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Children's reading lists

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

An image with a headshot of author Nazneen Ahmed Pathak. She is on top of a pink and yellow collage style background with bold typography that says '21 Questions'. There is an image of her book City of Stolen Magic, two snooker balls and a cue, and a yellow mug.

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Interviews

‘Children’s literature can tell the most profound stories’: 21 Questions with Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

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Features

The story behind ‘City of Stolen Magic’

Rise of Rebel Queens

The epic and breathtaking sequel to City of Stolen Magic, and an unmissable read which reimagines our history in a way you've never seen before. 
 
'A wonderful new voice' Katherine Rundell 
 
India, 1856. Chompa and her fierce army of magical children are in hiding, running a secret school to spread magic to those who need it. Their mission is more important than ever, as their enemy, Devaynes, is now the all-powerful Governor of India. 
 
Then Chompa learns that Devaynes is on the hunt for a legendary amulet, one which will allow him to summon an army of djinn. Chompa must get to it before Devaynes does, or all will be lost. 
 
She and her friends must split up and take three perilous journeys: to Bengal bandit country, to the Indian jungle, and to the British Museum in London. 
 
But if they find it, will they be able to resist unleashing the djinn themselves?

Nazneen Ahmed Pathak is a British Bangladeshi writer, historian and visual artist who lives in the port city of Southampton. She spent most of her teen years in commuter belt suburbia writing, reading, and listening to melancholy indie music, going on to study English literature at the University of Warwick and completing a PhD in Bangladeshi literature at the University of Oxford. As a historian she researches the geography and history of migration, a subject which is also at the heart of much of her fiction, poetry and visual arts practice. She was selected as one of 12 mentees from 2000 applicants for the 2016/17 inaugural round of Penguin Random House's Write Now mentorship scheme which aims to support and publish underrepresented writers. 
 
She has held residencies at Southampton Central Libraries, John Hansard Gallery, Southampton Museums and Archives, and the Francis Crick Institute in association with Poet in the City. She has been published in Poem: International English Language Quarterly, Places of Poetry: Mapping the Nation in Verse (OneWorld Publications), The Puffin Book of Big Dreams (Puffin), and A Match Made in Heaven: British Muslim Women Write About Love and Desire (Hope Road Press). 
 
Nazneen's debut children's novel was City of Stolen Magic.

India, 1856. Chompa and her fierce army of magical children are in hiding, running a secret school to spread magic and literacy to those who need it. Their mission is more important than ever, as their enemy, Devaynes, is now the all-powerful Governor of India. 
 
Then Chompa learns that Devaynes is on the hunt for a legendary amulet, one which will allow him to summon an army of djinn. Chompa must get to it before Devaynes does, or all will be lost. 
 
Chompa and her friends must split up and take three perilous journeys in search of the amulet: to Bengal bandit country, territory of an exiled Hindu queen; the Indian jungle, home of a haughty Muslim queen who has formed an uncomfortable alliance with the Company; and the British Museum, prison to countless treasures stolen in the name of Queen Victoria. 
 
But if they find it, will they be able to resist unleashing the djinn themselves? 
 
The epic and breathtaking sequel to City of Stolen Magic, and an unmissable read which reimagines our history in a way you've never seen before.

Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

Sandhya Prabhat

Exhilarating, thoughtful and rich . . . Easily one of the year's best books for children

A wonderful writer who paints a thoroughly convincing heroine . . . Highly imaginative

Ahmed Pathak is a wonderful new voice; the book took her years to write, and it shows in the depth and care of each beat of the story

City of Stolen Magic is phenomenal - vivid storytelling that skilfully and unflinchingly weaves colonial history into an epic, breathtaking, magical adventure

One of the best children's books I have read in a decade . . . Cracking pace, fabulous magic system, characters, relationships, the whole package!

Dazzling from start to finish. A spellbinding adventure fused with Indian folklore which sees glorious heroine Chompa journey from rural India to Victorian London as she searches for her mother

An unexpected gem of a story. Packed with atmosphere - whether the narrow streets and red dust of Dacca or the grimy Dickensian squalor of Spittlelfields - it's populated by larger-than-life characters you will love and hate. A stellar setting, a gut-punch of a twist, and an unforgettable heroine. This has all the hallmarks of classic children's storytelling

A gripping and spellbinding fantasy woven together with threads of magic, secrets, and colonial history. An incredible cast of characters and a truly multicultural Victorian London that we don't see often enough in books

Exhilarating and enthralling - I relished every page. A glorious blend of history, magic and thrilling adventure with a truly unforgettable heroine, this book is rare, rich and special

A wonderfully vibrant debut . . . A vivid magical adventure filled with thrilling characters, pacy storytelling and important historical detail. Children and adults are in for such a treat

An incredible story. I'm blown away by the layers of detail and drama, along with a history we don't see spoken of enough . . . A wonderful, thought-provoking story of magic, community and power - sure to enchant readers

Ahmed Pathak draws heavily on real history to open up conversations about colonialism and empire, while weaving a vivid and richly imagined adventure. A vibrant and important debut, full of magic and mystery.

Imaginative . . . Bursting with dynamic characters, atmospheric locations and a fast-paced plot

A spellbinding, epic and heart-racing magical adventure from an exquisite new storytelling talent. 
 
'Ahmed Pathak is a wonderful new voice; the book took her years to write, and it shows in the depth and care of each beat of the story' - Katherine Rundell 
 
'A wonderful writer who paints a thoroughly convincing heroine' - The Daily Telegraph 
 
India, 1855. The British rule, and all across the country, Indian magic is being stamped out. 
 
More terrifying still, people born with magic are being snatched from their homes. Rumour is that they are being taken across the sea - to England - by the all-powerful, sinister Company. 
 
When Chompa's home is attacked and her mother viciously kidnapped, Chompa - born with powerful and dangerous magic that she has always been forbidden from using - must travel to the smoky, bustling streets of East London in search of her. But Chompa will discover far more treachery in London than she had bargained for - and will learn that every act of her rare magic comes with a price . . . 
 
'Cracking pace, fabulous magic system, characters, relationships . . . The whole package' - Louie Stowell 
 
'An unexpected gem of a story . . . A stellar setting, a gut-punch of a twist, and an unforgettable heroine. This has all the hallmarks of classic children's storytelling' - Nizrana Farook 
 
'Phenomenal' - Sophie Anderson 
 
'Dazzling from start to finish' - Abi Elphinstone 
 
'A gripping and spellbinding fantasy woven together with threads of magic, secrets and colonial history . . . An incredible cast of characters and a truly multicultural Victorian London that we don't see often enough' - Rashmi Sirdeshpande 
 
'A wonderfully vibrant debut . . . A vivid magical adventure' - Jasbinder Bilan

Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

Praise for City of Stolen Magic

Exhilarating, thoughtful and rich . . . Easily one of the year's best books for children

A wonderful writer who paints a thoroughly convincing heroine . . . Highly imaginative

Ahmed Pathak is a wonderful new voice; the book took her years to write, and it shows in the depth and care of each beat of the story

Exhilarating, thoughtful and rich . . . Easily one of the year's best books for children

A wonderful writer who paints a thoroughly convincing heroine . . . Highly imaginative

Ahmed Pathak is a wonderful new voice; the book took her years to write, and it shows in the depth and care of each beat of the story

Exhilarating, thoughtful and rich . . . Easily one of the year's best books for children

A wonderful writer who paints a thoroughly convincing heroine . . . Highly imaginative

Ahmed Pathak is a wonderful new voice; the book took her years to write, and it shows in the depth and care of each beat of the story

Books by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

Articles featuring Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

‘Children’s literature can tell the most profound stories’: 21 Questions with Nazneen Ahmed Pathak

The story behind ‘City of Stolen Magic’

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