May 19, 2014
Jamila Gavin is the Whitbread Award-winning author of Coram Boy, among other well-known titles. Jamila was born in India and spent part of her childhood there, before moving to the UK. Many of her books are influenced by her experiences growing up, and her popular Grandpa Chatterji series is often used in classrooms as texts for stories from another culture.
As well as global cultures, Jamila has a passion for folk stories and often draws on tales from around the world and throughout history for her own storytelling. Her upcoming book Blackberry Blue is an original collection of short fairy tales about magical places and creatures, destined to entertain and inspire children.
Highlights
Coram Boy, for which Jamila won the Whitbread Award, remains her best-know book and a set text in many classrooms. These other highlights are among her most popular titles with Accelerated Reader users.
| Title | AR Quiz Number | Interest Level | Book Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coram Boy | 204258 | Middle Years | 6.3 |
| Monkey in the Stars | 202043 | Middle Years | 4.5 |
| Fine Feathered Friend | 205214 | Lower Years | 4.7 |
World Tales
Many of Jamila’s stories feature influences from world literature. Her latest book, Blackberry Blue, draws on Western European folk tales but gives them a New European flavour.
| Title | AR Quiz Number | Interest Level | Book Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberry Blue | 225783 | Middle Years | 6.1 |
| Alexander the Great | 223621 | Upper Years | 7.6 |
| I Want to be an Angel | 202042 | Middle Years | 4.8 |
| Three Indian Goddesses | 204201 | Middle Years | 5.5 |
Grandpa Chatterji
Grandpa Chatterji is not at all like what Neetu and Sanjay expect him to be.
| Title | AR Quiz Number | Interest Level | Book Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandpa Chatterji | 201428 | Middle Years | 4.6 |
| Grandpa’s Indian Summer | 202041 | Middle Years | 5.3 |
Surya Trilogy
The Surya Trilogy follows family of Indian Sikhs, exploring issues like the partition of India, arranged marriage, and divided loyalties.
| Title | AR Quiz Number | Interest Level | Book Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wheel of Surya | 201427 | Middle Years | 5.9 |
| The Eye of the Horse | 201994 | Middle Years | 5.6 |
| The Track of the Wind | 201945 | Middle Years | 6.1 |