Genie Meanie - (Orca Echoes) by Mahtab Narsimhan (Paperback)

About the Book

In this partially illustrated chapter book, an eight-year-old girl confronts a bully with the help of a genie she discovers has been living in a spice bottle her grandmother left her.

Book Synopsis

When eight-year-old Kiara discovers that her recently deceased grandmother left her a genie, trapped in a bottle of garam-masala, she's elated.

She'll be a modern-day Aladdin and have someone to do her bidding. And Kiara could really use a little magic. Third grade is just about to start and she's spent the summer worried about being in class with Matt, a bully who seems to have nothing else to do but make Kiara and her best friend Bai's lives miserable. Unfortunately, the genie has decided he's on vacation after working for ten thousand years and is looking for someone to do his bidding. A battle of wills ensues, and Kiara realizes that you don't really need magic to solve your problems.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

From the Back Cover

When eight-year-old Kiara discovers that her recently deceased grandmother left her a genie, trapped in a bottle of garam-masala, she's elated. She'll be a modern-day Aladdin and have someone to do her bidding without argument. And Kiara could really use a little magic. Third grade is just about to start and she's spent the summer worried about being in class with Matt, a bully who seems to have nothing else to do but make Kiara and her best friend Bai's lives miserable. Unfortunately, the genie has decided he's on vacation after working for ten thousand years and is looking for someone to do his bidding. A battle of wills ensues, and Kiara realizes that you don't really need magic to solve your problems.

Review Quotes

"Students can use personal experience to connect to this text and discuss how managing emotions supports the development of healthy relationships and helps us feel supported and valued."

-- "BC Books for Schools"

"If a teacher is looking for something new and different to read to their class about bullying, friendship, and resilience, then give Genie Meanie a go. Recommended."

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"A fun read that tackles adversity and bullying in a relatable way for young readers."-- "School Library Journal (SLJ)"

"An important story about bullying."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Mahtab Narsimhan is the award-winning author of several books for young readers, including Embrace the Chicken (Orca), Mission Mumbai (Scholastic), The Tiffin (DCB) and The Third Eye (Dundurn), which won the Silver Birch Award. She was a Writer in Residence at the Toronto District School Board from 2014-2016. Born in Mumbai, Mahtab immigrated to Canada in 1997. She now lives in Vancouver.