Hello Yellow - 80 Books to Help Children Nurture Good Mental Health and Support With Anxiety and Wellbeing - A riotous adventure with colour and a lot of heart, featuring an intrepid protagonist who refuses to let anything defeat her."— Nafiza Azad, author of The Candle and the Flame The New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds brings us an epic animal adventure story perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander.

Nura and the Immortal Palace — Your Tita Kate Book Review: Nura and the Immortal Palace — Your Tita Kate

The way the author stresses education in this book was so powerful! The author’s note really had me thinking about how many children in the world don’t have access to education and that’s just heartbreaking. Nura was the kind of character who entirely gives up on knowledge because she just can’t afford it. But her experiences in the djinn realms made her think otherwise and I’m very sure everyone reading this book would be so proud of her once the reach the end. The three way chats, in which they are joined by other animals, about web spinning, themselves, other humans—are as often informative as amusing, and the whole tenor of appealing wit and pathos will make fine entertainment for reading aloud, too. Sparkling with magic, Nura whisks you from the mica mines of Pakistan to the dreamy and dangerous realm of the Jinn. A twisty, atmospheric tale with a fierce protagonist, whose voice lingered in my mind long after I'd finished reading. -- Jennifer Bell * author of Wonderscape * Book Genre: Adventure, Asian Literature, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Literature, Magic, Middle Grade, Mythology, Young Adult Twelve year old Nura works in a mica mine for long hours. She is determined to find a legendary treasure known as ‘The Demon’s Tongue’, and thus provide respite to her widowed mother and four younger siblings from the drudgery of poverty and struggle. However, one day, she gets too carried away while digging and ends up triggering a collapse in the mines, resulting in some of the child labourers, including her best friend Faisal, being declared dead. Nura is determined to save her friend, but in attempting this rescue, she lands up through a portal in the world of the jinn. Is Faisal here? Is the ‘Demon’s Tongue’ here? Can Nura save herself and her friend from the evil jinn?This is a stunning, colourful story, vividly created for the reader. The world of the jinn feels frantic, frenzied and dangerous to be part of. There are grotesque characters with uncontrollable emotions and no morals who keep children - human and jinn alike - to do all their bidding. Nura is a fabulous heroine; a determined young girl who undergoes her own transformation as she realizes the true priorities in life are not what you have but who you have in your life. Nura and the Immortal Palace is the kind of book I wish I had when I was younger. Nura and the Immortal Palace is an endearing adventure story filled with loveable characters at its core that emphasizes the cycle of exploitation. History repeats itself. Once again, we fall to chaos. But we’ll rise again. And again. And once more.” With gorgeous, atmospheric writing, M.T. Khan tells a bold tale that challenges greed and inequality as the tough and clever Nura fights the odds from the mica mines of rural Pakistan to a realm of jinn and magic."— Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Widow and Zachary Ying series Most of the children’s books I have read in my childhood had some or all of the following: Magical adventures; Best friends and squabbling but sweet siblings; Excitement for Christmas; biblical values; cakes and pies; pretty dresses for parties; elves/gnomes. The first two elements remain the same in this book but the rest transform into an experience closer to home: excitement for Eid; Islamic values; gulab jamuns, lehengas and jinn! I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to read a children's book with the protagonist drooling for gulab jamuns. The fact that this was set in a rural village in Pakistan made its freshness even more appealing.

Nura and the Immortal Palace by M. T. Khan - digital pack

A magical and pacy middle-grade debut following a young girl's adventure from real-world Pakistan into the world of the jinn. If anyone says that they work for passion or world peace and not the delicious food on their plate, they're lying." An exceptional middle grade debut that shines brighter than any gem—and digs into the ugly truth of child labor. Khan is a gifted writer whose books will be treasured for years to come!" But when a terrible accident buries her best friend below ground, Nura goes in search of him and passes over into the magical and terrible world of the jinn. Across a pink sea and under a purple sky, she finds her way to a palace, where great riches and a whole new life are on offer.

The world building was superb! I loved reading about the imagery and magic of the Sijj palace. The dijjn’s and their powers were so cool to read about. The atmosphere is cozy and daunting, colourful yet dark + explores family, faith, and fear (of jinn). It feels like the stories we all remember being told as a child... the same stories that linger and creep in our shadows as we get older. I am so, so excited for people to read this. A “phenomenal and tender debut” novel about a family who embark on a road trip across Malaysia before the world ends has won the Waterstones children’s book prize. About the Author M.T. Khan is a speculative fiction author with a penchant for all things myth, science, and philosophy. She focuses on stories that combine all three, dreaming of evocative worlds and dark possibilities. When she's not writing, she has her nose deep in physics textbooks or glued to her CAD computer as she majors in Mechanical Engineering. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, she currently resides in Toronto, Canada, with a hyperactive cat and an ever-increasing selection of tea. Nura and the Immortal Palaceis her debut novel.

Nura and the Immortal Palace by M.T. Khan | Goodreads

The standout worldbuilding strikes an impressive balance between realism and fantasy, presenting the harrowing experiences of child labor while also joyfully describing a lavish jinn resort with all manner of curious and memorable details in a way that does not diminish the impact of the former." Khan’s Nura and the Immortal Palace is rooted in Muslim culture and folklore. Khan is from Pakistan and now lives in Canada, where she is studying mechanical engineering. The book follows two children who work in a mica mine, and find themselves transported to a world of jinn. Nura longs to wear a beautiful red dupatta or to bite into a sweet gulab. But with her mom hard at work in a run-down sweatshop and three younger siblings to feed, Nura must spend her days earning money by mica mining. But it’s not just the extra rupees Nura is after. Local rumor says there’s buried treasure in the mine, and Nura knows that finding it could change the course of her family’s life forever. Meticulous plotting and layered lore elevate Khan’s debut, while Nura and Faisal’s friendship grounds the high-stakes story about burgeoning labor consciousness."— Publishers Weekly, starred review I've only been getting into middle grade books recently, but this one is already one of my favourites! The story is so good and fun with beautiful writing and unique worldbuilding... and the message attached to it all is SO important.This is a story about clutching on to hope despite your situation, about allowingyourself to yearn for more than just the food on your plate or nice clothes to wear –it’s about dreaming big. Because dreaming big shouldn’t feel like a luxury. In a Nutshell: A children’s fantasy from the Indian subcontinent – what a welcome change and a novel experience! Though a middle grade fiction, the book doesn’t go all light and fluffy. There are several dark themes and important topics such as the value of education and the prevalence of child labour. The author’s note at the end casts further light on these topics and is a must-read. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Nura and the Immortal Palace By M. T. Khan | Used - Wob Nura and the Immortal Palace By M. T. Khan | Used - Wob

Little does she know that her efforts will lead her to another world, the realm of the jinn. Here she is met with wealth and splendour beyond her wildest dreams. But all that glitters is not gold and Nura learns that wealth and happiness do not necessarily come from the things she thought. When faced with a bleak reality, she realises too late what is important to her. The time and effort the author spent are directly reflected within the world. Throughout the world, there is Desi culture sprinkled in through the clothing, food, and childhood stories of the Jinn. It’s a celebration of M.T Khan’s culture and allows those who aren’t of the same to feel a connection to it. It creates a truly memorizing world for the reader to engross themselves in.Alternatively, we suggest that you visit your local library and request to borrow a copy from a friendly librarian. History repeats itself. Once again, we fall to chaos. But we'll rise again. And again. And once more." But there’s a dark truth lurking beneath all that glitter and gold, and when Nura crosses the owner’s son and is banished to the working quarters, she realizes she isn’t the only human who’s ended up in the hotel’s clutches. Faisal and the other missing children are there, too, and if Nura can’t find a way to help them all escape, they’ll be bound to work for the hotel forever. My thanks to Walker Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Nura and the Immortal Palace”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.