As I finished reading this fun and frank diary of a 12-year old precocious girl, I figured that my review would be short. Because there is no storyline here- nothing much happens in this book. But as I begin writing now, and look back on the book,I realise that not much happens, IF you think that the hundreds of little things that make up everyday life are being 'not much'. True, there is no plot as such. But there are real glimpses into the life of a smart, sensible and at times sassy girl on the verge of teenagerhood.
Mayil is an aspiring writer who lives with her grandpa, parents and younger brother Thamarai in Chennai. The diary is given to her by her Appa with the fond hope that she will 'talk' her heart out in the diary, and spare everyone else. Talkative, curious Mayil is at first irritated at this effort to muffle her voice, and perversely decides to get back by actually pouring her thoughts onto the pages- for Mayil will not be silenced!
The book is full of the hallmarks of adolescence- old 'best' friends moving to new friends, crushes, inferior self-image, discussions about periods (aka chums!), curiosity about sex, and dawning realisation about adult problems like being losing a job or suffering domestic abuse. Mayil thinks she is not pretty, and thinks that she is OK with it- till a boy in school mocks her about how the guy she is ostensibly crushing on likes her friend Jyothy because "Jyothy is dumb, but she is pretty. You are not dumb, but you'd be much better looking without a face." Then come the tears and self doubt....but not before she punches the guy in the face! But she regains her balance and perspective after a frank (and amazingly sensible and sensitive) conversation with her Amma. So much so, a few months later, when the same boy tells her he "likes" her, she replies with equanimity that she likes him just like she likes her other friends, and they actually become friends.
In this story of Mayil's journey of self-discovery, the supporting cast is fabulous, particularly her Amma and Thatha. Amma is sensible, frank, strict when required yet can be friends with her kids; while Thatha is young at heart and gently funny.
In short, this is a highly recommended read for girls aged 11-13 years, and for all women who want a flashback into their teenage years. :)

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Mayil Will Not Be Quiet (English) Paperback – 1 January 2015
by
Niveditha Subramaniam
(Author),
Sowmya Rajendran
(Author)
Niveditha Subramaniam
(Author)
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Reading age10 - 14 years
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Print length104 pages
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LanguageEnglish
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Dimensions20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm
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PublisherTulika Publishers
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Publication date1 January 2015
-
ISBN-108181468554
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ISBN-13978-8181468550
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Product description
About the Author
Subramaniam holds a bachelor s degree from Stella Maris College, Chennai, studying English Literature. In the past, she has also been a creative writer for a children s magazine. Passionate about photography, Subramanian has also attended Light and Life Academy, where she studied photojournalism. She is currently working on a bilingual book. The author of this book, Sowmya Rajendran, is also a well-known illustrator from India. Till date, Rajendran has released 11 picture books. Some of the literary works of the author include Six In The Underwater Friends Series, Monday To Sunday, and The Snow King s Daughter. Born on the 4th of March, 1986, Rajendran attended Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan School, Chennai. Following that, she completed her bachelor s degree from Stella Maris College, studying English. She later went on to graduate from the University of Sussex, UK, completing a master s degree in Gender Studies. Rajendran has also written a number of short stories for several magazines.
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Product details
- Publisher : Tulika Publishers (1 January 2015)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 104 pages
- ISBN-10 : 8181468554
- ISBN-13 : 978-8181468550
- Reading age : 10 - 14 years
- Item Weight : 141 g
- Dimensions : 20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm
- Country of Origin : India
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Best Sellers Rank:
#19,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,126 in Children's Literature & Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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4.3 out of 5
17 global ratings
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Reviewed in India on 14 November 2016
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The authors have managed to create the diary of a curious and intelligent 12-year-old with great authenticity and into it they have ...
Reviewed in India on 25 September 2017Verified Purchase
I bought this as a gift for a friend's kid after reading the blurb and some glowing reviews. When I had it in my hand, I had to read it before gifting it. The reviews did not lie.
The authors have managed to create the diary of a curious and intelligent 12-year-old with great authenticity and into it they have distilled the magical ordinariness of childhood along with sage, non-pedantic commentary on issues as diverse as sexism, domestic abuse, gender-based discrimination and more. All this without making it heavy handed. A delightful, laugh-out-loud book, as much for young girls as it is for adults floundering in their attempts to do right in a child's world.
The authors have managed to create the diary of a curious and intelligent 12-year-old with great authenticity and into it they have distilled the magical ordinariness of childhood along with sage, non-pedantic commentary on issues as diverse as sexism, domestic abuse, gender-based discrimination and more. All this without making it heavy handed. A delightful, laugh-out-loud book, as much for young girls as it is for adults floundering in their attempts to do right in a child's world.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in India on 20 December 2018
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It is a wonderful book, written in a very simple, easily understandable way. This said, it beautifully captures the world of teen to be, with humor and a rare insight into their minds.
loved it a lot and went ahead and bought the sequel too!!
loved it a lot and went ahead and bought the sequel too!!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in India on 12 June 2018
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Good read for the kids. I enoyed reading it more than my kid.
Reviewed in India on 28 January 2021
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Not at all a good book and not worth the price.
Reviewed in India on 14 October 2016
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This is a lovely book touching upon everyday subjects in a young girl's life in modern India. A must read for all pre teens and teens as well.
Reviewed in India on 10 April 2018
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Book is very good and useful
Reviewed in India on 3 November 2016
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Great job having this on the site.
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sail
4.0 out of 5 stars
My daughter said it was like the Dork Diaries or Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Reviewed in the United States on 18 November 2017Verified Purchase
Read this together with my 8-year old daughter.
My daughter said it was like the Dork Diaries or Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with Mayil, a junior high student in Chennai, at the center of the story. It was funny and charming--there are so many more similarities between young people growing up in Indian cities and in US cities than you'd anticipate.
My daughter said it was like the Dork Diaries or Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with Mayil, a junior high student in Chennai, at the center of the story. It was funny and charming--there are so many more similarities between young people growing up in Indian cities and in US cities than you'd anticipate.