Although Kelkar’s debut novel takes place in colonial India in the 1940s, when Indian citizens were fighting for independence from British rule, it is uncannily timely: 10-year old Anjali grapples with issues of social justice in many of the same ways young people are today.

When Anjali’s mother quits her job to become a freedom fighter, Anjali is reluctant to join the struggle, as it means she will have to eschew her decorated skirts and wear home-spun khadi (hand-woven cotton) instead, inviting the mockery of her school nemeses. But as her relationship with her mother evolves, her experience of and commitment to activism change as well. When her mother is imprisoned and commences a hunger strike, Anjali continues her work and begins to unlearn her prejudices. According to an author’s note, Kelkar was inspired by the biography of her great-grandmother Anasuyabai Kale, and the tale is enriched by the author’s proximity to the subject matter and access to primary sources. Kelkar also complicates Western impressions of Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi—Anjali realizes that Gandhi is flawed—and introduces readers to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a figure rarely mentioned in texts for young people in the United States but who is best known for campaigning against social discrimination of Dalits, or members of India’s lower castes.

This 2015 New Visions Award winner offers a complex narrative and inspires readers to check their privilege to address ongoing injustices. (Historical fiction. 8-12)

-Kirkus Review

Ahimsa means “non-violent resistance.” Set in India in 1942, Ahimsa portrays the Indian struggle for independence through a strong female protagonist, 10-year-old Anjali. Includes Author’s Note, Further Reading, Glossary.

children's middlegrade historical fiction (Gandhi's nonviolent protest movement for an independent India prior to the Partition of India/Pakistan; friendship with/inclusion of "low-caste" Dalits as well as between Hindus and Muslims)
Educational and enlightening story featuring a brave little girl. For more on Partition, try Hiranandani's The Night Diary. ( )

Anjali is taken by surprise when her mom quits her job working for the British governor and decides to join the Freedom Fighters in India. The year is 1942 and there is a lot of upheaval. Gandhi has been arrested and is on a hunger strike. There's rioting and fighting between Muslims and Hindus, there is a push to uphold tradition and breakdown barriers between the castes, and there is pressure to free India from British control. Anjali has a lot of fight for her and wants things to change. While at first she doesn't appreciate burning her beautiful saris, over the course of the book she embraces the fight for freedom and equality even as it costs her and her family much. But she begins to see the priviledge she has had and builds awareness of the realities of others, particularly through her relationship with Mohan, a Dalit. ( )

This is a great book that I feel would really open my students' eyes to different cultures and societies other than their own. I certainly learned quite a bit more about the different caste levels/system in India from reading this book, and I assumed I already knew a significant amount, but soon realizes I had a lot to learn as well. The main character/narrator is someone whom you can connect to and root for and it's a great book for discussion with youth about themes such as: status, equality, religion, government, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and plan to promote it for choice reading among my students. ( )