Book Review

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HOMELESS BIRD

BY: GLORIA WHELAN

REVIEWD BY: ERICA WASHINGTON

"Homeless Bird" By Gloria Whelan is a very impressive book. It is about the life of a girl named Koly who is forced to marry at the age thirteen. Her parents can not provide for their two sons; Gopal, Ram, and their only daughter, Koly. Their parents work very hard each day to be able to supply food and shelter for their children. But still, there is not enough food to go around the dinner table.

Koly’s parents searched for a suitable husband for her. They finally find one for her around the market place. They arrange for Koly to pack her bags and be on her way to her new home. Her and her parents take the time to meet the parents of Hari; her future husband. Although Koly doesn’t want to leave her loving family, she believe that it would be disrespectful if she pleaded to go back home. But she knows that all her parents wanted is what’s best for her.

The day after her very awkward wedding, her and her family find out that Hari is actually younger then Koly, which is a problem. In India, when a young girl gets married, it is usually to a boy older then her, maybe even a man. They also figure out that Hari’s parents have done something un-explainable.

When Koly’s mom and dad leave her, she is now left with a pair of silver earrings. She is prepared to do chores around her new home with Chandra, her sister-in-law. Koly finds out that through out the whole house, there are only two people that truly love her. But after a while, things change.

Something terrible happens to Hari which leaves Koly all by herself to survive in the city with only her dignity. Very generous people help her and take her into their homes.

Koly falls in love once again which causes her to find out that someone really loves her and doesn't only want the dowry. Although she still yearns to go home, she learns that there are more people who love her and that she will soon have to know how to survive in India as a young girl.

This is a very inspiring book. It shows many young girls that life in India may be rough, but it is a way of teaching them that life isn’t easy.

"Immediately I knew that it would be the homeless bird, flying at last to its home." Koly from "Homeless Bird" By Gloria Whelan