Scan barcode
sarahpedd's review against another edition
5.0
Ahimsa: Nonviolence. Anjali's world seems to be filled with aggression and violence as India struggles against the British government in 1942. The people are also struggling against each other. Graffiti, vandalism, riots, beatings and other forms of violence build throughout this story. Anjali's courage and hope for an equal, free country builds as well. This is a beautiful story about the power of small actions that lead to great change. I couldn't put Supriya Kelkar's debut novel down.
aukward's review
4.0
Sitting with the discomfort of nonclosure. I realize not all stories (fiction or real-life) have happy endings, but it seemed so sad and unjust to me that a girl from the Brahmain class got her closure, and the young Dalit man did not.
mezzythedragon's review against another edition
5.0
A must-read. You get a rich history of India’s fight for independence, as well as their struggle to become a more just society, especially with regards to the Dalits — or the “Untouchables” — as well as with Muslims.
I think a good companion book to this would be Veera Hiranandani’s “The Night Diary,” which shows what happened after independence — namely the partitioning of India and Pakistan. “Ahimsa” does touch upon the violent conflicts between Hindus and Muslims, which in turn had helped lead to the split.
I think a good companion book to this would be Veera Hiranandani’s “The Night Diary,” which shows what happened after independence — namely the partitioning of India and Pakistan. “Ahimsa” does touch upon the violent conflicts between Hindus and Muslims, which in turn had helped lead to the split.
olivia119's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
collegecate's review
3.0
Read for Read Harder: middle grade book that has won a recent diversity award. I was super excited by the premise of this book, a female activist from a period and region I'm unfamiliar with with an excellent afterward explaining some of the historical background the story is based on. I really like the nuanced look at the Indian Independence movement and how Ghandi isn't just portrayed as a saint. I also love that it's based a little on the life of the author's great grandmother who no only fought for Independence but became a congresswoman.
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Since this is really the author's family story, it seems to avoid some of the problems that can happen when an outsider describes a country, although it is actually very much about an outsider trying to fix a problem--but not a non-Indian. Captures the uncertainty of trying to help someone but not really understanding what their situation is, coming from a privileged position. How you might not even realize your privilege.
Her mom quits her secretarial job with Captain Brent and becomes a freedom fighter, Anjali is embarrassed by her plain clothes (Homespun in India instead of woven in England from Indian cotton.) and misses her beautiful saris. But she gradually becomes proud of her mother's courage.
Anjali thinks that befriending "Untouchables" and having them come to her school is a good idea--but if they have to sit at the back , and none of the other students come, how is that integrated? Many false starts and steps that backfire--Some "Untouchables" don't want to be called "Harijan" (children of God) as Gandhi thought--they find it demeaning; "Dalit"--meaning "oppressed"-- is what some prefer. Taking over Mohan's job of cleaning out their pit toilet is fine, but how can he survive without that work? Slowly changing people's attitudes and traditions, not without suffering, even violence. Protecting Captain Brent with their bodies and by shouting "Ahimsa" leads him to see her mother's cause in a different light, and her writes a letter to get her out of prison.
Anjali's Muslim best friend, even "brother, Irfann stops talking to her after riots, blaming her for other Hindus' actions. She feels the same for a while, but his father doesn't--and when her beloved cow Nandini is struggling when having her calf, they both come to help.
The whole thing was (and is still) very complicated--Some Indians liked having the British order there; Hindus and Muslims fighting each other instead of fighting the British together. Can such small steps make any progress against outside troubles (the British) and inside-Hindus and Muslims, caste system
Her mom quits her secretarial job with Captain Brent and becomes a freedom fighter, Anjali is embarrassed by her plain clothes (Homespun in India instead of woven in England from Indian cotton.) and misses her beautiful saris. But she gradually becomes proud of her mother's courage.
Anjali thinks that befriending "Untouchables" and having them come to her school is a good idea--but if they have to sit at the back , and none of the other students come, how is that integrated? Many false starts and steps that backfire--Some "Untouchables" don't want to be called "Harijan" (children of God) as Gandhi thought--they find it demeaning; "Dalit"--meaning "oppressed"-- is what some prefer. Taking over Mohan's job of cleaning out their pit toilet is fine, but how can he survive without that work? Slowly changing people's attitudes and traditions, not without suffering, even violence. Protecting Captain Brent with their bodies and by shouting "Ahimsa" leads him to see her mother's cause in a different light, and her writes a letter to get her out of prison.
Anjali's Muslim best friend, even "brother, Irfann stops talking to her after riots, blaming her for other Hindus' actions. She feels the same for a while, but his father doesn't--and when her beloved cow Nandini is struggling when having her calf, they both come to help.
The whole thing was (and is still) very complicated--Some Indians liked having the British order there; Hindus and Muslims fighting each other instead of fighting the British together. Can such small steps make any progress against outside troubles (the British) and inside-Hindus and Muslims, caste system
laurablackwell's review
5.0
What a lovely, lively, thoughtful book! Anjali is a 10-year-old upper caste Hindu girl in 1942 India. She's an assertive and outspoken child who gets in trouble for challenging British rule. Her mother joins Gandhi's freedom movement, which embraces not only peaceful protest but traditional crafts. Anjali and her mother open their eyes to not only the problems the British have brought but the problems of the ancient caste system. Their conversations with lowest-caste "Untouchables" shows them some of the flaws of the caste system, and they realize that not even Gandhi has all the answers.
Questioning their own privilege means sacrificing comforts and sometimes being in danger. This book puts a brave, intelligent girl in a situation of questioning a great deal of what she was brought up with (British rule, caste system) while still wanting to maintain the important parts of her life (her family, her friendship with a Muslim boy). It's a nuanced portrayal of a complex society in a time of change. It's a kids book with a glossary, easy to read, but I found it moving to read as an adult.
Questioning their own privilege means sacrificing comforts and sometimes being in danger. This book puts a brave, intelligent girl in a situation of questioning a great deal of what she was brought up with (British rule, caste system) while still wanting to maintain the important parts of her life (her family, her friendship with a Muslim boy). It's a nuanced portrayal of a complex society in a time of change. It's a kids book with a glossary, easy to read, but I found it moving to read as an adult.
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.
larissamac5's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5