Why am I passionate about this?
I'm a writer and poet who loved reading books set in fantasy worlds like Narnia as a child. When I began writing for children, I realised my own magical experiences had been on family trips to India, where goddesses and temples, palaces swarming with monkeys, ice-capped mountains, and elephant rides were part of everyday life. The term āmagic realismā seemed to better fit my own fantasy world, Indica. Here, elemental magic is rooted in the myths and culture of young hero Minou Moonshine, expanding her experiences and guiding the search for her destiny. The childrenās books I've chosen also contain supernatural and magical elements which are intrinsic to the protagonistās world ā no wardrobe needed!
Gita's book list on magic realism chosen by a childrenās author
Why did Gita love this book?
It's hard to believe that Kiran Millwood Hargraveās The Girl of Ink and Stars only came out in 2016.
The book has become a modern classic, combining beautifully poetic writing with the compelling first-person voice of Isabella, the mapmakerās daughter. When Isabella ventures into the mysterious interior of the island of Joya Governor, to search for her friend, the Governorās daughter, she must navigate a mysterious labyrinth, supernatural demon dogs, and a volcano-dwelling deity.
The magic elements here are inspired by the indigenous culture of the Canary Isles.
2 authors picked The Girl of Ink & Stars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.
The magical bestseller: a classic story to read again
and again.
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017
Winner of the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year
2017
Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award
Shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize
Beautiful, thrilling and magical, Sunday Times bestselling-author
Kiran Millwood Hargrave's critically-acclaimed first
novel is a modern classic.
'Absolutely loved it from start to finish' TOM
FLETCHER
'I read it, I loved it' MALORIE BLACKMAN
'Kiran Millwood Hargrave creates a spellbinding world of magic,
myth and adventure' EMMA CARROLL
Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella dreams of the farawayā¦