Neela: Victory Song (Girls of Many Lands)

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: 12 year old Neela has lived a simple life in her village in Bengal. The British still have rule over India, and though sometimes she hears bad things about them, life is good for her. At Neela's older sister's wedding, many things change. A group of freedom-fighters interrupt the ceremony, and ask for donations. Some people don't support the freedom-fighters, and have the belief that the British are doing them good. Heated discussions spring out as a result, and Neela is a little bit worried. She is even more so after her Baba announces that he is going to Calcutta, to talk to a non-violence group who wants to establish peace in India. The reason this frightens Neela so much is that Calcutta is one of the British headquarters, and many violent things have been going on. Later on, after tested to see what she needs to do, Neela runs away to Calcutta to rescue her Father. Though, the British live in fancy homes and talk nicely, they treat the Indian people like dirt. While everyone else is in poverty, they are relaxing in their posh lifestyles. Unfortunately, as Neela finds out, some Indians amazingly support the British. Neela makes daring efforts, and has an adventure that would last generations!

Rating:
Summary: LOVE IT!!!
Review: A MUST GET for girls 10-18!!! I have love the suspence and action I had to read the whole book in 2 hours!!! Has all the things a girl could want in a book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Neela Victory Song
Review: Neela is a twelve-year-old girl, she is brave, smart and intelligent. She lives in India with her mother, father, and her sister who is getting married. Neela is worried about India's freedom. Her father left to go fight for Mother India's freedom. Now Neela is stuck with her mother who is trying to find a husband for her, but Neela has other things on her mind than marriage. Three weeks go by, and now Neela is very worried about her father, who was supposed to come back two weeks ago.
Is her father still alive? Will he come back soon? Find out!
*Lali*

Rating:
Summary: Neela Victory Song
Review: Neela is a twelve-year-old girl, she is brave, smart and intelligent. She lives in India with her mother, father, and her sister who is getting married. Neela is worried about India's freedom. Her father left to go fight for Mother India's freedom. Now Neela is stuck with her mother who is trying to find a husband for her, but Neela has other things on her mind than marriage. Three weeks go by, and now Neela is very worried about her father, who was supposed to come back two weeks ago.
Is her father still alive? Will he come back soon? Find out!
*Lali*

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: Neela is truly an inspiration to me in this book. I loved how she went to extreme lengths to rescue her father. I am also indian and feel for my parents the way she did for hers. I learned about one of the most important times in India's history in this book and it made me realize how lucky I am to live in America where there is freedom. I am also thankful to be a girl in this day and age where girls can do anything they please. I really felt bad for Neela's lack of opportunities but despite that she still got through all her obstacles. This is truly a great book!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and educational.
Review: This book contains quite a bit of information about the politics of India at a very tumultuous time; the information is presented in a way to make it extremely accessible to young women, which is an impressive feat. It seems to me like a lot of the Pleasant Company's main characters are somewhat rebellious, which makes them more attractive to a modern audience but also probably makes them less realistic. However, supporting characters, like Neela's sister in this book, let us view what more traditional young women would be doing as the action (in this case, Neela risking everything familiar to save her family and help her country) took place.