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A review by literately
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
3.0
I read this book with my kids (ages 8 + 7) for our homeschool curriculum (Build Your Library).
I was SO EXCITED for this book based on the premise, and the fact that it delves into the Hindu belief system and Indian culture. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed when it comes to how those two subjects were represented in the book.
The book is written so casually, and so AMERICANIZED. But… Americanized in a very gen x or millennial generation mainstream way. The references often felt like they were more for adult readers than children. It made many elements of the story feel very superficial… lacking true depth and ignoring the rich cultural roots it was meant to be tied to.
While I was disappointed, overall my children did enjoy the story (although some chapters felt very long and dull while others crammed in a bunch of action into just a few short paragraphs). Along with the other books in our curriculum, I believe it helped introduce them to some beliefs and tales from Hinduism in a lighthearted way. Now when we explore these topics further, they will recognize them and it will be fun to expand on the imagery and concepts that were presented in this story.
Honestly, I’m not tempted to read the rest of the series or allow my 8 year old to keep reading until he is older.
I was SO EXCITED for this book based on the premise, and the fact that it delves into the Hindu belief system and Indian culture. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed when it comes to how those two subjects were represented in the book.
The book is written so casually, and so AMERICANIZED. But… Americanized in a very gen x or millennial generation mainstream way. The references often felt like they were more for adult readers than children. It made many elements of the story feel very superficial… lacking true depth and ignoring the rich cultural roots it was meant to be tied to.
While I was disappointed, overall my children did enjoy the story (although some chapters felt very long and dull while others crammed in a bunch of action into just a few short paragraphs). Along with the other books in our curriculum, I believe it helped introduce them to some beliefs and tales from Hinduism in a lighthearted way. Now when we explore these topics further, they will recognize them and it will be fun to expand on the imagery and concepts that were presented in this story.
Honestly, I’m not tempted to read the rest of the series or allow my 8 year old to keep reading until he is older.