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Homeless Bird | 
 enlarge | Author: Gloria Whelan
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Category: Book
List Price: $5.99
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Rating:  191 reviews
Sales Rank: 66334
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
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
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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+
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| Customer Reviews: Read 186 more reviews...
 Great Book June 14, 2008
I almost didn't get this book and now I'm so glad I did. It's the best book I've read recently. I'm stingy on my 5 stars, however I feel this one deserves it.
 Koly's Saving Graces! June 4, 2008
Rarely do I enjoy a young adult's novel, GLoria Whelan writes beautifully about an Indian girl, Koly, who is arranged to be married to Hari, a young sickly man, who needs her dowry to go to a religious city in India as a possible hope for a cure. Koly marries him anyway. THere is nothing written about the consumation of the relationship. Her husband is so ill that he dies on the journey. Koly becomes a widow which is unlucky in their culture. Koly must live with her husband's family which includes a wonderful sister-in-law Chandra who becomes her best friend and her saving grace in the marriage. Koly's mother-in-law treats her like a servant and her father-in-law dies leaving them both widows and poor at best. Koly's mother-in-law known as Sass abandons her in a foreign city to live with her brother in New Delhi. Koly doesn't know the address and Sass has left her alone with 50 rubies. She finds love and friendship in a rickashaw man, Raji, and she finds independence and work. Koly's other saving grace was her love of reading poetry. Koly and Raji have quite a love affair but nothing goes further. He wants to marry her and bring her to his village but she is torn between living in the city and being independent while becoming a wife and possible mother.
homeless bird March 28, 2008
Koly likes to stay at home and do some chores to help her family, and also when she got married she borrows books to read. Her parents forced her to leave her family and marry someone she have never met.The setting took place at India.On her wedding day every person which is her family they were happy and delightful.koly find her self cast out,lost in strange and cruel world.she was caught up in a current tradition that theaten to sweep her toward a terrifying fate. when koly was not married her maa had no use for book.she couldn't go to school because her parent didn't have any money. the only thing they pay is the bill for her brothers to go to school.When Koly was married she left her family and stay their with her husband who is hari.saas which is mother in law treat Koly very bad.she abused her by doing everything and she have to wake up early and sleep early.she yearns to flee,but tradition dictated that it's too late to turn back.when it hari sister who is chandra it was her marraige and Koly told her that she wish that she had money to buy a gift for her.she looked beautiful when she was walking through the hallway. when Chandra husband had a mustache like a mouse tail.when chandra married she was the same to live her family just like Koly.I like this book because it's just like Chineese Cinderalla and I will recommend this book to someone because it's exiting and fun.
A Gem of a Book November 14, 2007
"Homeless Bird" is a perfect little gem of a book. Set in India, it is a story of courage and patience in the face of disappointment and betrayal. A young widow abandoned by her in-laws seems to have no hope of making any kind of life for herself. But, in time, her patience, kind-hearted nature, talent for embroidery, and a little luck combine to give her a second chance.
I enjoyed learning about the culture of India as I read this book. I recommend it for ages 10 and up.
 entertaining, but... November 11, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
After returning from a three-week family vacation in India, we listened to this book on tape during a long drive and found it very entertaining. Although there is some romance in this story, it still captured the attention of my teen and pre-teen sons; however, I must admit they were a captive audience. Much of the charm of the story came through listening to an excellent actress (Sarita Choudhury) capture the rhythm and inflection of English as spoken by Indians. Several of the sights, sounds, and smells described in this book reminded us of our time in India.
However, the ending made me wonder how much the author really understood Indian culture. I thought that, while it was a romantic and entertaining ending, it was very American. Though I'm told that love marriages are becoming more common, I couldn't imagine my Indian friends, or the people I met in India, thinking that this would be a normal Indian resolution to the story.
Some parents may not want younger children exposed to several of the more tragic parts of the story. There is also an episode in the story where the main character has put herself in an unsavory situation, and she naively consumes a drink containing a drug. She learns a valuable lesson without excessive hardship, but this may be why the book is recommended for ages 11 or 12 on up.
"Homeless Bird" is the title of a poem by Rabindrath Tagore, and a book of his poems plays a key role in the story. Because of this, I gained a curiosity about and appreciation for his poetry, and I'm poetically challenged! My favorite poem of his is "The Gift", but I also like parts of "Gitanjali." I haven't sampled much of his poetry yet, though.
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