Bali Rai

I’m Bali Rai, the author of over forty children’s, teenage and young adult books. I am passionate about promoting reading and a proud ambassador for Reading Ahead.

Tell us about a time that reading had a positive impact on you.

The book that made me fall in love with reading fiction was James and The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. I was always a huge non-fiction fan, but that book made me want to engage with stories.

What do you love about reading?

Reading is fun, it makes you smarter, encourages you to think for yourself, and gives you a deeper understanding of your fellow beings. I love escaping into a book, too, away from the pressures of everyday life.

Can you recommend a read to our Reading Ahead participants?

One of the best books I’ve read recently is Kerb Stain Boys by Alex Wheatle. Easy to read, fast paced and gritty, it’s a cracking book.

Read a book by Bali:

My latest book is Mohinder’s War, a WW2 story that follows the adventures of a Sikh RAF pilot and the French girl who saves him when his plane crashes.