Ahimsa

New Visions Award Winner, Tu Books
Amelia Bloomer Project - Feminist Task Force, American Library Association (ALA)
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, National Council for the Social Studies / Children's Book Council

In this historical middle-grade novel, Gandhi asks for one member of each family to join the fight for independence from the British, and when Anjali's mother is jailed for doing so, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work.

In 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi asks Indians to give one family member to the freedom movement, ten-year-old Anjali is devastated to think of her father risking his life for the freedom struggle.

But it turns out he isn't the one joining. Anjali's mother is. And with this change comes many more adjustments designed to improve their country and use "ahimsa"--non-violent resistance--to stand up to the British government. First the family must trade in their fine foreign-made clothes for homespun cotton, so Anjali has to give up her prettiest belongings. Then her mother decides to reach out to the Dalit community, the "untouchables" of society. Anjali is forced to get over her past prejudices as her family becomes increasingly involved in the movement.

When Anjali's mother is jailed, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work, ensuring that her little part of the independence movement is completed.

Inspired by her great-grandmother's experience working with Gandhi, New Visions Award winner Supriya Kelkar shines a light on the Indian freedom movement in this poignant debut.

Author: Supriya Kelkar
Publisher: Tu Books
Published: 10/02/2017
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.9lbs
Size: 7.70h x 5.20w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781620143568
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.3
Point Value: 8
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 194273 / Ahimsa


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/07/2017
Kirkus Reviews Fall Preview 08/15/2017 pg. 53
School Library Journal 09/01/2017 pg. 126
Booklist 09/01/2017 pg. 107
Foreword 09/26/2017
Shelf Awareness 10/06/2017
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2017
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2018 pg. 110 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author

Supriya Kelkar grew up in the Midwest, where she learned Hindi as a child by watching three Hindi movies a week. Winner of the New Visions Award for Ahimsa, Supriya is a screenwriter who has worked on the writing teams for several Hindi films and one Hollywood feature. Supriya's books include Ahimsa; Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame; American as Paneer Pie; and That Thing About Bollywood, among others. Visit her online at www.supriyakelkar.com.