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dinkle20's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully told.
I borrowed this book from a friend of mine because I was attracted to the cover design and did not have anything else to read. Initially I had no expectations from this book, but it came out to be on my 'favourites' list.
The story, along with the struggle against the Britishers, also puts light on caste system-A huge problem in India. The book beautifully makes you believe against such systems and stereotypes through the eyes of a 10 year old girl.
The writing also stands out as it shows progress with the girl's(Anjali's) thoughts and decisions. The girl explores and finds a perspective on what is right and what is wrong. She develops independently canceling the stereotypes against women.
I also enjoyed Chachaji's character who was the cherry on the cake.
Totally recommended
I borrowed this book from a friend of mine because I was attracted to the cover design and did not have anything else to read. Initially I had no expectations from this book, but it came out to be on my 'favourites' list.
The story, along with the struggle against the Britishers, also puts light on caste system-A huge problem in India. The book beautifully makes you believe against such systems and stereotypes through the eyes of a 10 year old girl.
The writing also stands out as it shows progress with the girl's(Anjali's) thoughts and decisions. The girl explores and finds a perspective on what is right and what is wrong. She develops independently canceling the stereotypes against women.
I also enjoyed Chachaji's character who was the cherry on the cake.
Totally recommended
sarah_haz's review against another edition
4.0
This is a children's/YA book, but covers the topic really well for that demographic.
curlyandcarbonated's review against another edition
4.0
Supriya Kelkar’s Ahimsa, a word which embodies the concept of non-violence, tells the story of ten-year-old Anjali during the 1940s in India. In the opening scene, she paints a red “Q” on her mother’s British former employer’s workspace, a symbol telling him that he should “Quit India.” Anjali, though well-intentioned, doesn’t fully understand the possible consequences of her actions. When tensions rise and Anajli’s family feels the need to become more active in the Indian independence movement, her mother joins the cause, complicating her daughter’s once-perfect life in the process.
Each character in the book was able to add another lesson about social conflict in a new way. Mohan, an Untouchable, brings up the power of names. Rather than call this group of people “Untouchables,” Ghandi urges others to call them “Harijans” (Child of God), but Mohan, an actual member of the group, explains why he prefers the term “Dalit.” Anjali has to consider how she can help other people see Mohan as a person rather than simply a Dalit, but she learns that when it comes to social equality, sometimes the most well-meaning actions can have disastrous, or even deadly, consequences for those she feels she is fighting for. Irfaan, a Muslim friend of Anjali, exposes a hard truth that even children can start to show hate toward each other because of one part of someone’s identity when that’s what society does. Chachaji, Ahimsa’s uncle, doesn’t believe in the movement, and across time and culture, we can see there are still uncomfortable differences in opinion that always seem to surface during Thanksgiving …
Ahimsa is a book I originally gave 3-stars to because I wanted more complexity from Anjali, but for me, this is a book that takes a little processing. Although I don’t feel like Anjali was as complex as I wanted her to be, the situations in the book were. There are so many powerful lessons about the complexities of social justice and civil rights and how best to achieve those, but I love that this was a story about a privileged girl who finds her place in the movement and refuses to accept things the way they are—something that students, teachers, and parents always need to be reminded.
From a teaching standpoint, a lot of my students would struggle with reading this independently without some preview of the historical context and some strategies for names with which they might be unfamiliar. This would work BEAUTIFULLY in a Social Studies classroom after studying this period, and it would open up fantastic discussion about the complexities of any social justice movement.
Each character in the book was able to add another lesson about social conflict in a new way. Mohan, an Untouchable, brings up the power of names. Rather than call this group of people “Untouchables,” Ghandi urges others to call them “Harijans” (Child of God), but Mohan, an actual member of the group, explains why he prefers the term “Dalit.” Anjali has to consider how she can help other people see Mohan as a person rather than simply a Dalit, but she learns that when it comes to social equality, sometimes the most well-meaning actions can have disastrous, or even deadly, consequences for those she feels she is fighting for. Irfaan, a Muslim friend of Anjali, exposes a hard truth that even children can start to show hate toward each other because of one part of someone’s identity when that’s what society does. Chachaji, Ahimsa’s uncle, doesn’t believe in the movement, and across time and culture, we can see there are still uncomfortable differences in opinion that always seem to surface during Thanksgiving …
Ahimsa is a book I originally gave 3-stars to because I wanted more complexity from Anjali, but for me, this is a book that takes a little processing. Although I don’t feel like Anjali was as complex as I wanted her to be, the situations in the book were. There are so many powerful lessons about the complexities of social justice and civil rights and how best to achieve those, but I love that this was a story about a privileged girl who finds her place in the movement and refuses to accept things the way they are—something that students, teachers, and parents always need to be reminded.
From a teaching standpoint, a lot of my students would struggle with reading this independently without some preview of the historical context and some strategies for names with which they might be unfamiliar. This would work BEAUTIFULLY in a Social Studies classroom after studying this period, and it would open up fantastic discussion about the complexities of any social justice movement.
aklibrarychick's review against another edition
4.0
A well-written, timely and important book. This historical fiction follows the story of Anjali, whose mother is a freedom fighter trying to free India from British rule. She also is pushing for equality amongst the castes, particularly focusing on the Untouchables, or Dalits. Anjali is at first resentful of her mother's involvement and the fact that she has to give up her beautiful clothes for homespun. She is hesitant to take any interest in her work, but her naturally compassionate nature embraces the cause of the Dalits, and she comes up with the idea that her school should allow the Dalit children to attend classes with them. The book does not shy away from showing the ugly side of things - the nasty work of latrine cleaning, an unjustified hanging, and a deathly violent demonstration at a beloved leader's funeral.
Anjali's Ma and Baba, her Chachaji, her best friend, Irfaan, and her Dalit friend, Mohan are all well-rounded and important parts of the story. Even the "villains" of the tale are human and, like all people, are not completely bad.
At the beginning, there were a few passages that felt like proverbial "information dumps," but other than that it was a really well-paced and crafted book. I read it through in less than 24 hours. Highly recommended for all readers, and especially for teacher's doing units on social justice, non-violent resistance, or Indian history. Don't miss the author's note at the end. I also must mention the amazing cover art by Kate Forrester - it's so lovely that I couldn't even put the library bar code on the front and ruin it.
Anjali's Ma and Baba, her Chachaji, her best friend, Irfaan, and her Dalit friend, Mohan are all well-rounded and important parts of the story. Even the "villains" of the tale are human and, like all people, are not completely bad.
At the beginning, there were a few passages that felt like proverbial "information dumps," but other than that it was a really well-paced and crafted book. I read it through in less than 24 hours. Highly recommended for all readers, and especially for teacher's doing units on social justice, non-violent resistance, or Indian history. Don't miss the author's note at the end. I also must mention the amazing cover art by Kate Forrester - it's so lovely that I couldn't even put the library bar code on the front and ruin it.
breadsips's review against another edition
5.0
Why are the best books children’s books? My emotions are a wreck.
fanaticfictionlover's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
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? No
5.0
monikahe's review against another edition
4.0
Good YA
Wish book did more showing not telling.
Liked how Kelkar described the complexities of the freedom movement in a way that a middle grader could understand.
Wish book did more showing not telling.
Liked how Kelkar described the complexities of the freedom movement in a way that a middle grader could understand.
shellys's review against another edition
3.0
This book is ambitious.
It addresses issues of "doing good" from a position of power, learning to listen to and honor others, the complexity of humans whose actions are seldom wholly good or bad. It speaks of the complex motivations of freedom fighters and their families.
Was the fabric of the story authentic? I don't know. The power and freedom the main character felt off - far too much for a ten year old of a Brahman family in the mid 1900s. While making mistakes, she also learns from them with lighting quickness. The British official was alternately a caricature of awful and humble. Was the story Henty-esque? Or American 21st century flavor?
This is a rare case in which I wish a work were longer. This book felt like a collection of important moments rather than a cohesive story. I wish it had broken into a series of 3 or more books to allow time for character development. Chapters from the perspective of Mohan, of Irfaan, even of Suman might be another technique to allow characters to deepen.
This book is so promising its desire and intent.
Maybe there will be follow on books that allow for depth.
I
It addresses issues of "doing good" from a position of power, learning to listen to and honor others, the complexity of humans whose actions are seldom wholly good or bad. It speaks of the complex motivations of freedom fighters and their families.
Was the fabric of the story authentic? I don't know. The power and freedom the main character felt off - far too much for a ten year old of a Brahman family in the mid 1900s. While making mistakes, she also learns from them with lighting quickness. The British official was alternately a caricature of awful and humble. Was the story Henty-esque? Or American 21st century flavor?
This is a rare case in which I wish a work were longer. This book felt like a collection of important moments rather than a cohesive story. I wish it had broken into a series of 3 or more books to allow time for character development. Chapters from the perspective of Mohan, of Irfaan, even of Suman might be another technique to allow characters to deepen.
This book is so promising its desire and intent.
Maybe there will be follow on books that allow for depth.
I
funfetti7's review against another edition
Fantastic book. Covers a lot of sensitive topics and handles them well. I'm glad I bought a copy for my girls.