The Conch Bearer
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
📚 Genre
Children's Fantasy / Magical Realism
🏢 Publisher
Roaring Brook Press (an imprint of Holtzbrinck)
📅 Publication Year
2003
🔢 ISBN
978-0312315603 (ISBN-13 for standard hardcover)
About This Book
The story follows twelve-year-old Anand, who lives in the slums of Kolkata. He meets an old man named Abhaydatta who gives him a task: to return a magical conch shell to its home in the Himalayas. It is a journey of magic, self-discovery, and ancient powers. The cover features a red background with a central tri-panel illustration depicting mountains, a conch shell, and a pair of eyes.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
272 pages
Edition
First Edition (ex-library hardcover)
Series
Brotherhood of the Conch, Book 1
Target Audience
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12)
Collector Information
Condition
Poor/Fair. This is an ex-library copy with significant visible wear. There are library stickers and residue on the front cover, peeling tape on the spine/corner, and visible scuffing/staining on the top right corner.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $5.00
Rarity
Common. This edition was widely distributed to schools and libraries; however, ex-library copies in this poor condition have almost no market value for collectors.
Historical Significance
A notable entry in South Asian children's literature, blending Indian mythology with traditional quest fantasy. It won several awards including the Bluebonnet Award and was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year.
Collector Notes
Collectors typically avoid ex-library copies due to the permanent markings, stickers, and heavy wear. This specific copy has heavy adhesive damage. For a collectible copy, seek a First Edition/First Printing in a Fine/Fine dust jacket without library stamps, which may hold value around $20-$40.
Similar Books
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, The Akhenaten Adventure by P.B. Kerr, Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
Notable Features
Includes a tri-panel color illustration on the jacket; first book in a trilogy.