When Secrets Set Sail
by Sita Brahmachari, illustrated by Evan Hollingdale
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 9+
Published by Orion, 2020
About this book
This moving tale centres around two eleven-year-old girls, Usha and Imtiaz. Usha is a quiet introvert who is struggling to deal with the death of her beloved grandmother. Imtiaz, having grown up in a children’s home after being abandoned as a baby, has mixed feelings about being adopted by Usha’s family.
At first, there is much resentment between the girls: Usha seems distant and unfriendly, while Imtiaz is prickly and fearful of rejection. When Usha claims she can see the ghost of her grandmother, Imtiaz assumes she is trying to scare her away. However, when Imtiaz encounters the silent ghost of a mysterious Indian woman, the girls begin to trust one another. Guided by the two ghosts, they delve into the past to piece together clues and unravel the mystery which is preventing the spirits from moving on from this world.
Packed full of history, this poignant novel about family secrets and broken promises explores some of the injustices faced by generations of migrants to Britain. With themes of intolerance, discrimination, trust and love, it emphasises the importance of understanding people’s heritage and righting the wrongs of previous generations by allowing everyone’s story to be heard.
About the author
More books like this
-
Amal Unbound
by Aisha Saeed
9 to 14 years
-
When Shadows Fall
by Sita Brahmachari, illustrated by Natalie Sirett
11 to 14 years
-
Where the River Runs Gold
by Sita Brahmachari
9 to 14 years
-
Corey’s Rock
by Sita Brahmachari, illustrated by Jane Ray
5 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Books with South Asian characters for ages 6+
These wonderful books celebrate South Asian culture through fantastic characters, inspirational true stories and superb storytelling for children in the primary school age range.
-
Books about adopted characters
Every family is different, and it's always wonderful to see part of your own experience reflected in a book. This is a selection of fantastic books – some funny, some exciting, some magical – where the main character is adopted.
-
Favourite fiction about British History
At BookTrust, we know how vital it is for children to see themselves and their family and friends in stories. We asked author Jasbinder Bilan to recommend some novels that focus on diverse parts of British history, so that today's readers can see their families' histories on the page.