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A review by laurablackwell
Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar
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.