|
Homeless Bird | 
 enlarge | Author: Gloria Whelan
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Category: Book
List Price: $5.99
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $5.98 (100%)
New (45) Used (40) Collectible (1) from $0.01
Rating:  191 reviews
Sales Rank: 54718
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 192
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.5
ISBN: 0064408191
EAN: 9780064408196
ASIN: 0064408191
Publication Date: September 1, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ex-Library. Dust Cover Missing. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More.
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
"What if I don't like him?"
"Of course you will like him."
"But what if I don't?"
Maa impatiently slapped at a fly. "Then you must learn to like him."
But Koly never gets a chance to find out if she does care for her intended groom. Married and promptly widowed at 13, Koly finds herself in the grim position of being cast out by a society that has no place for girls like her. With a seemingly hopeless future in India, this courageous and spirited young woman sets out to forge her own destiny. Through perseverance, resourcefulness, and sheer luck, she manages not only to find a niche for herself, but even to find happiness again. Gloria Whelan's tale of a remarkable girl in an extraordinary situation will linger with the reader long after the last page is read. The shaping of Koly's life, as anyone's, is in her own hands, as well as the hands of the society in which she lives. Her ability to express herself--and ultimately support herself--with her exceptional skill in embroidery is a symbol of the creative ingenuity that will serve her well throughout her tribulations. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter
Product Description
Gloria Whelan's National Book Award–winning novel, chronicles the breathtaking story of a remarkable young woman who dares to defy fate. Like many girls her age in India, thirteen–year–old Koly faces her arranged marriage with hope and courage. But Koly's story takes a terrible turn when in the wake of the ceremony, she discovers she's been horribly misled; her life has been sold for a dowry. In prose both graceful and unflinching, this powerful novel relays the story of a rare young woman, who even when cast out into a brutal current of time–worn tradition, sets out to forge her own remarkable future.Inspired by a newspaper article about the real thirteen–year–old widows in India today, this universally acclaimed best–selling novel, characterized by spare, lyrical language and remarkable detail, transports readers into the heart of a gripping tale of hope. Ages 10+
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 186 more reviews...
 Factually wrong and paints a misleading picture of India. December 3, 2001
24 out of 26 found this review helpful
I grew up in India till the age of 24. I was very excited when I saw this book on the NY Times children's bestseller list and bought it for my daughter. However, the excitement soon turned to complete shock and and utter disgust. People of Indian origin have discussed this book and absolutely detest it. The facts are wrong and contradictory, and it portrays a picture of India which is very misleading. It is akin to an Indian writer writing a book for Indian children based in the US where the protagonist is raped by her father - yes, it happens in rare instances in the US, but it is rare, and it is not something that we make the topic of a children's book. Let me point out some factual mistakes - (1) holi is portayed as a festival where people mix color with cow urine and spray it on each other - this is so absurd that when I showed it to other Indians, we were in splits of laughter. On holi, we put natural colored powders like turmeric, or colored flour on each other. Children also have water gun and water baloon fights (just like in the United States), (2) the girl calls her father "baap". This is very unlikely to happen in India. It is a very disrespectful form of addressing a father, (3) the girl protagonist's (Koli's) parents are too poor to feed her but can give a dowry to marry her (the people who want the dowry can afford to feed her, so presumably the dowry is more than the cost of feeding the girl). I wondered whether I could have been mistaken about (1)-(3) - after all, the book has won a prestigious award and presumably they checked on the facts. I assumed that the author had lived in India or had at least travelled there. I found an interview with the author (...)Gloria Whelan very proudly claims that she lives in the wilderness of Northern Michigan and her research on India was limited to local libraries. The book sells based on a heart-wrenching picture of a girl in this poor, downtrodden, third-world country, who fights against all odds to find happiness - I thought that type of theme was reserved for Silhoutte romances, not children's books that go on to win medals - incidentally, didn't the committee for the 2000 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, or the publisher verify the facts of the novel?
 Bird Finds a Home May 1, 2001
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
13 year old Koly leaves her family and a simple but harsh country life when she is married off to a Hindu boy she has never met. She knows she cannot resist because her dowry will help her family financially. To her surprise, she is soon widowed when the groom dies of tuberculosis and is left in the hands of his selfish and greedy Mother. Koly is eventually abandoned in a holy city where unwanted widows are deserted and must use her strength and courage to carve out a life for herself. This is a beautifully written and fully engaging story with imagery that transports the reader directly into Koly's world. Readers will admire this strong female character who must rely on herself and her beautiful gift for embroidery to become self sustainable and find true happiness. Hindi terms and explanations of Indian culture give a fascinating look at life in modern India and the societal limiations of girls and women.
Best Book I Ever Read! August 23, 2000
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
I loved this book and you will too. I loved the details and there is a fairy tale ending (sort-of). I will read this book over and over again. I have not been interested in reading many books over and over again. If any of you have read this book and know of any other book like this one please e-mail me at HorseFan2k@hotmail.com. Thank You. Hope you like the book
Homeless Bird finds a home in readers' hearts December 22, 2001
Lisa Johannes (Carrollton, TX USA)
13 out of 16 found this review helpful
Homeless Bird is a lovely story about a young girl, Koly, whose idealist world of comfort and love is ended when she is sent off to marry a young man who soon dies and leaves her as a 13 year-old widow. While it would appear as though Koly's only hopes for happiness lay in the hands of her new family--Sass, Sassur, and sister-in-law Chandra--we soon realize (as Koly does) that true happiness must come from within...The language of this novel is stunning, complete with descriptive passages that will leave you feeling as though Koly is your great, personal friend. You will cheer for this character! This is an excellent novel of empowerment for young girls--ages 9 to 15.
Beautifully Written Story! June 19, 2000
Meredith (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
I work in a children's book store and have read many children's books. This book is by far one of my favorites for this age level. The story is moving and Whelan really has a talent for making her charaters come alive with her wonderful description and dialogue. I was impressed and moved by this book -- what can I say, I'm a sucker for these type of endings. I strongly reccomend this book!
|
|
|
|
| |
