I grew up on a steady diet of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Their adventures and escapades thrilled me to bits. I was in the mood for a similar read, and A Big Mystery for Little Meena by Anamika Kundu is exactly that kind of book. It has everything I was craving: a mystery to solve, an exciting locale, and an interesting bunch of kids.
I hope Anamika has planned more books in this series. I would love to see these friends solve more mysteries.
⚡ The Quick Take
The Vibe: Old-school mystery and adventure, in the spirit of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew.
Best For:Young readers who want an adventure, and adults who grew up on kid-detective mysteries and want that feeling back.
Key Takeaway:The book shines as an adventure and as a glimpse into Army life. However, in my personal opinion, the pacing could have been better.
Wordsopedia Verdict:3.5/5
What Is A Big Mystery for Little Meena About?
Little Meena is a village girl who lives outside an Army cantonment in the deserts of Rajasthan. While minding her camel, she witnesses something untoward, and it results in her being kidnapped. Meanwhile, a gang of Army kids at school is craving an adventure. The stars align, and the kids reach just in time to save Meena. And that is just the beginning of the adventure across sandy dunes.
The Arc and the Themes
The story begins with Meena’s kidnapping and moves into the kids’ adventure. But it is not just about the adventure. It gives a good glimpse into the life of a Fauji, the dangers they face to keep us safe, and the perilous conditions and risks they are not scared to handle. It was also interesting to see the bonhomie and camaraderie among the Army families.
Who Will Like It
Kids will enjoy the mystery, the desert locale and the gang of friends. But it is not just for kids. Adults will enjoy it too, especially those who grew up on Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. It is a quick read.
The Writing
Writing for children is not easy. Anamika has done a commendable job with regard to the entire adventure. The vocabulary is simple and the narration is smooth.
The setting is easy to visualise and often I felt as if I was there in the desert with the children. I loved the representation of Army life. For a civilian like me, it was truly delightful.
However, the pacing could have been better. Chapter 1 puts us right in the action spot. But after that, the build-up to the beginning of the resolution takes a long time. We spend a lot of time in the Cantt with the kids doing regular stuff, and that flattens the tension created in Chapter 1. Tension is also broken in places by descriptive writing about less important aspects.
Sometimes the author’s voice creeps in, e.g. the reference to k.k.k.kiran. It’s not something kids of today might identify with or even understand.
❖ The Highlights
➤ An Army cantonment in the deserts of Rajasthan.
➤ Meena and the daring Army kids make for memorable characters
➤ The camaraderie among Army families, and what Faujis face to keep us safe.
❖ The Hiccups
➤ The long build-up after Chapter 1 flattens the tension.
➤ The Author’s Voice creeps in at times.
Pick up A Big Mystery for Little Meena if you are looking for an adventure read set in the exotic locales of Rajasthan.
Also, check out Kanmani & Co, The Velveteen Rabbit and The Tea Dragon Society. These are a few of my favourite books for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the setting of the book?
An Army cantonment in the deserts of Rajasthan.
- Is it only for children?
No. Adults who enjoy kid-detective adventures will like it too.
- Is it part of a series?
No, but I hope it becomes one.
- What are the primary themes explored?
Adventure, friendship, and the life of Army families.
This review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.