Books for young minds
Reading books goes beyond just words – it contains the power to transport you to a different world or time, whether one that is mystical or magical, in the past or ahead
into the future. As you grow up and cultivate the habit of reading, you can become more equipped to understand the world, think freely, ask questions, and make informed
decisions in your own lives. To ignite curiosity and nurture a love for stories, you can try picking up new books with inspiring and exciting tales, which have the potential to broaden your knowledge or transport you to different settings or moments in time.
The Parag Honour List, an initiative by Tata Trusts, offers a specially curated collection of remarkable books in English and Hindi for young adults.
When Blackbirds Fly by Hannah Lalhlanpuii and illustrated by Canato Jimo
A sensitive look into coming of age during a time of war, this historical novel explores a heart-wrenching story following children aspiring for peaceful lives in the heart of conflict. Set in Mizoram, it is a story of individual lives and dreams being affected and threatened by strife and destruction.
(Image: Duckbill)
The Enchanted Cottage by Ruskin Bond and illustrated by Sucharita Sengupta Suri
Ruskin Bond, a storyteller who has uniquely captivated young and old Indian audiences, often writes of nature in his children’s books. This book is no different, unfolding a tale
of mystery and drama following odd occurrences happening near a cottage in the hills. Depicted with beautiful, richly coloured illustrations, it consists of several haunting
stories that hint to the supernatural, create a sense of anticipation and elicit thoughts of the past, and clearly demonstrate the author’s keen powers of observation when it comes to nature.
(Image: HarperCollins India)
When I Met the Mama Bear by Prerna Singh Bindra and illustrated by Maya Ramaswamy
Inspired by the events of real life, this is a story about mothers raising their young while managing their work. The emotional, moving tale highlights the life of forest guards –
illustrating the story of Priya in Melghat National Park in particular. It depicts her fears and sense of loneliness as she spends time away from her daughter. The story also
highlights forest guards’ dilemmas with intervening in the lives of animals – telling a dramatic story of a Mama Bear out seeking food for her family when her cubs got into trouble.
(Image: Talking Cub)
The Plant Whisperer by Sayantan Datta and illustrated by Bhavya Kumar
A strikingly illustrated picture book, this biography of ecologist Dr Jaishree Subrahmaniam follows a young woman scientist through struggles and challenges. It encourages curiosity – exploring the power of asking questions and self-discovery, of the world and of themselves. The story captures her unique finding about the fact that mustard plants growing up with unrelated plants were likely to help each other, as it
also touches upon themes of passion and perseverance.
(Image: Pratham Books)
Pedru and the Big Boom by Nandita Da Cunha and illustrated by Niharika Shenoy
Environmental crises are not easy for many – especially children – to understand. This book follows Pedru, a young boy, who is confronted with a challenge that gets him
involved in efforts to help protect and preserve his homeland. Based in Goa, the story explores mining activity and the drilling of holes into hills near Pedru’s village, and the brave fight he puts up along this emotionally moving tale.
(Image: Kalpavriksh)
'Online Encounters and More' by Multiple Authors and illustrated by Ajanta Guhathakurta
The compilation of stories highlights the central themes of technology, economic disparities, and evolving social norms – following teenagers, both girls and boys across urban and rural settings. The stories tackle pressing real-world problems and social issues, exploring the impact of the changing times on young people’s lives.
(Image: Children's Book Trust)
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