Homeless Bird

by Gloria Whelan

Like many girls her age in India, 13-year-old Koly is wed to a stranger whom her parents have chosen. In the wake of her marriage, however, Koly's life takes an unexpected turn, and she finds herself alone in a strange city of white-sari-clad widows. Her only choice seems to be to shed her name and her future and join the hopeless hordes who chant for food. "An insightful, beautifully written, culturally illuminating tale"-Booklist.

$4.95
Paperback Book | Grades 6-9

Homeless Bird

Grades 6-9 $4.95

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Indian School

by Gloria Whelan and Gabriella Dellosso

When Lucy's parents die, she is sent to live with her stern aunt and kindly uncle who are missionaries on an Indian reservation where all are not treated fairly or kindly.

$4.95
Paperback Book | Grades 3-5

Indian School

Grades 3-5 $4.95

Homeless Bird

Author: Gloria Whelan

Interest Level:
6-8

Lexile Framework:
800L

Grade Level Equivalent:
6.1

Guided Reading Level:
X

Age:
11-14

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Subject:
Determination and Perseverance, Families and Social Structures, Women's Rights, Courage, East Indian

"Leaving Home...forever. "

Like many girls her age in India, thirteen-year-old Koly is getting married. When she discovers that the husband her parents have chosen for her is sickly boy with wicked parents, Koly wishes she could flee. According to tradition, though, she has no choice. On her wedding day, Koly's fate is sealed.

What Koly never dreams of is that she will be a widow in that very same year. When her sickly husband dies, Koly is left without any rights, sentenced to a life of hunger, loneliness, and servitude to her cruel mother-in-law.

Just as Koly begins to accept the hardships of her existence, her life once again takes a devastating turn. Young Koly is stranded in a city of unwanted widows who must wander the streets for hours begging for food. On the edge of starvation, Koly finds the strength and courage she needs to survive. Blending together the ancient traditions of her village life and a newfound independence, Koly learns to live for herself and pour her feelings into the beautiful art of embroidery. And a life, like a beautiful tapestry, comes together for Koly — one stitch at a time.

Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL) and 2000 National Book Award Winner