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Author & Illustrators

Bali Rai Books

Escape From Amritsar

Chapter book

Amritsar, India, 1919. A city on the brink of violence, as tensions between the local people and the British colonial rulers explode.

12-year-old Arjan Singh learns that his father has been falsely charged with serious crimes. But there has been a terrible massacre in the city, as British troops fired on unarmed Indians, and the city is under curfew. Anger and fear have left the population seething and danger lurks around every corner.

Arjan sets out on a perilous mission to save his father, in the face of armed troops, martial curfew, and vicious local bandits. Can he escape and get to his father before it’s too late?

Bobby Bains Ain’t Playing

Bali Rai & Daniel Duncan

Chapter book

The second in a brilliant dyslexia-friendly series that is also perfect as a quick read for Upper KS2 readers.

In this instalment, a five-a-side tournament is on the horizon and Bobby and his friend Maisie can’t wait to join in. However, an injustice arises when Maisie’s girls’ team is no longer allowed to play. Not one to let unfairness go unchallenged, Bobby comes up with a plan to turn the tide.

It’s a short read with heartwarming characters and real-life issues, and Bobby certainly strikes a chord with children who love football.

(Un)arranged Marriage

Bali Rai

Chapter book

MANNY WANTS TO BE A FOOTBALLER. OR A POP STAR. OR WRITE A BESTSELLER. HE DOESN’T WANT TO GET MARRIED…

‘Harry and Ranjit were waiting for me – waiting to take me to Derby, to a wedding. My wedding. A wedding that I hadn’t asked for, that I didn’t want. To a girl who I didn’t know… If they had bothered to open their eyes, they would have seen me: seventeen, angry, upset but determined – determined to do my own thing, to choose my own path in life…’

Set partly in the UK and partly in the Punjab region of India, this is a fresh, bitingly perceptive and totally up-to-the-minute look at one young man’s fight to free himself from family expectations and to be himself, free to dance to his own tune.

A Sudden Storm

Bali Rai & David Shephard

Chapter book

An innocent night out to celebrate a sixteenth birthday turns to tragedy in this powerful story of racial intolerance from award-winning author Bali Rai.

It’s Arjan’s sixteenth birthday and he’s celebrating with his mates – going to see a film and then get a Nando’s. He’s looking forward to some good banter and wondering what might happen with Jem, who’s been looking at him differently these days …

But the night comes to a dramatic and violent end when Arjan is targeted by a group of racist thugs, who single him out due to the colour of his skin and the turban that he wears as a symbol of his commitment to his faith and culture.

Is the life of a good friend and beloved son really worth so little?

Please note that this book contains mature content (with themes of racially motivated violence) and language that some may find offensive.

Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder

Bali Rai & Daniel Duncan

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

A brilliant dyslexic-friendly book that is also perfect as a quick read for confident readers.

Bobby Bains loves football. He dreams about it, he plays it at school, on the weekends and is even trying to get his grandfather to play football! Bobby lives with his mum and her dad, his Nana-ji, because Bobby’s dad left when he was a baby. Bobby is a Sikh, and his religion teaches him to be kind, and he is a really kind person. His mum works for the community food bank, where Bobby notices a lonely pensioner called Trevor. When the pensioner turns up at Bobby’s football match, he gets an idea to get Trevor and Nana-ji to become friends.

I think lots of children will be pleased to see this book. ‘Bobby Bains plays a blinder’ is a heartwarming read about community, friendship and kindness.

Hardit Singh Malik: World War One Flying Ace

Bali Rai

Chapter book

Based on a fascinating real-life story, this recreated autobiography from the Voices series tracks the life of Hardit Singh Malik. Aged fourteen, he travels to England to study. With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, he is as keen to join up as his friends are. Astonishingly, as a British Indian, he cannot. It is only through the intervention of some well-connected English friends that exceptions are made for this exceptional young man, and he can fulfil his dream to become a pilot. Adventures and jeopardy follow. Hardit will need all his resourcefulness, courage and training to survive.

Hardit’s resolution to overcome difficulties (he even has a special flying helmet made to fit over his turban, for example) and to stay true to his sense of honour are inspiring. His narrative illustrates and explains the values of Sikhism and celebrates the historic contribution made by British Indians to the Great War. It is simply written in a straightforward style, which makes it an accessible read.

This is an excellent book to help deepen and round out the study of both World War I and also Sikhism.

The Royal Rebel

Bali Rai & Rachael Dean

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly, Non-fiction

Rebel, Princess, Suffragette: this is the incredible true story of the life of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, a forgotten heroine of the early twentieth century.

Born in 1876, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the daughter of the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab, and goddaughter of Queen Victoria. After her father lost control of his empire and was exiled to England, Sophia had a privileged but troubled upbringing that left her unsure about where she belonged – in India or England. Sensitive to injustice, she became an suffragette and fought hard to win the vote for women. This is the extraordinary story of her life.

Now or Never – A Dunkirk Story

Bali Rai

Chapter book

A gripping adventure in an exciting new series reflecting the authentic, unsung stories of our past!

Now or Never brings a young soldier, Private Fazal Khan, from his home in India to the battlefields of the Second World War.

Fazal’s world is now focused on Company 32 and the animals he cares for in the midst of one of the most frightening times in history. And as he and his friends make their way to the beaches of Dunkirk, Fazal must deal with even more than the terrors of a dangerous trek to reach the evacuation zone.

The Company’s captain defends his troops in the face of a terrible betrayal at the point of rescue: not everyone has welcomed the help brought by the Royal Indian Army Service Corps. Now Fazal is forced to question why he is even there and why he is expected to be loyal to a king whose people don’t all see him as their equal.

Tales from India

Bali Rai

Short story collection

Folklore and short stories are a brilliant way to introduce children to cultures different from their own. These retellings, which maintain a traditional feel, hint at the diversity within ‘Indian culture’. Educators can pick and choose from twenty lively stories to share with young people learning about India (and there’s a glossary and extra activities included!).

Mohinder’s War

Bali Rai

Chapter book

Mohinder’s War follows the journey of a young girl called Joelle, in the midst of Nazi-occupied France, who becomes unlikely friends with an Indian British RAF pilot. Joelle is a likeable character and shows great strength in the face of adversity, dealing with loss and the confusion of being exposed to war at a young age.

The narrative also gives children an insight into the role of soldiers from across the Commonwealth. This aspect would provide a great opportunity for teachers and children to research the sacrifices made by these individuals and the impact this had on the war. The book also gives space to questions children may have when encountering the Sikh religion and presents these in a respectful way that will allow children the opportunity to learn more about the religion. This could also prompt discussions in class and further research.

Short chapters allow children to pace themselves easily and also allow teachers to fit in a chapter or two at the end of a very busy day as a whole-class story. An important and diverse option amid the sea of Second World War children’s books.