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Small Acts Of Amazing Courage (2011)

by Gloria Whelan(Favorite Author)

3.67 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1442409312 (ISBN13: 9781442409316)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

series

Rosalind of the Raj

review 1: Rosalind is English, but she has been raised in India her whole life. Years ago, her brother Edward was sent back to England to receive his schooling, but he became ill and passed away. Their parents – especially their mother – have never truly gotten over his death. As a result, Rosalind’s mother has kept her close over protestations from her husband and other members of their community who feel that Rosalind is out of control and over-indulged (she likes to wander the bazaar with her local friends and isn’t interested in making proper English friends). After Rosalind rescues an Indian baby from a life of poverty and begging and after she’s discovered at a political rally (listening to Gandhi urging the people to rise up against the British using non-violenc... moree), her father has had enough. He sends her to stay with her aunts in England. Rosalind’s rebellion doesn’t end there. Once she is settled in with the aunts, and she sees how intimidated her Aunt Louise is by her Aunt Ethyl, she does all she can to liberate her as well. When Rosalind is called back to India, she helps Aunt Louise make her escape.I quite liked Rosalind who refused to be cowed by her parents and elders, and, instead, stood up for what she believed – and ACTED. She will never have to look back, frustrated, that she didn’t act in her own and on behalf of others’ best interests. Her chutzpah is noteworthy and admirable. Gloria Whelan does a nice job with this piece of historical fiction – weaving the parallels between Gandhi and the Indian people’s struggles to be free of British rule, and Rosalind and her Aunt Louise’s similar struggles for their own independence. EXCERPT:Of course, all my life, when I had thought there was nothing to worry about, something always happened, and this day was no different.Mother and Father greeted us, Mother with a worried look, and Father with an angry one. Father said, “We have had a cable from Ethyl. She booked a passage to India and is on her way.”My arm was linked with Aunt Louise’s, and I felt her whole body stiffen and then relax. “Never you mind,” she said. “India can surely absorb one more person. And as for me, I know who I am now.”I was startled but not worried. Aunt Ethyl would come with her coldness and her stinginess, but India would warm her against her will, and how could she be stingy when India’s gifts would be all around her like a great bazaar. (pp. 208-209)
review 2: Small Acts of Amazing Courage tells the story of 14 year old Rosalind James, daughter of an officer in the British Indian Forces and her life in India. Unlike most English children, Rosalind was not sent back "home" to England for her education, due to WWI and her mother's poor health. Rosalind was raised with the daughter of her ayah (nursemaid) and considers India her home.When her father returns for service after the war, he finds that Rosalind has stepped over the line of British propriety and sets about restricting her movements to the English community. After the somewhat free lifestyle Rosalind has lead during her father's absence, she find these restrictions a burden. Rosalind continues some of her activities, particularly visiting the bazaar, rescuing a baby from a beggars ring and attending a speech by Ghandi.Intended for middle grade readers, this is a wonderful introduction to life in India during the time of the Raj. In addition, the powerful message of letting your conscience be your guide, asking questions and setting your own path and standing up for what is right while respecting others are all covered in a subtle manner that young readers will enjoy. The cultural differences between India and England are handled very well - facts are presented without sugar-coating or exploitation. less

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