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Chasing Wind
A touching story set in India, Chasing Wind is a tale of two girls breaking barriers of class, distance, and time to forge an unforgettable friendship.
When twelve-year-old Siya travels from New Delhi to a small mountain village, she expects a relaxing summer vacation with her grandmother. A girl from the mountains quickly changes her plans for a lazy holiday. Pari is everything Siya isn’t: loud, carefree, and adventurous. She climbs over walls and rolls down hills without a second thought.
They come from different worlds. Siya’s city family has a housekeeper, a cook, and a driver; Pari’s dad cooks for Siya’s grandmother. As the girls share adventures in the forest and village, their worlds quickly intertwine. But all too soon, their time together ends, and Siya returns to the city. They never forget each other and keep in touch through letters—until their friendship is tested by a tragedy neither of them expects.
When twelve-year-old Siya travels from New Delhi to a small mountain village, she expects a relaxing summer vacation with her grandmother. A girl from the mountains quickly changes her plans for a lazy holiday. Pari is everything Siya isn’t: loud, carefree, and adventurous. She climbs over walls and rolls down hills without a second thought.
They come from different worlds. Siya’s city family has a housekeeper, a cook, and a driver; Pari’s dad cooks for Siya’s grandmother. As the girls share adventures in the forest and village, their worlds quickly intertwine. But all too soon, their time together ends, and Siya returns to the city. They never forget each other and keep in touch through letters—until their friendship is tested by a tragedy neither of them expects.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 2, 2020
“I don’t know what’s weirder: Pari understanding monkey language or a monkey actually saying hi to me”
There’s a lot in life to explore. Confined inside four walls is not all that is. People lead different lives and it is never up to us to judge others because they don’t have a life we do.
‘Chasing Wind’ is the story of a twelve-year-old city girl who goes to her grandmother’s village for summer vacation and comes back home changed and dazed. While there are many things I can say about this book, I can’t exactly say that some parts of t are problematic because the author is literally a child and this story is a child’s take on life away from the city.
Things I liked:
-Character development of the protagonist.
-Sheer imagery of nature and its wonders provided.
-Relatability of the characters
Things I disliked:
-Some problematic aspects I can’t seem to brush away
-Twisting of words and unnecessary vocabulary used
Target audience – Children only
There’s a lot in life to explore. Confined inside four walls is not all that is. People lead different lives and it is never up to us to judge others because they don’t have a life we do.
‘Chasing Wind’ is the story of a twelve-year-old city girl who goes to her grandmother’s village for summer vacation and comes back home changed and dazed. While there are many things I can say about this book, I can’t exactly say that some parts of t are problematic because the author is literally a child and this story is a child’s take on life away from the city.
Things I liked:
-Character development of the protagonist.
-Sheer imagery of nature and its wonders provided.
-Relatability of the characters
Things I disliked:
-Some problematic aspects I can’t seem to brush away
-Twisting of words and unnecessary vocabulary used
Target audience – Children only
April 12, 2021
Twelve-year-old Siya Mehta is a diligent student living in the bustling metropolis of Delhi, India. When her parents take a business trip to Europe during the summer holidays, Siya gets the rare opportunity to spend two weeks with her Nanni in the mountain town of Bundla. Leaving her television and society-conscious friends behind, Siya embarks on a journey of self-discovery she does not expect. A new friend named Pari introduces Siya to a world unencumbered by the burdens of modern society as she teaches Siya to climb trees and embrace simplicity. Following this relatively short visit, Siya views her life differently and returns as a more world-wise youth.
Impressively, this lovely coming-of-age story is written by a teenager who has blended vivid descriptions with the colloquial language and feelings of young adulthood. Short chapters are punctuated by occasional black-and-white illustrations that enhance particular moments in the story and add visual appeal to this middle grade novel. While most of the story is written in a traditional style, occasional incorporations of letters and text messages add flavor to the narrative.
On the surface, this is a story about a young girl who has grown up in a big city and learns to appreciate the beauty of a life in a small, mountain town. However, differences between class and income become apparent as Siya and Pari interact. Pari’s parents work for Siya’s grandmother, and everything they have is precious. The reader observes pieces of the strata that exist in Indian society while Siya begins to understand that not everyone lives as she does.
The final quarter of the book reads as something of an epilogue following the life-changing two weeks Siya spends in Bundla. Spanning the years between when Siya returns to her home in Delhi to her second year of University, readers are able to observe the changes that both Siya and Pari experience because of the time they spent together.
Though this book focuses on a middle grade protagonist, older readers will appreciate the story, as well. It is a heartfelt tale of friendship and acceptance and is an enjoyable addition to middle grade libraries.
I received a copy of this book through BookSirens and I chose to leave this review.
Impressively, this lovely coming-of-age story is written by a teenager who has blended vivid descriptions with the colloquial language and feelings of young adulthood. Short chapters are punctuated by occasional black-and-white illustrations that enhance particular moments in the story and add visual appeal to this middle grade novel. While most of the story is written in a traditional style, occasional incorporations of letters and text messages add flavor to the narrative.
On the surface, this is a story about a young girl who has grown up in a big city and learns to appreciate the beauty of a life in a small, mountain town. However, differences between class and income become apparent as Siya and Pari interact. Pari’s parents work for Siya’s grandmother, and everything they have is precious. The reader observes pieces of the strata that exist in Indian society while Siya begins to understand that not everyone lives as she does.
The final quarter of the book reads as something of an epilogue following the life-changing two weeks Siya spends in Bundla. Spanning the years between when Siya returns to her home in Delhi to her second year of University, readers are able to observe the changes that both Siya and Pari experience because of the time they spent together.
Though this book focuses on a middle grade protagonist, older readers will appreciate the story, as well. It is a heartfelt tale of friendship and acceptance and is an enjoyable addition to middle grade libraries.
I received a copy of this book through BookSirens and I chose to leave this review.
October 20, 2020
I was looking to read a light read and I was really lucky to come across this one. I loved the way the story enfolds. The book along with the narrative had illustrations in every chapter highlighting one scene of the chapter. Loved the bond Siya and Pari share. I also enjoyed the narrative of the book very well described I felt I was living along with Siya the entire journey. Personally I till date love writing letters and receiving letters too though we are in a digital email age so I am not going to give a spoiler but letters are. Part of this beautiful novel which made me love the novel all the more, It very subtly teaches you some lessons in life and the way to live life. It had a very positive and uplifting impact on me. There was just a little phase in the book where I felt the book could have been better and crisp a it felt a little flat a little though towards the end the book did make me smile and it did have a positive and happy ending as I wished for. I enjoyed chasing the wind and chasing the girls Siya and Pari. They reinforced my belief in living in the -resent and enjoying the moment just like the author quotes ‘’ situations in life change us, tough ones challlenge us more” but finding simple things interesting and fun in life can make your overcome all struggles big or small.
May 17, 2021
3.5 stars
This was a good story.
I got this book out at the library listed as young adult but I think it should be in the children's section. It is a middle grade novel in my opinion.
Basically it is about 12 year old Siya who takes a 2 week vacation in the summer. She goes to the mountains where her grandmother, Nanni, lives. It is a nice change from the busy city life of Delhi. She meets a girl named Pari who is very different from Siya. Pari is adventurous and wild, while Siya is more focused on her studies and used to her city life. But Siya and Pari become friends and Pari introduces Siya to a more free lifestyle. Siya is sad to leave at the end of her vacation but she and Pari promise to exchange letters. But their lives are so different and it is hard to know if their friendship will last.
This was a sweet story and I thought it was cool how it was written by a high school student but I think it could have been a bit better writing and at some points it was a little bit boring. Overall it was pretty decent but could have used improvements.
This was a good story.
I got this book out at the library listed as young adult but I think it should be in the children's section. It is a middle grade novel in my opinion.
Basically it is about 12 year old Siya who takes a 2 week vacation in the summer. She goes to the mountains where her grandmother, Nanni, lives. It is a nice change from the busy city life of Delhi. She meets a girl named Pari who is very different from Siya. Pari is adventurous and wild, while Siya is more focused on her studies and used to her city life. But Siya and Pari become friends and Pari introduces Siya to a more free lifestyle. Siya is sad to leave at the end of her vacation but she and Pari promise to exchange letters. But their lives are so different and it is hard to know if their friendship will last.
This was a sweet story and I thought it was cool how it was written by a high school student but I think it could have been a bit better writing and at some points it was a little bit boring. Overall it was pretty decent but could have used improvements.
April 23, 2021
This was a wonderful book that explores how deeply a friendship can impact someone's life. Siya's visit to her grandmother's house in the rural part of India changes her perspective on life as she meets Pari. I loved seeing how much the girls learned from their time together as they grew older. That being said, I do think this book is meant more for younger audiences. But overall, it was a light, enjoyable read!
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 8, 2024
Chasing wind was a really touching read about Siya’s and Pari’s friendship development.
As muh as the plot looks sometimes cliché it was a well-written, easy to follow and get into type of read. I liked the illustrations in the books which were showing a scene in the chapters.
It’s a perfect read for young adults to learn more about friendship and a different culture.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As muh as the plot looks sometimes cliché it was a well-written, easy to follow and get into type of read. I liked the illustrations in the books which were showing a scene in the chapters.
It’s a perfect read for young adults to learn more about friendship and a different culture.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews