Rashmi Sirdeshpande picks some of her favourite Children’s/YA Books from Jhalak Prize Longlists
- Jhalak Prize
- Dec 14, 2021
- 3 min read
Just in time for Christmas: Award-winning children’s author Rashmi Sirdeshpande picks some of her favourite Children’s/YA reads from past Jhalak Prize longlists. She’s an official World Book Day author for 2022 and her latest non-fiction book, Good News illustrated by Adam Hayes, has been shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022.
Too Small Tola by Atinuke and Onyinye Iwu
This book is just gorgeous through and through! I fell in love with it as soon as I had it in my hands. Combine Atinuke’s utterly charming and captivating storytelling with Onyinye Iwu’s beautiful artwork (she is 100% one to watch!) and you have a series that will enchant readers young and old. Tola is the most wonderful character - small and full of determination - and her story will transport you instantly to Lagos. Imagine! Where were these books when I was growing up? I’m so glad they are here now and available to children everywhere so they can travel the world through these pages and see it for all its richness.
A fun, fast-paced adventure set in the beautiful and vibrant world of Serendib, a fascinating fictional setting inspired by Sri Lanka. Wonderfully atmospheric, I was immediately immersed in the story. Transported, in fact. And I know it’s one that has been loved and enjoyed by children all over the world. I mean what more can you ask for? It’s got mystery, fantastic friendships, brilliant banter, a gorgeous jungle setting, and an actual ELEPHANT, and it gets extra points because it features a bold protagonist (Chaya), a jewel thief who doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone.
Written by the absolute queen of historical fiction, this book shines a light on the true story of 18th century freedom fighter and leader of the Jamaican Maroons, Queen Nanny. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know about this fierce and glorious woman who waged war against British colonisers. She was the mastermind behind an epic resistance movement and while the book doesn’t hold back in its descriptions of the terrors inflicted upon enslaved people, it is a truly uplifting tale of courage and determination. And it’s written in such an accessible way, bringing this important and heroic story to a young audience in a way that is exciting, empowering, and hopeful.
This book blew me away. I can’t stop thinking about it. Inspired by a real-life uprising in Jamaican plantations in 1760, Cane Warriors is a beautifully written, powerful and hopeful book that everyone needs to read. It’s absolutely brutal but with the most tender moments of family and friendship and faith in a brighter future. We see this world of the plantations and the uprising through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Moa, a character crafted and written with such care and sensitivity and depth. In this way, Alex Wheatle introduces us to a heart breaking piece of British history that we all need to understand and learn from and heroes for every single one of us to hold close to our hearts.
I can’t make a Children’s/YA list without including Patrice Lawrence, a formidable writer with the most incredible voice. And this is the thing. Eight Pieces of Silva is a pacy page-turner of a story but above all, for me, it’s a masterclass in voice. I loved Becks from the second I met her on the page. Books are a journey in empathy and with this one, you truly do see the world through her eyes and feel with her every step of the way. And don’t get me started on how much I LOVE the pop culture references in this book - Black Panther, for example! It’s all so real and fresh and bang on in every way. Loved it.
Editor's note: We are particularly delighted that Rashmi picked Eight Pieces of Silva, our inaugural C&YA winner
What a fantastic list of books! I was particularly drawn to the description of "Too Small Tola" and how it transports you to Lagos. It makes me wish I could visualize those scenes more vividly, especially the beautiful artwork by Onyinye Iwu. For anyone else who loves to imagine book settings, a [Free AI Image Generator] could be a really fun way to bring some of those descriptions to life.
Finding new book recommendations from Rashmi Sirdeshpande is such a treat for any parent or teacher. Capturing high-quality photos of these beautiful book covers on my iPhone helps me remember what to look for at the library. Since the HEIC format often creates compatibility issues when sharing these lists with my parent-teacher group, using Best Heic Convert Png has become my go-to solution. Converting these images into PNGs ensures everyone can see the colorful illustrations and titles perfectly!
Rashmi's picks are absolutely spot on! It’s so important for children to see diverse stories reflected in what they read. As a parent who spends a lot of time sitting and reading these wonderful books with my kids, I often struggle with lower back and neck stiffness. I've found that using MrJointPatch is a great way to manage that physical strain, so I can stay comfortable and fully present during our storytime sessions.
I liked how Rashmi Sirdeshpande talked about choosing books that genuinely make her laugh out loud it made the list feel really personal rather than just “recommended reads.” It’s interesting to see that mix of newer titles and ones that clearly stayed with her over time. While going through it, I was also thinking about how students balancing things like Online Management Assignment Help in Australia still look for small reading escapes like these. Curious to try one or two from her picks and see what makes them stand out to her.
What a fantastic and thoughtfully curated list from Rashmi Sirdeshpande! I love how each recommendation highlights not just compelling storytelling but also powerful themes of history, identity, courage, and cultural richness. From the vibrant streets of Lagos in Too Small Tola to the fierce resistance in Cane Warriors, these books clearly offer young readers both adventure and depth. It’s so important to see diverse voices and histories celebrated in children’s and YA literature—lists like this make discovering them even more joyful. And when I take a break between great reads, I sometimes unwind with something light and fun like eggy car — a totally different kind of balance challenge!