Book Review: Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Library.
This was one of the only narratives set in India that I could find for my 9 year old reader. I wanted to pre-read it because it was shelved in the YA section at the library (Yikes! She can’t be that old!! I’m not ready for that!)
This book is beautifully written, shows cultural differences, and will open some of the culture of India up to M-girl.
There is a lot of sadness in the book; immediately widowed, forcibly worked, and eventually abandoned, Koly’s behavior, attitude, creativity, and diligent hard work are rewarded. She avoids a terrible future (enslavement) with quick wits in a way that we can gently talk about evil in this world.
Recommended reading for older children. We’ll see what M-girl thinks later. She started Ch 1 today.
I love this one and many others of Whelan's novels. So glad you enjoyed it!
Our library has several other of her titles, but not this one. I'll have to ask them. 🙂 Interestingly, our library has them shelved as J, not YA. I'm already convinced they reserve YA as a category for "Yucky & Appalling." I don't let the kids go near those shelves.