Xanthe & the Ruby Crown

A stunning new children’s novel from the Costa Award-winning

author of Asha & the Spirit Bird.

PRAISE FOR ASHA AND THE SPIRIT BIRD:

‘An evocative debut novel … satisfyingly classic in feel’

GUARDIAN

‘A heartfelt and mystical children’s adventure story.’

TELEGRAPH

Xanthe loves visiting her grandmother in her tower-block flat

with its lush rooftop garden.

When Nani is diagnosed with dementia, Xanthe is determined to

help her remember who she is and her family history.

A mysterious cat leads Xanthe to some unexpected answers; secret

mementoes from Nani’s past which reveal her as a girl who,

long ago, was forced to leave everything she loved behind …

The fourth novel by bestselling, Costa Award-winning

author Jasbinder Bilan; author of Asha & the Spirit

Bird, Tamarind & the Star of Ishta and Aarti

& the Blue Gods

Follows archaeology-obsessed Xanthe as she uncovers her

family’s secrets

A tale of secrets, family, refugees, belonging and love

Set in a tower block in Nottingham, bringing Jasbinder’s

trademark magical realism to an urban, everyday setting