ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!
My next book, coming in 2026 from Nosy Crow.
Here are some clues in the meantime!
Fantasy – a gorgeous animal – a cosseted but feisty girl
As seen on
Readers say
"Prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime... The Girl Who Stole an Elephant is a wonderful, deeply exciting, high-stakes adventure that sweeps across the perfectly-realised wilderness of Sri Lanka and this girl will definitely steal your heart with all of her infectious impulsiveness in her pursuit of fairness, friendship and freedom for her village."
Scott Evans
TheReaderTeacher.com"Just when I thought I knew what was coming, something else even more magnificent came along. An amazing adventure! Chaya, Nour and Neelan’s relationship elevated the story and made it a real page turner."
Mr McGrath
@MrMcGrath_PEC"I’ve absolutely whizzed through it because it is SUPERB. So gripping and so well written that you can picture every minute of it. If you need a story from another culture from Y4-6 I’m struggling to think of many better to be honest. LOVED IT!"
Ashley Booth
@MrBoothy6This book made me feel ready to take on the world.
Imogen, 14
Chatterbooks readerFarook’s ability to create action and adventure is second to none. With the first line uttering the words ‘Chaya looked at the bronze spear pointing at her neck’ the reader is instantly hooked. I don’t think there was ever a point during the story when I felt bored or aching for the next rush of excitement. Farook is just able to deliver a compelling story from start to finish.
Miss Pearson
OH MY BOOK blogChaya, a no-nonsense, outspoken hero, leads her friends and a gorgeous elephant on a noisy, fraught, joyous adventure through the jungle where revolution is stirring and leeches lurk. Will stealing the queen’s jewels be the beginning or the end of everything for the intrepid gang? With cover illustration by David Dean.
Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, Guardian Best Children's Books of the Year, Blue Peter Longlist
The Boy Who Met a Whale
As seen on
Readers Say
Adventuring at its absolute best – dazzling, daring & deliciously dramatic, it’s the perfect rival to the great literary classics of Treasure Island, Famous Five and Swallows & Amazons.
Fern T
@ReviewsBluebird, Armadillo MagThe Boy Who Met A Whale has it all: menace, mayhem, majestic sea-creatures and even a melancholic ox whose dreams of finding adventure are hilariously fulfilled. I absolutely loved it!
Hana Tooke
Author, The UnadoptablesA fabulous fun-filled adventure, crammed with high seas, dastardly villains and loveable heroes!
Jasbinder Bilan
Author, Asha and the Spirit BirdNizrana Farook shares the beauty of this island throughout the story and it definitely makes you want to visit. My class really enjoyed learning more about turtles and whales too. We were genuinely disappointed the story had to end
Tom G
@TJGriffiths, checkemoutbooks.wordpress.com...beautiful settings with a knife-edge of danger on each page too. The chases in this book are adrenaline-fuelled but then there are startling moments of beauty as we are caught on a wave experiencing the wonders of a secret island or the majesty of a hidden whale.
Chris Soul
chrissoul.co.ukThe Boy who Met a Whale is the most fantastically fun MG adventure I've read in a long time, full of sea turtles, piracy, blue whales, excitement, humour, and wonderful characters. I loved it
Stephanie Burgis
Fantasy WriterYou can almost see the coconut trees, touch the sea turtles and hear the waves on the beach! With action-packed moments throughout and a great friendship building between Raz, Shifa and Zheng – and not forgetting the blue whale – this is an adventure story everyone should escape into!
The Book Activist
thebookactivist.blogThe Boy Who Met A Whale is a gripping read that will have you voyaging from the beaches of Sri Lanka out to sea along with the characters - you'll be completely gripped and enthralled. This is a story of resilience, friendship, family; of doing what's right and learning to live again.
@karen_wallee
kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.comFrom the author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant comes another brilliant escapade. A thrilling adventure set in fictional Sri Lanka, jam-packed with peril and kidnap and a huge blue whale! Razi, a local fisherboy, is watching turtle eggs hatch when he sees a boat bobbing into view. With a chill, he notices a small, still hand hanging over the side… Inside is Zheng, who’s escaped a shipwreck and is full of tales of sea monsters and missing treasure. But the villains who are after Zheng are soon after Razi and his sister, Shifa, too. And so begins an exhilarating adventure in the shadow of the biggest sea monster of them all…
Indie Children's Book of the Month, Financial Times Best Children's Books of the Year, BookTrust Best Books of the Year
The Girl Who Lost a Leopard
As seen on
READERS SAY
"Full of peril, heart-stopping adventure, and a leopard you'll fall in love with – this book is utterly brilliant. With a conservation theme, it's not only suited to the classroom, it's perfect for animal and nature lovers."
Hannah Gold
Developer"Farook’s wild tales set on Serendib (Sri Lanka) conjure up endangered nature, cruel criminals and engaging child heroes. Here, Selvi has developed a bond with Lokka, a rare mountain leopard ― but big cats are valuable to poachers and someone has discovered Selvi’s secret. Can she protect Lokka ― or will someone betray her? Edge-of-your-seat excitement"-
Sally Morris
Daily Mail"...Set, like her previous novels, in Sri Lanka, this is a tale for those who crave animal adventures such as those of Lauren St John and Katherine Rundell. The spirited Selvi befriends a wild leopard, but poachers see only its price tag. She must find a way to protect the “true king of the mountains”. [The] author’s passion for the natural world currently under threat makes their book outstanding"
Amanda Craig
The New Statesman"Nizrana Farook writes quite simply the BEST action adventure novels for kids - they're so vivid and fast-paced and exciting, full of gorgeous imagery, wonderful bravery, narrow escapes, and breathtakingly beautiful animal characters, too. I enjoyed every moment of it and I would have absolutely DEVOURED it as a 9-year-old!"
Stephanie Burgis
"Truly loved this book and and I now must go and read the preceding two, not that it's a prerequisite as they are stand alone titles. Breathtaking is the word I'd used if I could only use one. An absolute must read."
Lisa
"Farook’s storytelling is engaging and relatable, taking friendship journeys children experience all around the world and placing them in a stunning setting steeped in rich and beautiful Sri Lankan culture and landscapes, whilst raising awareness of animal protection. I genuinely look forward to the new year knowing there's going to be new Nizrana Farook middle grade adventure out soon!!"
The Kids Book Curator
Selvi is a wild child who loves climbing in the beautiful mountains behind her home. She is often joined by Lokka, a leopard with a beautiful coat and golden eyes. When hunters come for Lokka, Selvi is determined to fight. But what can she do against such powerful enemies, especially when the friend she turns to for help is not all they seem to be…?
Waterstones Best Books of the Year, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
As seen on
READERS SAY
“A triumphant, joyous end to a terrific series!” What a joy! I am positively beaming after reading Nizrana Farook's final book in her utterly brilliant Serendib series. These books have captured not only my heart and imagination but those of the children in my school.
Chris Soul
TeacherYes, I welled up as soon as I closed the book. This is the fourth and final story by Nizrana Farook set on her imaginary island of Serendip (much akin to Sri Lanka). There are even ‘easter eggs’ to spot from The Girl Who Stole and Elephant, The Boy Who Met a Whale, and The Girl Who Lost a Leopard in honour of this final foray. So lovely! All these stories have at their heart a theme of conservation, respecting and living alongside wildlife.
The Kids Books Curator
ReviewerNizrana always has such powerful, empathetic characters and it’s fascinating seeing Nuwan and Karadi’s friendship develop throughout the story. Heartfelt, exciting and powerful amidst a backdrop of lush landscape, The Boy Who Saved A Bear needs to be your next read!
Tom Griffiths
Check 'Em Out BooksA captivating, empathic and beautifully written story of friendship, family and our relationships with animals and the natural world. With peril, courage, cunning, cruel criminals and a bear that captured my heart this is a sensational read.
Kevin Cobane
TeacherThis breathtaking adventure from the author of The Girl Who Lost a Leopard is all about how we find common ground despite our differences, and the importance of standing up for those who don't have a voice. Nuwan is a funny, clumsy and kind character who builds a beautiful friendship with the wild bear - and Karadi in turn gives Nuwan the confidence to believe in himself.
BookTrust
Nuwan has always craved adventure and hiding in a bear’s cave could just be the start! If he gets out alive, he must take the stolen Key of Nissanka on a perilous journey to the King’s City. And persuade a bear to come with him, saving her life…
Books for Topics Best Classroom Readaloud winner
A wintery middle grade mystery collection of short stories by thirteen of the most exciting and diverse authors in children’s books today!
Sleuthing through the snow, on a merry mysterious day, in disguise we go, investigating all the way . . .
This gorgeous Christmas collection brings together thirteen of the bestselling, award-winning and exciting debut authors: Abiola Bello, Annabelle Sami, Benjamin Dean, E.L. Norry, Elle McNicoll, Dominique Valente, Joanna Williams, Maisie Chan, Nizrana Farook, Patrice Lawrence, Roopa Farooki, Serena Patel and Sharna Jackson.
Join them as part of the Very Merry Murder Club as they lead you on a snow-covered wintery journey of Christmassy crimes, festive foul play and murderously magnificent mysteries. Learn more here.
Waterstones Children's Book of the Month
Grab your sunnies and your magnifying glass, and join the Murder Club for more sensational short stories as they lead you on a journey of foul play and murderously magnificent mysteries!
Including sun-thieves, fantastical creatures of the deep, airport mayhem, weddings gone wrong, tropical resort travesties, and a very sticky situation at a berry picking farm.
A collection of sizzling summer-themed crime and mystery stories by thirteen of the most exciting children’s book authors! Co-edited by Serena Patel, the award-winning author of the Anisha: Accidental Detective series and by Robin Stevens, author of the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series.This gorgeous summery collection brings back together thirteen bestselling, award-winning and exciting authors: Abiola Bello, Annabelle Sami, Benjamin Dean, E.L. Norry, Elle McNicoll, Dominique Valente, Maisie Chan, Nizrana Farook, Patrice Lawrence, Robin Stevens, Roopa Farooki, Serena Patel and Sharna Jackson. With stunning illustrations by Harry Woodgate.Grab your sunnies and your magnifying glass, and join the Murder Club for more sensational short stories as they lead you on a journey of foul play and murderously magnificent mysteries! Including sun-thieves, fantastical creatures of the deep, airport mayhem, weddings gone wrong, tropical resort travesties, and a very sticky situation at a berry picking farm.This is the prefectly entertaining collection to pack in every young reader’s summer holiday bag. Read more here.
Blackwells Children's Book of the Month
The Book of Hopes
This extraordinary collection of short stories, poems, essays and pictures has contributions from more than 110 children’s writers and illustrators, including Lauren Child, Anthony Horowitz, Greg James and Chris Smith, Michael Morpurgo, Liz Pichon, Axel Scheffler, Francesca Simon and Jacqueline Wilson.
The collection, published by Bloomsbury, is dedicated to the doctors, nurses, carers, porters, cleaners and everyone working in hospitals.
The Book of Hopes is available as a beautiful hardback gift edition, with stories, poems and illustrations. The Book of Hopes is available to buy now from all good book retailers. A donation from the sale of each book will go to NHS Charities Together, in gratitude for the incredible efforts of all those who worked in hospitals over the quarantine period.