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Summary: I love this book!!!!
Review: I have read this book a hundred times and I can't get over it. It's a wonderful book that I can read over and over again. It shows how lucky we are to live in such a modern and democratic society. India is such an ancient place, with so many traditions passed down from generation to generation that it is still so unlike our world. In the beginning of the book, I thought it took place in the 1800s or before that, but it turned out to be the present time! And women have so few rights that it makes India seem like an even farther away place. The story is wonderful and takes place over a period of about 4 years. Imagine being married at 13, and never having met your future husband! That's exactly what happened to Koly, who is married to a sick boy about her age who's parents only want her for the dowry her parents must pay. Not long after they marry, her husband dies and she must live with her in-laws as a widow. It seems as if she has no future but slaving away for her mother-in-law until life takes an unexpected turn and she is suddenly left in a strange city with nothing but the clothes on her back. I won't give away the ending; you read it for yourself!
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Summary: Homeless Bird
Review: I read this book and I believe that it was an amazing book. It has plenty of action and the other elements that make a book great. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I learned plenty of new words. It also shows the amazing and interesting history of India.
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Summary: Homeless Bird
Review: I think that Homeless Bird in a good book because in the beggining it's boring. But in the middle there is a lot of action. Then in the end it slow's down. Hope you enjoy.
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Summary: homeless bird
Review: I think that Homeless Bird is a good and exciting book.I enjoyed it very much. I think that you should read because it has many sad and interesting parts you will enjoy.
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Summary: Whelan's story is a richly embroidered tapestry of India
Review: Thirteen-year-old Koly enjoys her pastoral life with her family, embroidering with her mother and sneakily learning to read from her brother's lessons. When she is "kicked out of the nest" (betrothed) she accepts the prospect of marriage like a dutiful daughter, in spite of her fears and questions. The match turns out to be a sham; her new in-laws simply want her dowry to try to heal their invalid son, who passes away quickly. Widowed within months, Koly is powerless in her new life, her friendship with her sister-in-law one of her only pleasures. During a trip to the city, Koly's demanding mother in-law deserts her, and Koly is brought to a home for widowed women trying to put their lives back together. There she develops friendships with peers, finds a job doing what she loves, gets an apartment of her own, and meets a hardworking young farmer whom she thinks any girl would be lucky to have. After years of being a bird that flits from place to place, will she ever find a place to call home again?Whelan's story is like a richly embroidered tapestry itself, filled with intricate details of the sights, sounds and customs of a modern India that is timeless and complex, a place where arranged marriages and duty are contrasted with blue jeans and free choice. The writing is simple and the story engaging. The book, a nontrade-sized hardcover, is decorated with delicate birds and scrollwork, and the title and chapter headings are printed in an appropriately Arabesque or Persian font. A glossary of Hindu words completes the book, and an endnote mentions the famous Indian poet Radindranath Tagore, whose work is introduced to readers through Koly's love for poetry. This is an excellent multicultural piece for middle and high school students; purchase where there is demand for such literature.
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Summary: It's more than good, it's grrrrreat!!!!
Review: I first decided to read this book because lots of my friends told me it was the best. I found it at our school book fair, and was anxious to see if my friends were right. We were having a read-in and right away I settled down and started to read. At first Homeless Bird seemed boring, and I didn't like it. But then, after reading the first chapter I couldn't put it down. This book reminded me that there are still some places in the world where woman don't have really much of a choice to who they are going to marry. This book besides entertaining me, also taught me things that I had never even thought of. I recommend this book to all girls who are glad woman have rights now.
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Summary: An amazing book for kids in the 5th grade!
Review: This book was amazing! It was a real page turner. Homeless Bird is about a girl named Koly. Koly is a 13 year old girl who lives in India with her family. In this book it was an Indian custom that when a child turns 13 he/she was to be married.So Koly's parents had to find her a husband.When they finally found her a husband lots of questions flew around her head. Will I like him? Will he like me? The only thing Koly knew about him was that his name was Hari. At the wedding she found out that Hari was very ill. Another tradition of the Indian people was that the parents of the bride were to pay the parents of the groom a dowry when they got married. The dowry is like a fee for her up bringing,because the bride was to go live at the groom's home with his family.What Koly later found out was that the only reason Hari's parent accepted the dowry was so they can pay the doctor's bill. Koly got very upset. I recommend this book to anyone who likes romantic adventure. It will keep you busy.
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Summary: Homeless Bird
Review: Like many young girls in India, Koly finds herself married at age thirteen. The ill-fated arranged marriage was a ploy by her in-laws to gain her dowry. Koly displays an amazing capacity for compassion when she learns that the deception was perpetrated to gain money for a pilgrimage to Varanasi in a last ditch effort to save the life of Hari, her dying young husband. They make the journey, but Hari dies anyway and his ashes are scattered in the Ganges River. Koly is a teenage widow with little hope for a future. Her sass(mother-in-law) is a mean tempered, bitter woman who has little use for Koly. Koly longs to return to her own family but understands that to do so would bring shame upon them. While she dreams of escaping, Koly stays and works hard for her in-laws. Koly eventually finds herself abandoned by her sass in the city of Vrindava. Homeless and alone she sleeps in a doorway until she finds sanctuary in a shelter for widows. She finds a job, and begins to gain independence and self-respect. Whelan's use of simple but flowing language helps the reader glide through what could have been a genuine tale of woe. Despite all the troubles heaped upon her by the rules of the Indian caste system, Koly manages to hold onto her spirit and not be swallowed up by the bitterness around her. An insightful look at what Americans would consider a shameful way to treat women. Homeless Bird is a valuable addition to libraries that are looking to expand their multicultural fiction. An eye opening exposure to cultural differences, a range of universal emotions, and just enough romance will allow American girls to empathize with Koly. Recommended for middle school girls, ages twelve and up. Adults can appreciate this book too.
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Summary: Wonderful Story of a Life in India
Review: If I could read books like this to my children regularly - I would. A tale of emotional perseverance in a life that at times seems hopeless. A peek into a culture extremely different than our own. My children didn't want me to stop reading - and I had a hard time not finishing it on my own! We need more children's books like this one!
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Summary: Wonderful Book Which Makes You Think
Review: I love this book! I think it portrays the realities of arranged marriages of many girls in India very well. It is the story of how one girl who became a bride and a widow at the age of 13 coped. It is the story of strength, courage, hope, and the ability to go on and survive and be happy no matter what life throws at you. I have read this book many times, and every time I read it, I think of how lucky I am because many children in other counries have to grow up so fast. I belive all teens should read this book.
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