Xanthe & the Ruby Crown

A stunning mystery drama for ages 8-12 from the Costa
Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird - for
fans of Hannah Gold and Emma Carroll.
'What a beautiful book' HANNAH GOLD, author of
THE LAST BEAR


'Jasbinder's best book yet ... a wonderful blend of the urban
and magical' DARREN SIMPSON, author of THE MEMORY
THIEVES


'Sensitively written and set against a true historical backdrop,
this mystical story is a delight.' DAILY MAIL



Xanthe loves visiting her gran in her flat with its rooftop garden.



But Nani is becoming forgetful - and Xanthe wishes she could help
her, if only she knew how.


A mysterious cat shows her a way. It leads Xanthe to clues about
Nani's childhood, and how, long ago, she had to escape her old
life in Africa for a new one in Britain ...





A brilliant contemporary mystery which follows archaeology-obsessed
Xanthe as she uncovers her family's secrets


A tale of secrets, family, refugees, belonging and love


Set in a tower block in Nottingham, bringing Jasbinder's
trademark magical realism to an urban, everyday setting


Author Jasbinder Bilan is the winner of the Costa Book
Award, the Indie Book Award and the Times/Chicken House Children's
Fiction Competition, and has been shortlisted for the Waterstones
Children's Book Prize






'Thoughtful and intriguing' THE WEEK JUNIOR



'Very touching ... evokes a world full of wonder, glitter
and light' BIG ISSUE


'A charming story that will appeal to fans of Eva Ibbotson
and Kiran Millwood Hargrave' SCHOOL READING LIST