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Tamarind and the Star of Ishta

Book Synopsis

Tamarind never knew her Indian mum, who died soon after she was born.

So when she arrives at her ancestral home, a huge mansion in the Himalayas surrounded by luxuriant gardens, she’s full of questions for her extended family.

But instead of answers, she finds an ominous silence – and a trickle of intriguing clues: an abandoned hut, a friendly monkey, a glowing star ring, and a strange girl in the garden who calls herself Ishta.

Slowly, Tamarind unravels a mystery at the heart of who she is …

The second novel by Jasbinder Bilan, author of the Costa Award-winning Asha & the Spirit Bird and a rising star in middle-grade fiction.

Perfect for readers aged 9 and up – for fans of Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

A beautiful and emotional family drama lightly woven with magic, in a breathtaking Indian setting.

Our Review Panel says...

This story is full of intrigue and family secrets. Tamarind travels from England to India to stay with relatives while her father and his new wife jaunt off on their honeymoon. Tamarind’s impressions of India, as a newcomer, are fresh and detailed. At its heart, this upper middle-grade story is one about grief, but it’s also about familiarity; Bilan explores this beautifully through place in the atmospheric house and spirited forest.

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Tamarind and the Star of Ishta: Teaching Notes

Chapter-by-chapter resources provided by the publisher, including comprehension questions, writing opportunities and cross-curricular ideas.

Tamarind and the Star of Ishta

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