Ahimsa - Supriya Kelkar

In this historical novel, Gandhi asks for one member of each family to join the fight for independence from the British. When Anjali's mother is jailed for doing so, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work. \n \nNew Visions Award Winner, Tu Books \n Amelia Bloomer Project - Feminist Task Force, American Library Association (ALA) \n Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, National Council for the Social Studies/ Children's Book Council\n \nIn this historical middle-grade novel, Gandhi asks for one member of each family to join the fight for independence from the British, and when Anjali's mother is jailed for doing so, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work.\n \nIn 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi asks Indians to give one family member to the freedom movement, ten-year-old Anjali is devastated to think of her father risking his life for the freedom struggle.\n \nBut it turns out he isn't the one joining. Anjali's mother is. And with this change comes many more adjustments designed to improve their country and use ahimsa--non-violent resistance--to stand up to the British government. First the family must trade in their fine foreign-made clothes for homespun cotton, so Anjali has to give up her prettiest belongings. Then her mother decides to reach out to the Dalit community, the untouchables of society. Anjali is forced to get over her past prejudices as her family becomes increasingly involved in the movement.\n \nWhen Anjali's mother is jailed, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work, ensuring that her little part of the independence movement is completed.\n \nInspired by her great-grandmother's experience working with Gandhi, New Visions Award winner Supriya Kelkar shines a light on the Indian freedom movement in this poignant debut.\n