Reviews

Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar

jenniferforjoy's review

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

bickie's review against another edition

1942 India: Anjali (Hindu Brahmin) and her family listen to the radio about Gandhi's teachings of non-violence. When her mother becomes a freedom fighter, Anjali is initially worried but slowly helps her mother begin to make changes such as spinning cotton into thread for India-made (not British or other foreign-made) clothing, beginning to teach the children in the lowest-caste basti (once called Untouchables, named Harijan by Gandhi, named Dalit by themselves), and even cleaning out her own latrine. As unrest continues, Anjali and her best friend (thought of as a brother), Irfaan (Muslim) blame each others' communities for mob violence.

Great explorations of the complexities of this time of Indian history and how hard it can be for a society to change to be more just. Anjali and her mother's interactions with the Dalits are akin to white saviorism, and there is mention of how the British foment conflict among different Indians to prevent them from uniting against colonial rule.

At times, the changes in people's outlooks seems a little sudden.

aidanjo8's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ashleighturek's review

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

I loved reading more about a time in history I know very little about. I think this was very well written and perfect for middle grade kids. It approached a very difficult subject in a way to help kids the same age as the main character understand.

I loved that it showed that both adults and kids working to change the way they think. It was great to see examples of people learning that what they were taught about the world and people was wrong and them actively changing. 

Anjali was such a great main character and someone kids her age (and adults) can learn from.

libwel's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

ohemgeebooks's review

informative inspiring tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

amypt46's review

5.0

This middle grade historical fiction was heavy, but about a period in India that I sadly knew little about outside of Gandhi. This book opened my eyes to a time in history I was not aware of and taught me a lot despite it being fictional. The main character is a strong young lady with a lot of growth throughout this book as she has to grow up fast when she has to see the reality of the world outside of her high caste. Very well done.

abanas's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jwinchell's review

4.0

I loved this simple but powerful novel of Anjali's role in the 1942 India freedom movement. I learned so much about Gandhi, the caste system, the complexities of religion and culture in India. Based off of the author's grandmother, Anjali was an inspiring character who did an admirable job making sense of very complex times and staying true to her core value of ahimsa, nonviolence.

sducharme's review

4.0

India, 1950s - Young Anjali learns about the freedom fighter movement and the importance of "ahmisa" (nonviolence) in India's fight for independence from British rule. Her mother is her inspiration as well as her own deep understanding of the unfairness of the caste system which limited access to education to only certain levels in society. She experiences some of the work done by "the untouchables" in her attempt to understand.

A middle grade story with plenty of action, emotion and heart. It's a perfect fit for middle schoolers' strong sense of fairness and justice.