The Mystery of the Graveyard Gold by Vidya V. is a captivating children’s mystery novel that combines adventure, friendship, and a quest for hidden treasure. Here’s a brief review by my daughter 11 year old daughter, Ayesha Khator (Class 6):
Title: The Mystery of the Graveyard Gold
Author: Vidya V.
Genre: Children’s Mystery, Adventure
Illustrations: Charbak Dipta
Publisher: Scholastic India
Type : Paperback
Length: 128 pages
Recommended Age Group: 8-12 years
Rating: ★★★★☆
Characters:
- Aarav: A responsible older brother who looks out for his sister.
- Karthik: A cheerful and adventurous boy dealing with his parents’ separation.
- Asha: A curious and determined girl, Hermoine 2.0
Themes: The book explores themes of friendship, perseverance and the importance of history. It also addresses family dynamics and the value of teamwork.
Writing Style: Vidya V.’s writing is engaging and descriptive, making the graveyard and the treasure hunt come alive. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique traits.
Overall Impression: The story is set in an urban city of Bengaluru with local elements and a spooky theme. Common among the children of our age Kartik challenges Aarav to come to a graveyard in the eerie hours of night. Here they encounter burglars and while escaping they stumble upon a quaint brass vessel with gold coins sparking a detective zeal in the children. After convincing the boys, brave Asha forms the detective club named AKA and they go on to find answers to this mystery. Whose gold is it? Does it belong to some king or has it been stolen from some rich man? This book is a delightful read for children aged 8-12 years who enjoy mysteries and adventures.
What I liked :
Here are some key elements that make the story special:
- Character Development: Aarav and Karthik start as rivals but become close friends through their shared adventure. This is quite common in strong friendships. I remember my mother telling stories of her childhood. One of her best friends today was her hard-core competitor during school life.
- Asha’s Role: Aarav’s sister, Asha, is a determined and curious character who plays a crucial role in solving the mystery. She is my favourite character as through her, the author has mentioned many interesting facts.
- Setting: The story is set in the familiar locales of Bangalore, such as Ulsoor, Cambridge Road and Indiranagar. The setting makes it relatable to readers like us.
- Catchy cover: The cover is filled with a mixture or a contrast of warm and cool colours. The stamp is my favourite part. The back cover is quite eerie and gives Halloween vibes.
- Favourite chapter: Thinking like detectives: I I still remember my grade 3 and 4 in which I along with a few of my friends started with our own detective club called the “Secret Society” which was fun. I could relate everything in this chapter and book that is the making of the club, following suspects and facing failures but finally nailing it.
Recommendation: Highly recommended for young readers who love a good mystery and adventure. This book may inspire you to become a detective! Perfect for the fans of “The Mystery Series” and “Famous Five” or “Secret Seven”. PROVES THAT KIDS CAN SOMETIMES DO BETTER THAN ADULTS. (Don’t underestimate us.)
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Disclaimer: Ayesha is part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the author & publisher via kbc.
