The Neev Times_Issue #38

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TIMES

“A curtain call symbolizes the end of a journey, a moment of celebration and triumph. It marks the culmination of a shared experience, recognizing the dedication, hard work, and emotion behind it.”

Embracing the Beauty of New Beginnings

As the final bell is set to ring this academic year, we are reminded that this has been a transformative journey, filled with challenges and triumphs.

We began the year asking: Who am I? Why am I here? What impact do I seek?

Since then, we have seen students’ responses to these questions every time they have risen to the occasion, galvanizing peers into action, and not settling for mediocrity. From the student-leaders and hardworking volunteers at NLF 2024; to students who pushed themselves outside their comfort zones during their learning journeys; and when they performed on stage at Srijaneev, each truly giving it one’s best shot

We see parallels in literature. From Nagaland’s Areiü, in Wrestling Day by T Keditsu, who rushes to bring her brother his mother’s shawl for his maiden wrestling match, to Mal in Katherine Rundell’s exquisite Impossible Creatures, who accepts a huge responsibility, and decides to use it for the greater good; to Liz Montague, one of the first Black female cartoonists who in her graphic novel memoir Maybe An Artist, wrote to The New Yorker asking why they didn’t publish more inclusive comics. When they asked her for a recommendation, she said, “Yes, me!”

Award-winning author John Green and organizational psychologist Adam Grant say, “We reveal our goals through our actions, but our values through our attention If you want to figure out what's really important to you, you should just scan what you pay attention to ”

EDITORIAL

e end a year and begin a new one soon, ask yourself: What am I paying on to? How am I becoming who I truly want to be? Use your summer to rge, renew, and return prepared to act on the answers to these questions, st as you possibly can

The Nature of Becoming

“The one constant in our life is change.” Psychologist Dan Gilbert performed a study to inquire into how well humans can predict their own likelihood to undergo change in their personalities, outlined in his TED Talk “The Psychology of Your Future Self”. Gilbert found that individuals tend to underestimate the change they will undergo, a phenomenon he calls the “end of history illusion”, which leads to overinvestment in current choices However, this leaves us with a significant question: How do we strike a balance between “living in the moment” and planning ahead, if we are unable to predict the nature of our future selves?

As the school year ends, the fleetingness of moments becomes apparent Rather than cascading into uncertainty, it is important that we allow ourselves the chance to explore. By prioritising momentssinging for a friend’s birthday in the cafeteria, turning in a year-long project, renouncing papers after exams - we can attempt to engage with our present, rather than attempt to fathom the future In doing so, we acknowledge who we are today, as mere versions of who we are to become

The Promise of New Projects

Personal Project is one of the core components of the Middle Years Program at Neev. Students pick a topic of their choice that they have a deep personal connection to, which sparks their interest and curiosity. Through this process, new skills and learnings are also fostered, making the whole experience fulfilling

Recently, the Grade 9 students have been introduced to Personal Project, and for the past couple months they have tried to brainstorm and finalise an idea that not only has a deep personal connection, but also allows them to expand their horizons. The ideation of these projects range from creating booklets, all the way to designing full on appliances.

To take each project to the next level, pitching the idea was a crucial part Through a Shark Tank pitch, students were able to present their ideas and talk about the challenges, new learnings, and impacts that the project will have on themselves and the audience

Personal Project is a huge milestone for students, allowing them to cultivate new skills and interests With the whole journey still ahead, it is going to be a long, eager wait for the exciting projects that will be presented for Keystone 2026

ArtX 2025- Imagining Possible Futures

This year’s ArtX explored the SOI “Art imagines possible futures.” Music, theatre and visual art each came up with provocative pieces to showcase their unique ideas of the future.

The music showcase boasted pieces ranging from warning of dystopian consequences, envisioning a better future, and the adaptation of music to current times, in the form of covers, reimagined classics, or songs of their own

Shortly after came the visual art exhibition. By using various mediums, students created paintings depicting futuristic cities, post-apocalyptic worlds, artificial intelligence as creators or gods Artworks focused on dystopian elements like surveillance, the Malthusian theory, or how the growing power of humans may one day lead to us “gaining the ability to play with life and death”, as stated by one of the artists.

Finally, the theatre performance brought futuristic concepts and elements of dystopia to life The students created short 15-30 minute plays, each showcasing their ideas on how the choices made by us will affect the world in the future. Whether it was set in an office, school, or city, each play gave the audience food for thought on how what we do today will affect us tomorrow.

This ArtX really showed us that art is not just a form of expression, but a lens into the past, present, and future.

Changing the Game

Aarush Gupta & Navya Khandelwal, Grade 11

President and Vice AY 2024-25

As we look back on our journey as members of the Student Government, it's clear that this experience has been both rewarding and eye opening.

One of the key issues we focused on was the gender ratio at Neev. We noticed a large disparity between genders in some grades. We tried understanding the reasons behind this and explored how the classroom environment might be impacting the experience of girls in particular While we did look at a few such factors, we also realized that there is still a lot more to be understood. Simply the study does not change anything in itself: we need to create a plan of action to actively ignite a change. This is something we hope future leadership will continue to explore and address

Another highlight was the introduction of a new version of the Mentorship Programme. Initially, we weren’t sure how successful it would be to pair younger students with older students, but the outcome exceeded our expectations. From bonding over shared interests to solving math problems and playing games, the interactions were genuine and meaningful. Although we did initiate the programme later in the year, we believe that it has strong potential to grow and create a positive impact in the following years. The third change we made, one that may have caught the whole community by surprise, was the changing of the school menu, including the implementation of nonveg - something we think is really impactful to our community.

Overall, this year has been a meaningful one for us, and we are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Neev community.

Signing off, Your President and

Purposeful Service

Kaahinee Agarwal, Grade 11B

Fundraising Coordinator AY 2024-25

Serving as the Fundraising Coordinator this year has been an incredibly fulfilling journey After the success of Sarvajeet Diwas, where our school community raised over ₹2 lakh through teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose, our spirit of giving only grew stronger

Moreover, I had the incredible opportunity to organize our school’s first-ever blood donation drive Out of 66 registered individuals, 46 were able to donate, with the rest deferred due to eligibility. I truly hope this becomes an annual tradition, with the number of donors growing exponentially each year as more people step forward to make a difference.

Looking ahead, I’m also excited to co-host the upcoming Parikrma Sports Day with our Programming Director, Srinidhi. Funded in part by the money raised during Sarvajeet Diwas, the event aims to celebrate sports, inclusivity, and joy, offering students from the Parikrma Foundation a day dedicated to their talent and energy This year has shown that fundraising is about much more than funds, it’s about heart, connection, and impact I hope the initiatives we’ve started continue to grow and inspire in the years to come

Mentoring sessions with PYP

More Than Games - Sports at Neev

Akshaya Prakash, Grade 11B

Sports Vice-Captian AY 2024-25

Sports are not just games we play. They involve the ways we communicate and express ourselves, how we work in teams and how we respect and treat each other. At Neev, we have a thriving sports community. We not only challenge each other to bring out the best versions of ourselves, but we also build each other up step by step.

As the Sports Vice-Captain, my only goal was to figure out how we could build each other up, to show everyone the amount of talent every individual of our community has. I believe that this year’s Sarvajeet Diwas was one of the events where we came together as a community. All the houses cheering for those participating, the parents raising our spirits, students running around campaigning their stalls, the older graduates holding onto their legacies, and the teachers holding together the entire event.

It was truly an incredible experience to be a part of this event, and I hope the future captains of our school indulge themselves in this event just like we did Sports are not just the games we play, but a way of life.

My Journey As A Class Representative

Anezka Iris Sequeira, Grade 5B

Class Representative

On my first day as a Class Representative, I stood proud and slightly shy, Wondering where this journey would take me, Will it give me lows or highs?

It started off a little shaky, I felt like I could work on my role, So I changed my ways, To reach my goal

Making the class settle down, Was a challenge at first, But I stayed determined, And made sure it wasn’t my worst. It started off tough, But I grew along the way, And my happiness of doing so, Will always stay

This journey has been most delightful, And it has shaped me, To become a responsible leader, Who guides her classmates with honesty!

Dear Future Class-Reps of Grade 4

Reya Dabholkar, Grade 4D

Class Representative

Being a part of the student government is like a long learning journey You learn new skills such as social and communication skills, and this is also an opportunity to get to know your classmates better. I learnt that becoming a class rep is less about being popular, but more about communication and how my ideas connected with the entire class The key aim is to be authentic Though being a class rep comes with big responsibilities, it also has numerous fun aspects. A few of them are organising the class, assigning roles to every student for daily duties and creating charts with the teachers!

Recognition and Reputation: The 2025 Grammys

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held this year became a night to remember for Western music. With a growing emphasis on ending industry ‘gatekeeping’, this year’s awards reflected a shift into a new age for the industry.

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated the night with five awards, setting a record for the most decorated song in Grammy history. With what some called a well-deserved win, and some a ‘steal’ from other artists, Béyonce’s “Cowboy Carter” won the Album of the Year award The internet buzzed with reactions to these wins, including discussions about how the Grammys seem to continuously rely on third-party influence rather than the reality of a musician’s current success. A favourite of the night, however, was Doechii’s “Alligator Bites Never Heal” winning Best Rap Album. As the third woman to receive this accolade, Doechii’s win serves as a turning point for female artists in the music industry

The recognition of other rising artists suggests a future featuring newer faces, music, and stories waiting to unfurl as the world begins to move outside the conventional classifications However, the question remains; when will the Grammys truly reflect the contributions of younger, emerging artists and genres? As western music continues to evolve, the awards must adapt to embrace a broader spectrum of talent, ensuring a uniform recognition of current Western music

Pushing Boundaries: Resilience, Discovery, and Exploration

On March 19th, astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore returned to Earth after their extended period of stay at the International Space Station (ISS) Their initial mission of 8 days was extended to 9 months due to propulsion failures and helium leaks in Boeing’s Starliner capsule. The SpaceX capsule that was carrying the 2 astronauts back to Earth parachuted safely into the Gulf of Mexico hours after departing from the ISS.

Despite the extended stay in space being accidental, it allowed for many scientific breakthroughs Williams and Wilmore spent around 900 hours on scientific research and conducted 150 experiments. They studied the influence of microgravity on fluid systems in space and helped develop new reactors for water recovery which are crucial for long-distance missions Williams and Wilmore also contributed their research to the BioNutrients project which explores how bacteria can be used to produce fresh nutrients for astronauts. The various discoveries provide valuable insights for future long-duration space trips.

The astronauts' time in space came to an end but the legacy that they left behind is far from over. Williams and Wilmore both showcased astounding resilience and adaptability as they faced challenges while living in a zero-gravity environment for an extended period. To us earthlings, they serve as a reminder of the enduring spirit of space exploration in the face of crisis Their mission inspires us as students to take risks and break barriers in the interest of satisfying our insatiable curiosity of what lies beyond

The Death and Rebirth of Einstein's “Impossible Gravitational waves ”

In the early 20th century, Albert Einstein revolutionized physics with the general theory of relativity. Among the theory’s predictions, was a seemingly impossible concept - the existence of gravitational waves. These are a whole other classification of waves, which are ripples in spacetime given rise to by massive cosmic events For nearly a century this idea was repeatedly debunked, rejected and doubted. Fast forward about a century, a groundbreaking discovery in 2015 finally confirmed the existence of these waves, detecting them from two colliding black holes, hundreds of millions of lightyears away from the Earth. This discovery marked an enthralling full-circle moment in the history of physics by validating Einstein's century old prediction. More recently, discoveries around gravitational waves have soared, resulting from stronger wave detectors, which have now discovered signals from supermassive black holes colliding in our universe. The current era of cosmology and astrophysics, similar to the delayed yet conclusive proofs to Einstein's predictions, represents how mere theories are brought to reality, and conclusive understandings allow us to decode our universe

Ahmedabad 2036: India's Bid to Host the Olympics

Recently, India expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad If they win the bid, this undertaking could cost as much as $7.5 billion. With India’s last hosted major multi-sporting competition being the 2010 Commonwealth Games, this event will be a significant step up in logistics, operational costs, and infrastructure. In the past, several countries have withdrawn their Olympic bids upon realizing the financial strain of the games. So, will India be able to handle such a monumental endeavour? PM Modi believes that India’s success in hosting G20 summits shows the nation’s ability to organize major international events. Also, the Khelo India Scheme contributed to the development of sports facilities over the past few years. Hosting the 2036 Olympics may bring several benefits such as the creation of job opportunities in construction and tourism, huge profits, and investments for the sports infrastructure. In the words of our Home Minister, Amit Shah, "India has a very bright future in sports", and these Olympics may be the push it needs to make an even greater mark on sports internationally

What are your

favourite

memories at Neev?

My favourite memories would be climbing to the top of Dzukou valley during the Nagaland trip. The entire Nagaland trip actually - the flight being cancelled, shaving Ranai’s head, a lot of stuff there My time at Neev has been really nice, and after 15 years, leaving is a bit bittersweet.

My favourite memory from Neev is the North East learning journey Something about leaving our phones, lives, and comfort behind to face long treks, cold weather and tiring reflections together really made it worth it

Rishikesh Srivatsan

My favorite memory is all the way back in 4th grade, when we had a field trip to Hampi and somehow they managed to put 6 boys in one room I remember we had this double bed and we spent almost two hours wrestling, with Takeshi’s Castle playing above. And Ms Vandana was also in the same room, but she managed to sleep through all of this.

Dhruv Ramu

Sitting on the bleachers and talking about random stuff The school trips, for sure One specific memory was when we went for a school debate to Dehradun, that whole experience was pretty fun Another fun school trip was Nagaland My favorite memories are with Nachiket, giving Aniket bad advice, and Ms Vaishali’s classes because those were some of the most fun classes ever

Samarth Parakh

My favorite memories were the school trips. Nagaland was very fun, especially because of the people I was with, Saahas, Noyonika, Kavya The trip to Dehradun for debate was probably the best trip we ever had.

Nachiket Kulkarni

I would have to say that my favorite memory is in 10th grade when we went to Dehradun

Saahas Ajmera

What are you most excited for?

I’m quite passionate about my degree, molecular biology, so that will be fun. I think that while Neev has given me the community aspect with a small class, I think college will allow me to broaden my horizons by meeting people

Dhruv Ramu

I’m looking forward to meeting the people in college.

Samarth Parakh

I’m looking forward to meeting new people, and also creating new lore and stories.

Nachiket Kulkarni

What advice do you have for your juniors?

If there’s one thing that I think people should do is take more initiative. Leadership isn’t just the title, but also about showing what you can bring to the community. You don’t need to be the captain, the president, or the one in charge to make an impact It’s about stepping up when it matters, whether that means helping a teammate, organizing something behind the scenes, or just being there for people Most people are only interested in achievements and the titles, but even in small groups, taking initiative can go a long way. Within the football team, even though I was the captain, each member of my team took up an initiative. From organizing friendly matches, to influencing people to come to practice. Even a small action makes a big change, where our team really grew close So if I’m leaving anything behind, it's to always take a leadership opportunity when presented. Taking initiative can also take you out of your comfort zone, which is very helpful in the future Make sure you are a person who shows up, who helps, who cares. That’s what people will remember.

Arjun

Master Bose

I think everyone will give advice about the importance of time-management, and obviously you have to complete all your work But don't beat yourself up about procrastinating a little bit, because it happens to everyone. Just ensure that the deadline motives you Also, it is always good to pick up activities beyond academics. That's what will keep you going. For example, even during exams, I like to do martial arts. A normal day without exams may be 70% schoolwork and 30% other stuff During exams don’t make it a 100% and 0%, make it 90/10 instead, so the balance will keep you afloat

Dhruv Ramu

Neev has been my home for as long as I can remember. Unlike many of my peers, I have never had the opportunity to know anything else, anything new While I know this will make adjusting to a new environment that much harder, I wouldn’t trade the comfort and familiarity I’ve found here for anything. I am filled with a sense of sadness and fear for what’s coming next, but more than that, I feel gratitude. Gratitude for the experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met If there’s one thing Neev teaches you, it’s the power of community. And if you’ve found that here cherish it.

A Word of Advice

Dear Juniors,

As we walk into a new academic year, I want to share some lessons I’ve learned in my first year of MYP. This was the year of new experiences and unforgettable memories.

The workload increased, and managing various extracurriculars with academics was overwhelming, at first. I realized that balance was key, and making choices, sometimes tough ones, was important. Some of my most cherished moments in this year were events such as Eureka - both debate and science, and the Gujarat trip During the trip, where learning was experiential and friends became closer, I learned that it was tough to be away from family, but my friends and teachers were supportive and caring

While MYP is fun, it's important to be dedicated to your academics The summative and formative assessments taught me the importance of retaining learning and it’s okay to reach out for help from teachers and peers when needed Pushing your comfort zone increases the circumference of it. From understanding complex concepts in science and math to unexpectedly enjoying poetry in L&L, I have had an open mindset, which has made my learning more meaningful.

MYP is a journey I have just started, and these lessons have helped me navigate my first year. I hope they help you too! Wishing you all the best and welcome to MYP!

Changing Perspective

A curtain call usually signals an ending, but an ending is a doorway to something new. This is an opportunity to look back on what has been accomplished, a moment to reflect on yourself; the triumphs and the losses, and use that to improve. Even after the story ends, there will always be another waiting to be told

This is the time to think back on what has happened, and take it as an opportunity to come back stronger and better than ever before This year, I realised that I started the year nervous, and sad due to leaving my old class behind. But next year, I'm going to focus on the good things, and enjoy the new experiences. Instead of thinking about the past, I'll live in the momenta fresh, new beginning

Sleepover at Neev

1D

At Neev, Grade 1 and 2 had a sleepover recently on a Friday night My class was very excited for this sleepover. Our parents dropped us at school by 5:30 in the evening. Then our teachers took us to the PHE ground and we did zumba there, followed by a teambuilding game. Then we went to the sandpit and all of us played there, which was really fun

After all the playing, we went to MYP block to keep our sleeping bags, and then went to the cafeteria and had dinner. We all loved eating pasta and brownies. Following dinner, we went back to our sleeping area to set up our sleeping bags and soon we all slept Our parents picked us up at 7:30 in the morning to go home. Overall, the sleepover was really fun!

Grit, Growth, Glory - The Pullela Gopichand Story

“Failure, loss, and success are part of the same coin If you’re not prepared to lose, you aren’t prepared to play.” These words from Pullela Gopichand, a renowned badminton player and the speaker at Neev’s 2025 graduation, encapsulate the mindset needed not just to win, but to learn and evolve.

As we all progress to the next stage in our lives, it is imperative that we remember this sentiment. Pullela Gopichand has faced losses at every level of competition, and has even dealt with close to career-ending injuries Nonetheless, he expressed that one key reason behind his success was that the child in him never stopped playing It is through this that he was able to remain humble and grounded throughout his career, persevering in a country with less-than-ideal facilities at the time. As badminton in India has continued to grow, so has he By setting up the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, he has raised some of the world’s greatest players by providing the necessary environment for them to grow and eventually shine

While Pullela Gopichand has developed his own “formula for success” in badminton, he serves as an inspiration for the rest of us to pursue our passions with discipline, humility, and an unwavering belief in ourselves With every step he climbed, he realized that the next one was possible. In his words, when we push ourselves every day, we d limit our goals and dreams, only keep unlocking our own pote

Not the End, Just an Interlude

Dhruv Krishnan, Grade 9C

The “Interlude” of Maya, Mihika, Myra, Manaal, Tara and Ishi and Jiana’s Grade 9 Service Project. The group finished their last session with the kids they’ve been working with for the past two years. This was a (temporary) curtain call a warm one of memories, children celebrating before meeting again. Even though this year presented its own set of challenges, including scheduling conflicts, language barriers, and creation of the curricula, the group persevered with resourcefulness. One of the most special moments for the group was when one of the Grade 5 students, Shalu said, "We come every Saturday because you guys come." These sessions were a place for bonding and growth. The curtain may fall for now, but can only rise again on the next act, with hearts fuller and lessons carried forward.

A Passion for Books and Beyond: TBR Talks

6D

ways been my world my escape, d greatest source of joy. My love for reading has been a huge part of my life, and my experience in the Neev Literature Festival (NLF) reading challenge for two years only deepened that passion. Exploring a curated collection of amazing books, each offering a new world or fresh perspective, It was an unforgettable experience.

I wanted a new way to share my passion So, I created TBR Talks, my own YouTube book review channel (www.youtube.com/ @TBR Talks) to connect with fellow book lovers and share my thoughts on books and series I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!

Re-Imagining Reading:

Book club at Neev

Dhruv Chakraborty Nagri, Grade 9A

This year, a new stayback activity was introduced the Neev Book Club, spanning across Grades 6–8. The essential aim is to explore books across diverse themes and genres that students might not typically encounter in their daily reading It has become a comforting space where students gather weekly to read, discuss themes, and track their progress through creative activities. These activities encourage skills such as storytelling, collaboration, journaling, and critical thinking.

While the club is teacher-led, students take the front seat in shaping discussions and activities Over the past few months, members of the club have explored various themes chosen through voting We also explored other methods of growing our reading, such as a Book Secret Santa, where students anonymously recommended books to one another, fostering curiosity and ownership of their reading journey

This year, I had the opportunity to become a student lead for the Grade 6 Book Club This gave me a chance to build strong bonds with the sixth graders while also learning to facilitate insightful discussions on their reading experiences, making connections across books. Over the last few months, the Neev Book Club has evolved into a tight-knit community a welcoming and safe space for any student or teacher eager to discover new paths into the vast world of reading.

Viha Sanath - Winner of the Eureka

Writing Prize

Prompt - While clearing out an old attic, a teenager discovers a diary filled with entries that predict future events - with alarming accuracy.

The attic above my room hid so many treasures and secrets. I realised this after my mom made me spend my spring break cleaning up the filthy and dusty attic. It had been many years since I steppedintotheattic

When I first stepped into the attic all I could see was a layer of dust that coated everything in the attic. Cob webs and spiders hung in every corner and I could see dead moths on the floor. The wooden floor creaked and I could hear rats scurrying across. “Gross,” I muttered, shuddering.

Itwassounfairthatmymumforcedmeto clean the attic instead of relaxing in my springbreak.

I stomped my feet angrily and tried to shout my disapproval as loudly as I could. But, I sighed, rolled up my pants and got towork.

For 3 days I wiped and swept the floors and dusted every bit of the attic until it wassparklingclean.

I looked up, proud of myself, wiping the sweatfrommyface.“Good!”,mymomsaid whileshelookedaroundtheattic.

“What?”,Igrowledinfrustration. I need a break, how much more will she make me work I thought to myself. “After all the dusting, sweeping and wiping I did,allshehad

tosaywas“good”,huh?”,Itoldthecardboardboxbesideme.

Isighedandgottowork Itwashardtodoeverythingbymyself,but I slowly got into a rhythm. I segregated books, pictures, clothes and toys, keeping them in different boxes. I started to mechanically organise all the objects in the attic. Mama joined in and helped me whenshewasfree.

So many of these objects in the attic belonged to me. Sometimes I wouldfindanolddressoratoyIusedtoplaywith.

Some objects in the attic were not familiar to me, like the black and white photo of my grandparents. I also found really interesting thingsintheattic.Likeagoldenpendentwithaheartdanglingfrom it,andhugeantlers.But,mymostinterestingdiscoverywasadiary.

I opened the diary, squinting my eyes to read the neat cursive handwriting Every entry would start with a date Almost all of the entries were regarding an event in the future, along with dates and numbers.Someoftheseeventsanddetailsrangabell.

My hand froze at the words “11th of September”. The further I read, more of these events and dates started to make sense. I sat down, resting my back against a wall, the book in my lap. Some of the eventswerehistoric,Ihadlearntinschool.

Pagebypage,Iread.Wordsfilledmymind.

“Israel-Gazaconflict” “Russia-Ukrainewar”. “TalibaninAfghanistan”. TibetconqueredbyChina”. Iclosedthebook,notwillingtoreadmore.

These events were familiar to me because they were happening right now,exactlythewaythebooktoldme,attheexactdates

But how? How could the book know the future? This book is at least 150yearsold.Andwhywasnoneoftheentriescompleted? Iflippedthebooktothelastpage,andreadthewords.“Butyoucan changethisandwriteyourownending-Goodluck”.

I walked into the attic to clean it up, and left, knowing that we should clean up the world’s mess. The diary was telling us exactly what would happen if we did not change ourself and the world. Is it reallypossible,Ithoughtomyself,whileIwalkedout

Age Rating: 8+ years

Recommended by Nitima Bansal, Grade 5B

In the novel, twins Alex and Connor Bailey are pulled into their grandmother's old fairytale book. As they navigate this magical world, they experience many challenges and make many friends and enemies. As they try to find their way home, they meet all the famous fairytale characters they had read about in their fairytale novels back home, like Red Riding Hood and Prince Charming. I highly recommend this book because it brings nostalgic childhood fairytales to life. Packed with adventure, it will make you feel like you're part of the journey too! Will the twins ever escape the fairytale world? Will the twins reach back home? Read and find out!

Age Rating: 6+ years

Recommended by Achyut Gobburu, Grade 1C Curious, interesting, and adventurous – these are the three words I would use to describe this book. This book tells a story of two sisters who travel on an incredible journey around the Earth in just one day. They visit all sorts of places like Zambia, the Indian Beach, the Philippines, Antarctica, Hawaii, and Brazil. As they explore, they meet animals from all these countries, making their journey even more interesting. I recommend this fun read to anyone who loves to travel and discover new things!

Age Rating: 9+ years

Recommended by Vir S.K, Grade 5D

Set in India during the Mughal rule, this book talks about the era that has shaped India's history, explaining how each one of the 18 Mughal emperors has played their part and helped our country develop in defense, administration, wealth, business, art, and architecture From Babur making homes to Shah Jahan building mosques, memorials, and forts, to Aurangzeb building the army and strengthening defence, this interesting read informs us about the aspects of governance during the Mughal Empire and how they upheld democratic values. Through its illustrations and storytelling, this book helps us experience a day in the life of a Mughal emperor, making it an enjoyable read!

Age Rating: 8+ years

Recommended by Aditya Talluri, Grade 6E

A long time ago, we were nothing but simple singlecelled organisms. But today, we are humans, with brains and a discerning capacity that some animals can only dream of. Did you know you might be related to a Lithuanian who doesn’t even know you? In this book, through the lens of evolution, we learn about history, how we invented science, how religion started, and the development of human speech and language I highly recommend this book, as it’s an informational as well as a thought-provoking book

Age Rating: 9+ years

Recommended by Samar Sabharwal, Grade 6E

The story follows a young boy named Omar, who is both a refugee and an orphan. As a result of his mother's absence and his father's passing in Somalia, he is sent to live with Fatima, a kind-hearted elderly woman who also lost her four sons in Somalia. This book explores Omar's struggles in a refugee camp, his friends and foes, and his eventual relocation to the USA.

Resonating with the quote “when one door closes, another opens”, Omar’s journey feels like a curtain call an end to one chapter of his life and the uncertain beginning of another. Through his challenges and triumphs, this book makes us seek new opportunities and teaches us to always bounce back even when things are difficult Overall, this is a good read, and I highly recommend it to the Neev community.

Age Rating: 11+ years

Recommended by Avigna Satheesh, Grade 6A

If you had to choose, which would you give up: your name, your family, or your friends? 13-year-old Katrina Davis has no choice She’s constantly on the run, constantly changing her names and homes, with no memory of the life she left behind. As she bounces from place searching for safety, she meets Parker, a kid with secrets of his own. Desperate for answers, she teams up with him but how far are they willing to go to uncover the truth?

Filled with twists, this book kept me hooked from start to finish. This was the curtain call on Katrina's first act, but does she have another performance in the future?

Crossword: Events @ Neev

Chief Editor: Aditi Garg

Supporting Editor: Sitara Rishikesh

Design and Production Editor: Jayadrithi Urs

Books and Opinions Editor: Ishana Bailur

Chief Reporter Senior School: Sahasra Nangineni

Chief Reporter PYP: Vaanya Sureka

Mridul Mittal, Grade 2B
Ahaan Shokeen, Grade 6A
Siddhartha Singh, Grade 6D
Samarth Disan, Grade 1B
Srinav Holla, Grade 1C

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The Neev Times_Issue #38 by Neev Schools - Issuu