Sarindi and the Lucky Bird

Enjoyed by readers of age: 9 to 12

Read the most by: boys and girls

Sarindi put his last three marbles into the ring, and smoothed the dirt with his hand. He decided to give the red and blue marble one last chance. For luck he rubbed it behind his right ear, as Jaya did He kissed his flicking thumb. then he knelt and placed the marble just outside the ring, and leant his knuckles against the ground, and flicked ... Sarindi thinks that luck is like a mischievous monkey, playing hide-and-seek. And luck seems to be hiding itself from Sarindi and his family. When Sarindi's father has an accident and loses his job as a becak driver, he decides they must go to the bird market and buy a Lucky Bird. then perhaps their luck will change. Sarindi's mother doesn't believe in luck like that, and she has an idea of her own. Does the magical song of the Lucky Bird change their luck, as Sarindi's father hopes? Does it change Sarindi's luck at marbles? Or do they make their own luck in the end? ∗ First in the series featuring Sarindi and his family. ∗ Beautiful black and white illustrations give the story an extra special dimension ∗Shortlisted, Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards, 2002 ∗ Highly commended for Younger Readers in the Australian Family therapists' Award for Children's Literature 2002 Ages 8+