{"product_id":"asha-the-spirit-bird-and-tamarind-the-star-of-ishta-by-jasbinder-bilan-2-books-collection-set-paperback-jasbinder-bilan-and-asha-the-spirit-bird-by-jasbinder-bilan","title":"Asha and the Spirit Bird and Related Reads 2 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAsha \u0026amp; the Spirit Bird\u003cbr\u003e\nTamarind \u0026amp; the Star of Ishta\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nTwo luminous middle-grade adventures by Costa-winning Jasbinder Bilan come together in this paperback collection. Asha \u0026amp; the Spirit Bird follows a courageous village girl as she faces moneylenders, danger, and a desperate quest to find her missing father, guided by a lamagaia—an enigmatic bird she believes to be the spirit of her grandmother. Tamarind \u0026amp; the Star of Ishta shifts between England and India, tracing a girl’s journey into her mother’s past and her own cultural heritage, as she encounters the mysterious spirit Ishta amid monsoon-scented gardens and ancestral stories. The pair of novels blends realism with magical realism, weaving themes of family, memory, faith, and resilience into accessible, page-turning narratives. This set is ideal for readers who relish richly drawn settings, character-driven quests, and stories that honor tradition while inviting fresh perspectives. Perfect for gifting to curious minds, it invites conversations about belonging, heritage, and the power of storytelling to heal and connect generations.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Collection Covers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAcross these two immersive tales, Jasbinder Bilan explores how identity, family history, and cultural roots shape who we become. In Asha \u0026amp; the Spirit Bird, a dangerous journey tests loyalty, courage, and the bonds that sustain a family under economic strain, all braided with Hindu beliefs and spirit-kingdom imagery that adds texture without overshadowing realism. In Tamarind \u0026amp; the Star of Ishta, a young girl’s visit to India becomes a doorway to memory and lineage, where Ishta’s presence helps her understand her mother’s life and the complex landscape of grief and belonging. The collection offers lush landscapes, vivid atmosphere, and a gentle bridge between contemporary life and myth, making it a compelling read for school discussions, family reading time, and independent discovery alike. Readers will gain empathy for characters navigating loss, migration, and intergenerational dialogue, while savoring prose that feels both intimate and expansive.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook-by-Book Guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAsha \u0026amp; the Spirit Bird\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAsha’s life on a Himalayan foothill farm is upended when a moneylender’s threat deepens, and her father vanishes. Determined to save her family’s home, she journeys with her friend Jeevan, guided by lamagaia—the believed spirit of her grandmother in the form of a bird. The voyage blends stark reality with mythic guidance, testing trust, resilience, and the strength of community. As danger looms and hope flickers, Asha’s courage and faith become beacons for those she loves. Bilan’s storytelling fuses cultural specificity with universal courage, delivering a vivid adventure that also honors family bonds, faith, and the healing power of belief.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTamarind \u0026amp; the Star of Ishta\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nTamarind grows up in England with a father who cherishes Indian roots but cannot answer every question about her late mother. When she travels to India to meet extended family, she enters a Himalayan mansion where monsoon rains and memories mingle. There she encounters Ishta, a spirit who helps Tamarind uncover truths about her mother’s life and death, while she navigates complex feelings about heritage and belonging. The narrative, told in Tamarind’s clear voice, blends contemporary family dynamics with magical elements to explore memory, identity, and reconciliation. It’s a heartfelt, atmospheric tale that invites readers to consider how we carry our past into the present and shape our future.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho This Set Is Perfect For:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis collection is ideal for young readers who crave adventurous journeys grounded in culture and emotion. Suitable for ages roughly 8–12, it appeals to fans of magical realism, myth-infused folklore, and character-driven quests. It’s an excellent choice for parents and teachers seeking thoughtful discussion starters about family history, migration, and resilience. Gift buyers will find two complete, stand-alone stories that pair beautifully for shared reading, classroom study, or independent enjoyment. The dual narratives also offer a rich entry point for book clubs and classroom libraries seeking diverse perspectives within accessible, emotionally resonant storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eTwo award-winning, culturally rich adventures by a celebrated author.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEngaging blend of realism and magical elements that spark imagination.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAccessible language and compelling pacing suitable for mid-grade readers.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDelivers themes of family, heritage, resilience, and belonging.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBeautiful, paperback edition makes a thoughtful gift set.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGreat for guided discussions, classroom reading, and family time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nJasbinder Bilan is a British author known for weaving magical realism with richly textured cultural heritage. She rose to prominence after winning the Costa Book Award for Children’s Books in 2019 for Asha \u0026amp; the Spirit Bird, a debut that established her distinctive voice—bright, humane, and deeply rooted in family and tradition. Bilan has continued to publish stories that explore identity, memory, and resilience, including Tamarind \u0026amp; the Star of Ishta. Her work is celebrated for its lyrical prose, imaginative world-building, and ability to make complex human experiences accessible to younger readers. Her novels are praised for authenticity, emotional warmth, and the courage to address difficult topics with hope and empathy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You’ll Love This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis two-book collection offers a powerful reading experience: two complete, standalone stories that share a common thread of cultural exploration and emotional growth. Owning both titles provides breadth—two distinct settings, voices, and journeys—while delivering cohesive themes about family, memory, and finding one’s place in a changing world. The set is a thoughtful gift for readers embarking on their own journeys of discovery, a reliable classroom resource for discussions about heritage and identity, and a welcome bedside companion for quiet, reflective evenings. With its lush world-building and compassionate storytelling, this collection invites readers to dream bigger, explore different cultures with curiosity and respect, and celebrate the resilience that lives in every coming-of-age story.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jasbinder Bilan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57070689124726,"sku":"MAN-U0205-9789124072308","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/6587\/2211\/files\/71GwY21PTqL.jpg?v=1768490750","url":"https:\/\/skymartbooks.com\/products\/asha-the-spirit-bird-and-tamarind-the-star-of-ishta-by-jasbinder-bilan-2-books-collection-set-paperback-jasbinder-bilan-and-asha-the-spirit-bird-by-jasbinder-bilan","provider":"Skymart Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}