50 Camels and She's Yours
A book well worth 50 camels. The launch at Heffers bookshop showcased the ability of each writer, who read excerpts from their chapters and had the audience by turns laughing and also slightly anxious – maybe that was just me – about the extreme situations they find themselves in, especially Jane, who describes being stuck in a very deep cave in Nepal.
Cambridge Independent newspaper
Himalayan Hostages
This is a great read for pre-teens (or anyone young at heart) interested in Nepal, wildlife, or simply adventure! From run-ins with poachers and bears in the jungles of Bardiya, to struggling to survive in a mountain cave, to canoeing down the Karnali River, James and Alex (the protagonists) seem to find adventures wherever they go.
As an American journalist who grew up in Nepal myself, I loved the details in this book about wildlife, Nepali cultures, and politics / social problems. The book deals with a terrible time in Nepal's history - the Maoist civil war, when many ordinary people were stuck in the crossfire between rebels and the state security forces - without simplifying complex issues too much. The book's protagonists view the world from a unique vantage point as "Third Culture Kids." Wilson-Howarth, the author, shows her fondness for Nepal and Nepali people, and also demonstrates her lively imagination and story-telling ability!
Peter Gill
Staying Healthy When You Travel
This little book is now at the top of my packing list along with 'passport' and 'tickets'. It is written with a calm, common sense approach and with a layout that makes it easy to find information in a bit of a panic. If your youngster is off on a Gap Year they may not thank you for giving them something so practical and heavy to take along with them as a book (and this one is not exactly heavy). Buy it anyway and stuff it in their rucksack when they're not looking. It'll give them a chance to avoid the avoidable nasties and will give them a giggle as they read some of the anecdotes when they discover that the TV in Laos is not up to much! While you're at it, get a copy for yourselves, it's an oddly fun read for a book about bugs, beasties and illness.
Amazon