The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood

Farhana Islam takes a concept that most readers will be familiar with – the school trip, but manages to offer much more in this new series following the chaotic adventures of our unlikely hero Mina Mahmood.

Whilst most children will relate to the main characters feeling nervous as they embark on an overnight school trip for the first time, and unfortunate numbers will also relate to the threat of a dominant bullying character within the class cohort, Islam also envelopes the reader in the family life of Mina and her friends offering some readers meaningful representation, and others a deep insight into a culture they may not be familiar with.

The funny, familial tone adopted throughout, coupled with illustrations which feel very reminiscent of the sketches children might draw themselves, help to give this title a diary feel and consequently as a reader your involvement feels almost conspiratorial. Certainly this approach will help newly independent readers to engage and maintain interest, as will the short chapters which end reliably in a manner which encourages you to read on.

Clearly intended as the first in a series, and offering much needed breadth to the diet for our younger junior readers, this is a welcome new title.