanijee, Dutt’s tempo keeps listeners engaged. Moments of reflection find Dutt slowing Asha’s words, while her cadence increases during tense scenes. Listeners both young and old will cheer for Asha and Jeevan as they traverse the mountain range to bring her father home and save her family from greedy moneylenders. V.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Asha and the Spirit Bird
Narrated by Reena Dutt
Jasbinder BilanUnabridged — 6 hours, 41 minutes
Asha and the Spirit Bird
Narrated by Reena Dutt
Jasbinder BilanUnabridged — 6 hours, 41 minutes
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Overview
Editorial Reviews
"Bilan's story is an eye-opening adventure with one-sandalled foot in atmospheric realism and a toe-hold in the mythical." The Observer"An evocative debut...weaves ancient Hindu beliefs into a fast-past quest." The Guardian (Book of the Month)"A modern epic." The Times"Weaves themes of faith, friendship and greed into a vibrant adventure with a rich seam of magic realism." The Bookseller
06/01/2020
Gr 4–6—Asha's father has traveled to the city to make money, but his family hasn't heard from him in months. Asha's mother feels the only thing to do is sell their farm in India at the base of the Himalayas and move to England. Asha cannot believe that her father would abandon her family and is determined to find him. With the help of her best friend Jeevan and the watchful "dark-flecked" eye of a lamagaia vulture that Asha believes is the spirit of her grandmother, the duo sets off on a dangerous, cold, rocky, and fateful journey to locate her father. With mythical guides believed to be the spirits of her ancestors, Asha has more than just luck on her side. Bilan creates a believable world with real-life conflicts and characters that will resonate. Though the names of places are made up, descriptions of harsh societal conditions such as sickness, child servitude, and poor working environments are rooted in reality. This adventure has its twists and turns, but the book is a somewhat quiet story that can lag in momentum. The resolution leaves a saccharine tone that contrasts with the rest of the narrative, and seems a bit too quick and convenient. However, readers will feel that Asha deserves a happy ending. VERDICT A heroic adventure with a brave, believable female character that would appeal to those who like realistic fiction with a dash of magic.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury P.L., MA
Narrator Reena Dutt whisks listeners into a heroic tale set in the Himalayas. As the heroine, young Asha, Dutt narrates in pure, sweet tones, relaying the girl’s innocence and imagination. Set on finding her father after not hearing from him in months, Asha enlists the help of her dearest friend, Jeevan. His practical personality is portrayed by Dutt in calm, sometimes serious notes. As the two journey together, guided by the spirit of Asha’s Nanijee, Dutt’s tempo keeps listeners engaged. Moments of reflection find Dutt slowing Asha’s words, while her cadence increases during tense scenes. Listeners both young and old will cheer for Asha and Jeevan as they traverse the mountain range to bring her father home and save her family from greedy moneylenders. V.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
2020-02-09
When her papa disappears and moneylenders come to collect on old debts, Asha knows it’s up to her to save her family farm.
Eleven-year-old Asha loves her village of Moormanali, in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, where her ancestors have lived for generations. Times are hard, however, so her papa has gone to the big city of Zandapur to find work to help pay for the family farm. But when he disappears for four months without sending any wages home, Asha’s mother is forced to take a loan from a cruel moneylender who demands repayment. Determined to find her father, Asha decides to set off for Zandapur with her best friend, Jeevan—and with the help of a lamagaia, a vulturelike bird that Asha is convinced is the spirit of her long-dead grandmother. Bilanhas created a richly drawn setting, fast-paced plot, and a strong but tender first-person-present narrative voice. The last third of the book, in which Bilan fully commits to the story’s more magical elements, is the most enjoyable, while the first two-thirds rely more on conservative Hinduism and therefore feel less imaginative. At times, the interactions between Jeevan and Asha fall along gender-stereotypical lines, but the most troubling aspect of the book is the title, which seems to appropriate Native American beliefs about spirit animals that do not have a parallel in Hinduism.
A well-plotted narrative rooted in Hinduism. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 10-14)
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940179012634 |
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Publisher: | Scholastic, Inc. |
Publication date: | 06/02/2020 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
Age Range: | 8 - 11 Years |