The Royal Rebel

The Royal Rebel

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

Rebel, Princess, Suffragette: this is the incredible true story of the life of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, a forgotten heroine of the early twentieth century. Born in 1876, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the daughter of the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab, and goddaughter of Queen Victoria. After her father lost control of his empire and was exiled to England, Sophia had a privileged but troubled upbringing that left her unsure about where she belonged – in India or England. Sensitive to injustice, she became an suffragette and fought hard to win the vote for women. This is the extraordinary story of her life.
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The Harder They Fall

The Harder They Fall

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

Cal's family are proud to live in an 'analogue' world - no wifi in their house , just an ancient black-and-white TV. At school, Cal has no choice but to live in the 21st century, coping with a range of bullies and chancers on a daily basis. When Cal's mum decides to 'rebalance' the family with a stint as volunteers at a local foodbank, Cal inadvertently discovers new kid Jacob's secret, and Jacob flips. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 13+
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Mohinder's War

Mohinder's War

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

A thrilling World War II adventure set in occupied France, featuring an Indian RAF pilot. Great for fans of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne, and those who want diverse historical fiction. Thirteen-year-old Joelle Breton stumbles across Indian-born RAF pilot Mohinder Singh when his plane crashes in occupied France and it's up to her and her parents to hide him from the Nazis. After all, her parents are brave members of the French Resistance and will do everything they can to help get Mohinder back to Britain. But when they are betrayed and tragedy strikes, Joelle and Mohinder will have to act fast if they are ever to evade the enemy. Flashbacks offer dramatic stories set in key moments of history, perfect for introducing children to historical topics.
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Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder

Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

A young Sikh footballer reaches out across the generational divide to help a lonely old man in an uplifting story from acclaimed author Bali Rai. When he spots a lonely old man watching his football games in the park, and then sees him again eating at the local gurdwara kitchen, Bobby wants to help. At first the man doesn't seem very friendly and he doesn't want to take part in the local walking football league for older people that Bobby tells him about. But when Bobby eventually changes his mind, it turns out that the man is a talented former professional footballer who has recently been widowed, and Bobby's invitation opens up a rewarding new opportunity for him to make connections in his local community.
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A Sudden Storm

A Sudden Storm

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

It's Arjan's sixteenth birthday and he's celebrating with his mates – going to see a film and then get a Nando's. He's looking forward to some good banter and wondering what might happen with Jem, who's been looking at him differently these days ...But the night comes to a dramatic and violent end when Arjan is targeted by a group of racist thugs, who single him out due to the colour of his skin and the turban that he wears as a symbol of his commitment to his faith and culture.Is the life of a good friend and beloved son really worth so little?
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Starting Eleven

Starting Eleven

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

The local youth club are putting an under-elevens squad together - and Dal, Chris, Abs and Jason are determined to be picked.They know they're the best players in their school - but what if that isn't good enough and they don't make the team? Dal knows he'd be gutted if his mates made it and he didn't . . . Then once the team is picked, they have to do the business on the pitch - go out and win! And their coach has a couple of surprise new players to help the team . . .
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Glory!

Glory!

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

Dal, Chris, Abs and Jason have made the squad for the local youth club under-lls football team. And after their first match (not as successful as they'd have liked), they are determined to prove that they've got what it takes to be winners. Rushton Reds for the Cup! Chris is a striker - but can he put the ball in the back of the net when Rushton Reds meet Evington Eagles, their chief rivals, in a big Cup game?He and his team-mates - Dal, Jason and Abs - all want to lift the trophy. But Evington Eagles are the Cup-holders and won't be easy to beat . . .
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(Un)arranged Marriage

(Un)arranged Marriage

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

MANNY WANTS TO BE A FOOTBALLER. OR A POP STAR. OR WRITE A BESTSELLER. HE DOESN'T WANT TO GET MARRIED...'Harry and Ranjit were waiting for me -- waiting to take me to Derby, to a wedding. My wedding. A wedding that I hadn't asked for, that I didn't want. To a girl who I didn't know... If they had bothered to open their eyes, they would have seen me: seventeen, angry, upset but determined -- determined to do my own thing, to choose my own path in life...'Set partly in the UK and partly in the Punjab region of India, this is a fresh, bitingly perceptive and totally up-to-the-minute look at one young man's fight to free himself from family expectations and to be himself, free to dance to his own tune.
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Tales from India

Tales from India

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

A collection of 20 stories from India's rich folklore heritage. From wicked magicians to wise old priests, charming princes and beautiful princesses, to greedy tigers and wily jackals, these magical tales are full of adventure and trickery, and infused with deeper messages about morality, Life and the world around us. Founded on the work of folklorist, Joseph Jacob, and from tales from India's Mughul period, award-winning author Bali Rai's lively retellings are a delight for readers of all ages.The book includes endnotes with a glossary, additional information as well as ideas for activities that children can do to explore the stories further.
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Voices: Now or Never

Voices: Now or Never

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

A gripping adventure in an exciting new series: Voices, Now or Never brings a young soldier, Private Fazal Khan, from his home in India to the battlefields of the Second World War.Fazal's world is now focused on Company 32 and the animals he cares for in the midst of one of the most frightening times in history. And as he and his friends make their way to the beaches of Dunkirk, Fazal must deal with even more than the terrors of a dangerous trek to reach the evacuation zone.The Company's captain defends his troops in the face of a terrible betrayal at the point of rescue: not everyone has welcomed the help brought by the Royal Indian Army Service Corps. Now Fazal is forced to question why he is even there and why he is expected to be loyal to a king whose people don't all see him as their equal.
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City of Ghosts

City of Ghosts

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

It's 1919 and Amritsar is a city on the brink of rebellion. Riots, violence and tension spill onto the streets...Bissen Singh fought bravely for the British Empire during World War One. Now he waits patiently for news from England. Gurdial, a young orphan, is desperate to marry Sohni, the daughter of a rich and evil man. And Jeevan, Gurdial's oldest friend, is swept up in the revolution and changing beyond all recognition. Bissen, Gurdial and Jeevan are looking to the future whilst trying to escape ghosts from the past. But as the fight for Amritsar reaches a terrifying climax, their lives will be changed for ever.
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The Night Run

The Night Run

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

Amritsar, India, 1919. A city on the verge of meltdown, as tensions between the local people and the British colonial rulers explode.12-year-old Arjan Singh learns that his father has been falsely charged with serious crimes and faces hanging. But there has been a terrible massacre in the city, as British troops fired on unarmed Indians, and the city is under curfew. Anger and fear have left the population seething and danger lurks around every corner.Arjan sets out on a perilous mission to save his father, in the face of armed troops, martial curfew, and vicious local bandits. Can he escape and get to his father before it's too late?
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Rani and Sukh

Rani and Sukh

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

A powerful and gripping novel that sweeps the reader from modern-day Britain to the Punjab in the 1960s and back again in a ceaseless cycle of tragedy and conflict.1950s Punjab - a secret affair goes terribly wrong and the bride commits suicide after her lover is attacked by her family. The two families part in violence and conflict.2004 Leicester - Rani and Sukh fall in love, unaware of the terrible legacy of the past and the conflict between their two families-Can tragedy be averted or will the two young people be able to escape the cycle of violence and draw the families together for the future?
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Stars!

Stars!

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

Dal, Chris, Abs and Jason have made the squad for the local youth club under-11s football team. And after their first match (not as successful as they'd have liked), they are determined to prove that they've got what it takes to be winners. Jason, Dal, Abs and Chris are about to be famous! A TV documentary is being made about their team and everyone wants the chance to shine in front of the cameras. But what is more important - looking like a star, or playing well as part of the team? When Abs takes his posing a bit too far, is he getting too big for his boots?
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Web of Darkness

Web of Darkness

Bali Rai

Young Adult / Cultural / Contemporary Romance

When the incredibly attractive Benedict befriends Lily online, she is thrilled. He is so much more mature than boys her age and he seems to know exactly how she's feeling. She finds herself opening up to him, telling him things she wouldn't tell anybody else.And she needs someone to confide in more than ever before as a spate of apparent suicides rocks her school - and her group of friends. But is Benedict the kind, charming person that he seemed to be initially? Lily soon realises that now, with half our lives spent online, you can be found - even if you try to hide . . .
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