The Serpent's Secret: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond
#1 of 3 in Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond Series
on Goodreads (5,770)
What’s inside...
On her twelfth birthday, Kiranmala discovers she is an interdimensional demon slayer and a real Indian princess from another world. Her adventure begins when a demon attacks her home in New Jersey, and she is whisked away by two princes to a magical dimension. There, Kiranmala must solve riddles, battle demons, and avoid the Serpent King and the Rakkhoshi Queen to rescue her parents and save multiple worlds. From New York Times bestselling author comes a world packed with action and adventure, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Soman Chainani. On the morning of her 12th birthday, Kiranmala is just a regular sixth grader living in Parsippany, New Jersey until her parents mysteriously vanish and a drooling rakkhosh demon slams through her kitchen, determined to eat her alive. Turns out there might be some truth to her parents' fantastical stories -- like how Kiranmala is a real Indian princess and how she comes from a secret place not of this world. To complicate matters, two crush-worthy princes ring her doorbell, insisting they've come to rescue her. Suddenly, Kiran is swept into another dimension full of magic, winged horses, moving maps, and annoying, talking birds. There she must solve riddles and battle demons all while avoiding the Serpent King of the underworld and the Rakkhoshi Queen in order to find her parents and basically save New Jersey, her entire world, and everything beyond it.
Character compass
Kiran
Tuntuni
Prince Lalkamal
Prince Neelkamal
Raktabij
Discussion points
How do you think Kiranmala felt when she discovered she was a princess? What would you feel if you found out you were part of a magical world?
Kiranmala encounters many challenges in the Kingdom Beyond. Can you think of a time when you faced a difficult situation and how you overcame it?
If you could have any magical power like the characters in the story, what would it be and why?
The story blends elements of Bengali folklore. What did you learn about this culture from the book?
Friendship plays a crucial role in Kiranmala's adventure. What do you think makes someone a good friend?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their personal experiences to Kiranmala's adventures, enhancing understanding and empathy towards the character's situations.
Discuss the cultural aspects presented in the book to broaden your child’s perspectives on different worldviews and heritage.
Highlight the moral and ethical decisions characters make, prompting your child to consider what they would do in similar scenarios.
Use the magical elements of the story to spark creativity, asking your child to imagine their own magical world or abilities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing one's heritage
Explanation: Kiranmala, the protagonist, discovers her princess heritage and learns about her cultural roots, intertwining fantasy with Bengali folklore.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore and take pride in their own cultural backgrounds, understanding the richness it adds to their identity.
Example Lesson: Importance of bravery and resilience
Explanation: Throughout her adventures, Kiranmala faces numerous challenges and threats, showing courage and determination.
Real-World Application: This story can inspire children to face their own challenges with courage and to not shy away from difficult situations.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Kiranmala succeeds with the help of her friends, emphasizing teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with others and how teamwork can help solve problems that seem insurmountable alone.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: Kiranmala often encounters puzzles and challenges that require her to think critically and devise solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their thinking skills to address challenges they encounter in school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: Kiranmala encounters various creatures and characters, learning to understand their perspectives and motivations.
Real-World Application: Children are prompted to practice empathy, striving to understand people who are different from them, which fosters a more inclusive attitude.