Book Review: The Itsy Bitsy Spyder
Thanks to Blogchatter for this fun and relatable book. Why relatable because even I have an irritable tween at home, I don’t know how he will behave and argue (read: reason me) in next couple of years. They want to make everything complicated, as if the entire world is against them specially mothers. Mothers want them not to eat junk, not to spend too much time on video games and video chats with friends, staying up late and the biggest enemy studying.
Genre: children’s Fiction
Reading Level: Teenagers of course, 13-18yrs
Total Pages: 68
Author: Apeksha Rao
About the Author:
Apeksha Rao is a multi-genre author from Bangalore.
She has authored Along came a Spyder, which is story of a 17 yrs. old girl who has a dream to become a spy. Apeksha has written many short stories based on the same series, The Spyder which are available on her blog
She is a voracious reader and foodie.
Her couple of upcoming projects include horror and detective novel.
Review:
Book Cover:
Although we have been taught not to judge a book by its cover, as a reviewer I can’t ignore it. Just like food. Before our tongue we eat with eyes. The food needs to look tempting for us to take it in plate. We would not even taste a curry ultimately delicious but disaster in presentation, right.
Coming back to This book’s cover. The book cover is very clear, it helps us understand the plot. 5 people can be seen one grandmother, one teenager, a doctor and a couple. The couple can be considered as parents. So, these are the 5 main characters around whom the story will revolve.
My Take on Story:
Parents generally forget that kids do what they see parents do rather than what parents ask them to do. The story has the same plot. Its story of Joshi family. Samira Joshi, the teenager and trouble maker, is intelligent and strong headed. She has been pursued by her mother to do medicine, but she has other plans for her life. What she has learnt since her childhood is absolutely different, from her mother’s new plans.
Samira is telling her story to a psychiatrist Doc Sen. Where her mother has tricked or forced to go. Her story has lot of family drama, emotions, relatives as well as travel from Goa to Pakistan. Its due to her parent’s profession, she has faced many challenges and even relationship with relatives is gone sour. Her grandmother is a silent observer and talks only when needed, although she doesn’t approve parenting style of her Son and DIL.
Samira excels in krav Maga which is a military self defence fighting system as well as good with technology that she hacks bank account of her society secretary, because is laundering money.
Some slipside
Downside of the novel, due to which I retained one star is that, the end looked abrupt to me. I wanted to know what went wrong when Samira was 5 years old when she was in Pakistan. The epilogue also doesn’t help much. I am sure the author has planned for the continuation of this story in her next novel.
As I am very much interested in knowing whether Samira chooses her path as per her own wish or goes by parents’ decision.
This book is a good read. The language used in the book is easy and casual. All teenagers as well as their parents can relate easily.
You will keep smiling from eye to eye, it will relax you, and I am sure you want to know why are Samira’s parents training her in Krav Maga and what is that she wants to pursue.
You can grab this book on Amazon, its available in Kindle edition The Itsy Bitsy Spyder
I would rate this book 4 star out of 5
Such a fun title and an eye catching cover! Thanks for sharing an honest and detailed review. Going to lookout for this book and enjoy a quick read.
I loved the book cover, sounds promising
This Review did succeed in making me curious about the book ; i think im totally getting it . Loved the book cover as well. Totally sharing it with my teenage nephews.
This sounds like my kinda book. I will definitely check it out, i am looking for a good read.
Seems like an interesting read. My nieces are teenagers and I can already relate to this book 😂. I will try to pick it up and read it.
The review of this book is quiet intriguing now I would also like to know what happens with Samaira which path to choose I also like the tonality of your review which is very balanced
I was looking for book recommendations & got ur blog at the right time.
The book cover is attractive itself to make me want to read it.
While my kids are still small but I think I need to still get the book and prepare myself. At the rate at which they are talking I better brace myself and be ready. N yes I also believe that kids learn n somewhere replicate what they see frm us.
The title and the cover is so unique, shall add this book in my list. Your review was in detail that helped me to chose this book.
Always a challenge and the behavior of this relationship is something that has so many twists and turns . Great review and loving the artwork cover though
The review of the book is done in such a gtrat manner that it actually made me to read this book. Such a lovely post.
The title seems very interesting and a must read for modern day parenting. We as parents are already taken aback when our 4 year olds outwit and outsmart us. I think the book will help us prepare for the future.
I am surely going to buy this book for my daughter who also aspires to be a spy when she grows up. Although my daughter is just 8, she really loves the world of solving mysteries and unveiling secrets. There is a joke in our house that our best kept secrets are going to be out soon (lol!)
Have been reading some good things about Apeksha’s book. Havent read it as yet. Your review has piqued my interest, and will surely check it out soon. Thanks for your recommendation.
Thank you for sharing your detailed review about this book I really like the title on cover of the good and would surely be getting one for me
The title and the book cover both are very interesting. The story of the book is also very much tempting. Would love to read the book.
Seems like a good one. But do teenagers today read books ? I’m not aware of any teens so not sure. But curious with the lifestyle many have these days.
I heard about Apeksha’s book. Teenager is a tricky age and being a mother of a teenager, I would like to pick up this book.
I also want to read this type of book which talks about the relationship between teen and mother because I am curious to know too what goes in their mind at this age. Thanks for the review.
I love your honest review on book. Teen and parent relation is little tough , this book really help to understand what on should do.
Writing balanced reviews without hampering the book’s glory is an art, and you have nailed it! I will surely check out Apeksha’s book. Thank you for this review.
This is really interesting story and plot, my daughter loves reading and this is so apt for her age, will surely get this for her !!
Well I have a teenager at home.. Would love to read this and see if I can relate to this. Choosing career path is Always a challenge be it you or your kids.
This sounds like such an interesting book. I am definitely going to read this one as i like the premise of this one.
Being a mommy of pre teen the concept of this novel looks really relatable to me. I loved the way you had shared your honest review. part 2 may have hooks that felt missing in the part 1.
The Itsy Bitsy Spyder is such a catchy book title. It immediately got my attention. The cover is smartly done and your review is the icing on the cake. Will surely read this one.
Intredip Novel sounds intriguing and thought provoking for parents and kids. Agree kids follow what their parents practices. The review has build interest in me. Would check out.
I am so glad to go through this review today. I wanted to gift one of my relative’s 15 year old daughter something on her birthday and here you go.
The concept and book cover is quite alluring to understand teens. Surely going to share this with my nephews and niece.
What a detailed and beautiful Review Ujjwal. Though my son is way too young for this, but I definitely love to read the teen fiction. Will look out for this one on Amazon.
This looks like a good read. The cover itself is so intriguing. I will get one copy of this to read to my kids.
I really like the way you write your reviews, giving only the limited details and leaving the reader all the more curious to know the story. I, actually find it quite interesting and the cover and the title of the book are an added charm.
You hit me hooked to this one buddy. I am sure going to read Samira’s tale as soon as I get some time
The title seems so interesting, am I buying this for my niece and surely catching it up myself too, so hooked with your review here
the cover definitely looks nice. I quite like the title also. Thanks for sharing this interview.
Thanks for sharing the book review of this seemingly fun book related to teenagers and parents tussle. It looks a one time read so surely picking it up for a quick read.
The cover is indeed cute and makes one curious about what to expect. I liked your review. Seems like an interesting book about teenage rebellion and family drama we know so well about!
Yes i agree, kids do learn and somtimes imitate what their parents do. It is duty of parents to be a good example for their kids. I would get this book to read soon
Lovely. I haven’t reached there yet but having worked at a publishing house and at the same time, having reviewed so many books, I would not want to go by the cover. I feel like this book has meaty content, so well done!
Itsy bitsy spider is a cute rhyme and now a book! Wow so catchy! Definitely getting this one.
Book seems interesting. I love to put this on my list. Thank you for sharing your review of this book.