Asha & the Spirit Bird

Author: Jasbinder Bilan

Genre: Children's (9-12 years)

Publisher: Chicken House

Year: 2019

Blurb: WINNER OF THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD

Asha lives in the foothills of the Himalayas. Money is tight and she misses her papa who works in the city. When he suddenly stops sending his wages, a ruthless moneylender ransacks their home andher mother talks of leaving.

From her den in the mango tree, Asha makes a pact with her best friend, Jeevan, to find her father and make things right. But the journey is dangerous: they must cross the world's highest mountains and face hunger, tiredness - even snow leopards.

And yet, Asha has the unshakeable sense that the spirit bird of her grandmother - her nanijee - will be watching over her.