Zainab Iqbal
Class IX (DPS Srinagar)
We’re all familiar with nature, and we’ve even had to deal with rouge panthers, tigers and leopards, which is a lot more than most cities have to. Yet, it is safe to say that none of us are as in tune with nature as October and her father.
October, a young girl, has lived her whole life in a forest on the outskirts of a city. She knows when the trees will begin to shed, when rain is on its way, and takes care of injured woodland creatures. Truly the ultimate idealised life.
But when the decision is made for October to go to school, she is exposed to a world she never knew existed.
This is a beautiful story with poignant commentary on growing up, fitting in and finding the beauty in everything. The October, October author Katya Balen’s writing style consists of long, flowing sentences and immersive descriptions, with unfiltered childish emotion seeping through the pages. Though intended for younger audiences, the characters capture readers’ attention and keep it there. It’s a story anyone can appreciate, a message everyone is familiar with.
