Homeless Bird

Jul 31, 2012 karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: and-so-this-is-grad-school

please don't arrange my marriage.

and if you must, please don't marry me off to some sickly bitchy thing who will soon die and trap me in my inlaws' house where i will be a burden and where they will treat me like a servant but i won't have anywhere else to go until they in turn ditch me in some creepy city where discarded widows try to make a go of it.

just don't do it.
it is the worst.

this book is pretty good, but my warrior-liberated-woman parts gag when confronted with these types of situation...more

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Jun 05, 2008 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

A coming of age story of a different sort. Koly is married off to a boy she's never met--a boy who is ill and she learns the only reason she was married to him was so his parents could gain the dowry to pay for his medical care. Soon Koly is widowed and must face a difficult life against the difficult traditions of her culture. Beautiful and tragic. Grades 4 - 7.

From VOYA:
"Despite the obvious elements of fairy tale—cruel mother-in-law, attractive young male coming to the rescue—the book does not...more

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Feb 14, 2008 (B) Archer at KIPP rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who has ever felt lonely before

Recommended to (B) Archer by: Ana Lia Diego

Shelves: girls-have-read

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelanis about a girl named Koly who lives in a poor village in India; and she is 13 years old and she has to get married so that the food in her house could go around. So they marry her off to a "16 year old", but in reality he is 13 years old and he is very sick. Her mother-in-law is very cruel to her because she does not want her to see her husband, they want to take Hari (her husband) to "the Holy Ganges" to heal him.Turns out that Hari dies and Koly has to live with...more

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Sep 12, 2008 Lanier rated it 5 of 5 stars

So there I was in an English Department meeting and Tasche says, "You really should've read this book," since it was on the incoming Freshmen's Summer Reading list. I sat there dumbfounded, not realizing it was on their reading list nor that I had actually read it three or four years ago. It's not that it's a nondescript book, quite the opposite, but you know how it is sometimes when you've zipped through so many short-short good reads and you forget one because a more powerful novel by Rabindra...more

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May 01, 2008 The other John rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: schoolbook, lifeinforeignlands

This is a tale of a young girl from a traditional Indian family, Koly, who is subjected to an arranged marriage. (What date this story is set, I don't know. I'm assuming it's a modern day setting as the book mentions color photographs and computers) As you might guess from the title, it doesn't quite work out very well. How it doesn't work out, I won't reveal. It was an interesting tale, well worth checking out. The characters are done quite well, with a bit of depth to them. Koly especially is...more

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Jun 30, 2008 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 6th and 7th graders

Recommended to Emily by: my teacher

This story is a Hindu story about a girl who is told she is getting married at the age of 13. Then later she finds out the person she is supposed to get married to only wanted to get married for the dowry (Hindu term for gift to get married to the person, in other words, she had to give the family of the man she was marrying a gift, like money to marry him) so they can pay for him to go to The Ganges and get healed because he is very ill. The story gets worse and worse for Koly (main character)...more

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Jan 16, 2009 Linmo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Explanation of Rating: Generally, I liked the plot of the story that described about a young widow who was abandoned by her mother-in-law. The plot attracted me because I could not expect what would happen to her next. In fact, I was interested in her life before she became a widow, because I could learn about Indian weddings and different livelihoods in India. However, learning about her life after she became a widow was also a great way to learn about India and worthwhile to read.

Recommendati...more Explanation of Rating: Generally, I liked the plot of the story that described about a young widow who was abandoned by her mother-in-law. The plot attracted me because I could not expect what would happen to her next. In fact, I was interested in her life before she became a widow, because I could learn about Indian weddings and different livelihoods in India. However, learning about her life after she became a widow was also a great way to learn about India and worthwhile to read.

Recommendation: Homeless Bird is about a story of an Indian widow. This book gives a good explanation about the circumstances of widows in India, and also goes into detail about how the young brides are abandoned by their husbands’ families. The story of Indian widows is really interesting to read about because the book describes various conditions of the widows with outstanding descriptive words. The book does not seem hard to read, and I want to recommend Homeless Bird to someone who is interested in Indian traditions and the lives of widows in India.

Summary:
The story began with a marriage of a young girl, Koly, and a boy named, Hari. The young bride, Koly, did not know about Hari’s illness and his parents’ plan. They were hurried to find a bride for sick Hari, in order to cure him, because if he finds a bride, he could get a dowry from the bride’s family. His parents were planned to use the dowry to cure Hari’s sickness. Later, Koly discovered his parents’ plan but she felt sorry for Hari, so she decided to satisfy her life by helping with curing his sickness. Unfortunately, Hari could not live any longer and his father also died because of his work. Hari’s mother did not like Koly so his mother abandoned Koly in an unknown place. Koly did not know what she had to do in these unfamiliar circumstances. Luckily, she met one boy called, Raji, and she was introduced to a widow’s house. Koly lived in this house with the other widows and she worked by using her embroidery skills. Koly’s life had changed a lot as a result of being Hari’s wife, the death of Hari and his father, be abandoned by her mother-in-law, and living with other widows who were similar to her life. At last, Koly would be married with Raji who built a house for her in a village. Koly overcame all her hardships in her life, and finally her life started to become happy just like what she had dreamed of before she married Hari.
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Mar 18, 2013 Devin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adolescent-literature

Gloria Whelan's Homeless Bird follows the story of Koly, a young Indian woman who is given in an arranged marriage while only 13 years old. This book shows the collision of tradition and modernity as it follows her setbacks and victories. When she meets her husband on their wedding day, she realizes that his parents have lied about his age and that he is very sick. His parents wanted the marriage only so Koly's dowry could pay to take Hari to the Ghanges river. But he succumbs to the disease, th...more Gloria Whelan's Homeless Bird follows the story of Koly, a young Indian woman who is given in an arranged marriage while only 13 years old. This book shows the collision of tradition and modernity as it follows her setbacks and victories. When she meets her husband on their wedding day, she realizes that his parents have lied about his age and that he is very sick. His parents wanted the marriage only so Koly's dowry could pay to take Hari to the Ghanges river. But he succumbs to the disease, their marriage is unconsummated, and a 13 year old girl is left with no children, no husband, and no where to go. Her mother-in-law grows eager to get rid of her, so later in the book Koly finds herself in an unfriendly city that is full of cast out widows with no where to go. It is here that Koly begins her own life of making her own money and dreaming her own dreams.

This book is perfect for young adolescents who are beginning to realize that the world does not revolve around them and their culture. It reveals just enough to bring up social and relational issues, but not too much disturbing detail. It could definitely spark conversations and deeper levels of thinking for a middle school age group, especially since the story starts when Koly is that age and follows her through. They could see how different cultures react to poverty, adversity, and technology, but they could also the the resilience of the human spirit that crosses cultural and racial boundaries.

I think the major theme of this book is resilience. Koly has to fight through so much to come to a place where she can accept herself and love the life she has. She does not succumb to despair, though she is sad. She is not cruel, but she is mistreated and broken. She is not an adult, but she must make adult decisions at a young age. Her character shows readers that they can make it through whatever hardship life throws at you, and that even when abandoned by family and friends, anyone can make it with a little bit of help.

Literarily, I struggled with this book a great deal. I couldn't decide if it was a two or a three, so I gave it a three based on it being a book for early adolescents, but if I were evaluating it for older students or adults I would give it a two. There is simply too much of a happy ending. Koly does not have to deal with sex trafficking, prostitution, or abuse. She is not made to sleep with a man as a child. This character is very sanitized compared to the real women who are facing similar hardships; they have it so much worse. I appreciated the entertainment factor of the love story, but it didn't add a whole lot to the honest portrayal of Indian culture. It did, however, serve to show Koly becoming a woman who chooses her own destiny.

God's truth is evident in Koly's steadfast love and in her hope. Even while she does not love Hari romantically, she tries her best to love him because he is her husband. She even has respect for Sass and love for Sassur, and especially Chandra. She includes people like Mala in her quilt because she cares deeply for people and recognizes the impact they have on her life. She is also hopeful and exhibits faith that some good will come of all her hardships. And she is rewarded for her faithfulness.

While I did not score this book very high and would score it still lower for those over the age of 16, it is a fantastic book about a culture people do not know enough about. It is a great conversation starter and way to engage people in a discussion on race, tradition, and caring for the poor and widows. Overall, this is a solid story that is well worth the read. (less)

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Mar 18, 2013 Kathryn Carlsen added it

Shelves: lit-for-adolescence

I thought that this book as beautiful. It was an easy, quick read but was so full of information and rich in story. It was like an informational book without feeling informational. I learned so much about the Indian/Hindu culture from this read that I never knew before. I think that it really opened my eyes to everything that happens in that culture, such as the desperation of parents, the brutal reality of arranged marriage, and the happiness that can be found even when forced into a horrible s...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Courtney added it

Shelves: adolescent-literature

Before I even started reading Homeless Bird, I was looking forward to learning about another culture through the book. I was not disappointed. The author seemed to be familiar with Indian customs and rituals and carefully balanced the line between explaining enough that I understood and leaving some things for me to figure out on my own so that I did not feel talked down to. I appreciated the strong female protagonist, especially from a culture where women are not not seen as as valuable as men....more

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Mar 18, 2013 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adolescent-lit-class

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan is a wonderful story about a young girl growing up in India, arranged to marry a man she does not love and encounters obstacles with death, homelessness and gaining her own independence. Whelan draws the reader in immediately with Koly's arranged marriage and gaining an emotional connection to her story because she is afraid about her new life. The way Koly is presented to the reader, gives an image of strength in a culture where women are seen as good housewives w...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Erin Ingold rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adolescent-literature

Homeless Bird, by Gloria Whelan, is an incredible and heartwarming novel. A courageous and brave thirteen-year-old Indian girl is getting married to a man she has never seen or heard of. This novel is about the reality of marriage in an Indian culture. Koly is marrying a deathly ill young man who happens to not be much older than her. The boy’s family is in desperate need of money so they can take him to the sacred river to be healed. Unfortunately, the river had nothing to offer. Koly struggles...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Jill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: literature-for-adolescentss

"Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan depicts the heartbreaking reality of child brides in India. Koly, who is about twelve or thirteen at the beginning of the book, has just been married to a boy who is sentenced to die. After a short marriage, Koly is a widow, and thus, a second-class citizen. The book then follows Koly's life- her heartache, her bravery, and her eventual redemption. This is a well-written story depicting important values and stories of worth and redemptive struggle. I particularly...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Avery Malmgren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Coming into this book and knowing some facts about the Indian culture I was expecting some of the hardship that appeared in the book. However, the more I read, the more I became afraid that Koly's life would never prosper, and she was so young. From the beginning, Koly's honesty in her character captured me. Her way of telling the story with complete honesty and raw emotion created pathos in the novel. I enjoyed how her character embodied the dichotomous nature of a child and an adult--all resul...more Coming into this book and knowing some facts about the Indian culture I was expecting some of the hardship that appeared in the book. However, the more I read, the more I became afraid that Koly's life would never prosper, and she was so young. From the beginning, Koly's honesty in her character captured me. Her way of telling the story with complete honesty and raw emotion created pathos in the novel. I enjoyed how her character embodied the dichotomous nature of a child and an adult--all resulting from her abrupt circumstance changes in her short life. The craft of writing in this novel definitely made this novel into the National Book Award Winner. Throughout the novel, the many symbolic animals represent different experiences and emphasize the culture that Koly lived in. In addition, the theme of birds throughout the novel helped create this sense of a caged freedom that Koly is living in. From the beginning of the novel she describes her father's job to capture words is like trapping a cage bird. Later, she uses the symbolism of the dove to depict Hari. I also find it interesting how this dove symbolism is juxtaposed next to the description of her white sari she will wear as a widow. Because a dove is white and symbolizes purity, this contrast emphasizes the freedom of Hari's soul and the capturing of Koly's in this abandoned new life, as well as the purity of the dove next to the inauspicious nature of Koly's new life as a widow. The embroidery that Koly does also kept me interested in the novel. This threaded (pun intended) connection throughout the novel demonstrates Koly's entire life and acts as a sense of relief for her, as well as connects her back to her family at home. The novel develops a myriad of emotions ranging from deep low points to redemptive moments that emphasize hope. In addition to emotion, Gloria Whelan depicts the Indian culture as one set apart and unique, as well as corrupt in its governmental and social systems. This novel would work well in an adolescent world literature course. Being able to look at the caste systems and the seriousness of marriage in the culture would help students move outside of their own culture. In the novel itself, I found it interesting that Raji's philosophy on love took a western view rather than its traditional eastern philosophy. While I enjoyed this twist in the novel because I wanted Koly to prosper, I found it difficult to see this happening realistically. However, this contrast helped me as a reader compare the culture in which I live to the Indian culture even more.(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Sakura L. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

(baca satu halaman kemarin--gak usah dihitung lah ya)

Koly, seorang gadis India akhirnya harus menjalani tujuan akhir dari kelahiran seorang anak perempuan dalam suatu keluarga; pernikahan. Tanpa mengetahui apapun mengenai calon suaminya--kecuali namanya, Koly menjadi seorang isteri yang sakit-sakitan.
Banyak kejadian yang tidak pernah diharapkan oleh Koly. Menjadi janda hingga dibuang ke Kota Janda. Namun semua kejadian itu adalah suatu perjalanan untuknya untuk mencapai kebahagiaan sejatinya.
---...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Theresa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adolescent-lit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. The book’s synopsis gave me the impression that the entire story, from beginning to end, would be sad. I’m so relieved to say that was not the case! Of course, the first 60-ish percent of the book was very tragic, and I grew in my sympathy for the poor main character.
Koly is a young Indian girl whose marriage is arranged for her by her parents and her parents-in-law. She is the object of the imperfections in her society; it seems she does nothing bu...more I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. The book’s synopsis gave me the impression that the entire story, from beginning to end, would be sad. I’m so relieved to say that was not the case! Of course, the first 60-ish percent of the book was very tragic, and I grew in my sympathy for the poor main character.
Koly is a young Indian girl whose marriage is arranged for her by her parents and her parents-in-law. She is the object of the imperfections in her society; it seems she does nothing but suffer for several years of her life. Against her will (which admittedly, isn’t much; she’s very submissive), she marries a young boy with a terminal illness. We later learn that he is dying from tuberculosis. Shortly after the wedding, Koly’s husband dies and she is left a widow. Because she can’t go back to her own family, she becomes almost a slave for her awful mother-in-law, Sass. At this point in the story, I lost some of my hope for the book. I grew very angry at Sass and worried that Koly would never have a good life. Honestly, I never found a redeeming quality in Sass, even after finishing the book. She never showed compassion toward Koly, even after her own husband died and she became a widow herself. For a little while I felt a little bit sorry for Sass, but then, after she leaves Koly at the big city temple, I lost all sympathy for her.
Surprisingly, after Koly’s abandonment in the big city, her life takes a much more positive turn. I was happy because there seemed to be a brighter future for Koly than a beggar and widow until death. As she grew closer to Raji, I could tell that a relationship would develop into something. The end of the book honestly brought a huge sigh of relief for me. I imagined that Koly’s tragic life would end with more tragedy, but I was so encouraged by her final decision to marry Raji. Despite my sad feelings throughout the book so far, I felt my heart get excited for Koly! I was surprised to feel hopeful for the first time!
Raji was probably my favorite character. He was non-judgmental when Koly admitted to using drugs at a party. He showed patience as he waited for her decision to marry him. Best of all (in Koly’s opinion), he supported her own passions and encouraged her to continue in an activity that gave her joy. Raji seemed like a man unlike any other in that culture; I believe he has the ability to change that society’s perception of women. When I thought about his support for women, I pictured our own Western feminist movement. I love when men can rally behind a woman and support her equality with him. He did not force her to marry him; he barely even influenced her. He only had a respectful, loving, equally-yoked relationship with her, and lovingly asked—and waited—for her hand. I couldn’t have imagined a sweeter or more hopeful ending.
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Nov 04, 2012 Sherry Ou Yang rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 10th-grade

At the age of thirteen Koly is forced into a arranged marriage between her and a boy whom she has never met. The wedding plans are set and the dowry is given until on the wedding day Koly finds out a horrific secret. The boy whom she is marrying is either the same age as her or worse younger which meant his parents had lied to Koly's family about him. Another shocking secret is that he is very ill and the only reason Koly was marrying him was because his parents wanted the money to take him to t...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Savanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: awards, young-adult, wish-list, 2012

Homeless Bird is about a girl named Koly. Koly is only thirteen before she is married off to a boy she has never met. The parents of her bridegroom lie to Koly's parents pretending that the boy is older that he is and that he is better than he is; because Koly's new husband is dying, Koly's new in-laws married him off to get the money necessary to take their son to a sacred river where they hope he will be healed. He isn't and soon dies. Koly is left a widow at age thirteen. Koly's life is nothi...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-literature

Gloria Whelan's Homeless Bird is a pleasant enough story. Predictable and pleasant. It is a fast read and Koly is a likable protagonist.

But shortly after beginning the book I stopped to research the author. As I suspected after my first few pages of reading, Whelan herself is neither Indian or of Indian ancestry and has never traveled to India. I believe that it IS possible for writers to write successfully outside of their own experiences, but I am EXTREMELY wary of authors who attempt to write...more Gloria Whelan's Homeless Bird is a pleasant enough story. Predictable and pleasant. It is a fast read and Koly is a likable protagonist.

But shortly after beginning the book I stopped to research the author. As I suspected after my first few pages of reading, Whelan herself is neither Indian or of Indian ancestry and has never traveled to India. I believe that it IS possible for writers to write successfully outside of their own experiences, but I am EXTREMELY wary of authors who attempt to write of places, cultures, social classes, and experiences that are not their own, nor even similar. To do so requires incredible amounts of research, intense self-reflection, a willingness to consult and learn from others who are more knowledgeable, and an intentional effort to present a truthful, unbiased reflection of reality -- even in the writing of fiction. In fiction like Homeless Bird, the setting is taken as truth by an audience, in this case most likely American children, who may not have the knowledge or experience to spot cultural misrepresentations.

As a white woman living in the woods of northern Michigan who has never traveled to India, it is possible that Whelan could write a truthful reflection of India culture and customs. But, I have a gut feeling telling me to be concerned. Whelan's own words, from her website, don't bring me any comfort. She says, "Sometimes I write about places that are far away or about earlier times. This gives me a chance to live in other countries and in other times -- at least in my head. The research for these books is like a treasure hunt, I never know what I'm going to find. I’ve made imaginary trips to China, India, and Vietnam." As a reader, I want to know that these imaginary adventures into the "exotic" are supported by hard researched, intensely fact checked effort. I am unconvinced.

I lived and worked in India for a portion of this year and I worked with children Koly's age coming from villages and families like Koly's. India is a big place and a vast array of experiences coexist within India culture and customs. Arranged marriages, dowries, and child brides still exist (as does sati -- ceremonial widow burning -- which Whelan seems to deny as something of the past no longer practiced (pg. 34-35)). Similarly, urban life does include Indians dressed in jeans and t-shirts, air-conditioning, and opportunistic men and women (who exist everywhere in most cultures). To me, reading Koly's story felt like a Western voice telling an Eastern story. It did not feel like an Indian voice, born and raised in Indian culture, telling her own story in her own voice.

And that is big problem because Homeless Bird is a National Book Award winner, which means it is frequently used in classrooms, likely as "diversity enhancement." And to read of Indian culture in an inauthentic voice is dangerous and disrespectful. There is so much wonderful literature written by Indian writers, and I am nervous what half-truths and misperceptions might be taken away from a reading of this book by young people, particularly if their teacher is not him- or herself aware of the potential pitfalls of including a text like this in the curriculum without intense critical reflection and the addition of other primary sources.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, but it threw up red flags for me about the authentic representation of Indian life and culture.(less)

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Jun 14, 2012 Kelsie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan is considered to be Young Adult Literature and is classified as Fiction.

This is a book summary from amazon.com

Whelan (Miranda's Last Stand) blends modern Hindu culture with age-old Indian traditions as she profiles a poor girl's struggle to survive in a male-dominated society. Only 13 when her parents find her a husband, Koly can't help feeling apprehensive about leaving home to live in a distant village with her in-laws and husband, none of whom she has met. The t...more Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan is considered to be Young Adult Literature and is classified as Fiction.

This is a book summary from amazon.com

Whelan (Miranda's Last Stand) blends modern Hindu culture with age-old Indian traditions as she profiles a poor girl's struggle to survive in a male-dominated society. Only 13 when her parents find her a husband, Koly can't help feeling apprehensive about leaving home to live in a distant village with her in-laws and husband, none of whom she has met. The truth is worse than she could have feared: the groom, Hari, is a sickly child, and his parents have wanted only a dowry, not a wife for him, in order to pay for a trip to Benares so Hari might bathe in the holy waters of the Ganges. Koly is widowed almost immediately; later, she is abandoned in the holy city of Vrindavan by her cruel mother-in-law. Koly, likened to a "homeless bird" in a famous poem by Rabindranath Tagore, embodies the tragic plight of Hindu women without status, family or financial security. She is saved from a dismal fate by her love of beauty, her talent for embroidery and the philanthropy of others--and by Whelan's tidy plotting, which introduces a virtuous young man, a savvy benefactress and a just employer in the nick of time. The feminist theme that dominates the happily-ever-after ending seems more American than Indian, but kids will likely enjoy this dramatic view of an endangered adolescence and cheer Koly's hard-won victories.

I think this was a fabulous book on all accounts! The story of Koly is the story of so many women around the world. This book serves as a window into other modern day cultures. At the beginning of the book you think that this story takes places hundreds of years ago. However, when computers are brought up it is a shocking realization that this is the same time period, just different cultures.

This is a book I certainly would recommend to young adult readers. It is a short book, and easy to read, but the content is good for young adults.(less)

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Mar 22, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adolescent-literature

Homeless Bird is a well written story that incorporates the cultural traditions of India into a thought provoking book. The book was written in a very understandable format so many younger readers may enjoy this book. The length of the book is also a great length for someone who has not done much reading. Whelan uses some Hindi words so the reader is also encouraged to learn something new from a culture different than their own. Whelan did a great job of capturing Koley's emotions as she was lea...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Brad.draper rated it 4 of 5 stars

First of all, I could see right away that it was well written. From my understanding other other cultures like this one, the dialogue that the author expresses throughout the book reflected how I tend to think Indian culture communicates with one another; by that, I mean in a very proper way. One thing I didn't like was how the author just jumped through years with Koly. At one point, she was 13, then a few pages later, she was all-of-the-sudden 3 years older. Going back to what I liked about th...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Ben Peltier rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adolescent-literature

Gloria Whelan’s novel Homeless Bird describes the hardships of a poor girl from India. The girl, Koly, is forced to marry a sick man at the age of thirteen and becomes a widow shortly after. The main plot revolves around her hardships as a young widow who, in that society, is a looked down upon as a drain on the supporting family.

Homeless Bird excellently describes the terrible conditions that females live under in India. Women have few rights and are sometimes forced into marriage at disgusti...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Chrislyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adolescent-lit

Another great adolescent read. I love reading stories about different cultures and learning their customs. This story, which takes place in India, is about the life of a poor Indian girl obligated to marry someone she does not know and later abandoned after his death because her mother-in-law does not want her. This “discarding” of useless or unwanted relatives is a mystery to me. In what way is it okay to abandon, say, the elderly mother that has raised you your whole life and had nothing but t...more Another great adolescent read. I love reading stories about different cultures and learning their customs. This story, which takes place in India, is about the life of a poor Indian girl obligated to marry someone she does not know and later abandoned after his death because her mother-in-law does not want her. This “discarding” of useless or unwanted relatives is a mystery to me. In what way is it okay to abandon, say, the elderly mother that has raised you your whole life and had nothing but the best wishes for you and your family? And what makes a culture think that, because her husband has died at a young age, her life ought to be forfeit? Growing up, I was taught that every life is important. I do not believe anyone has the right to distinguish between the value of one’s life and another’s.

Gloria Whelan shows this culturally-accepted tradition in a negative light. Koly’s mother-in-law choses her to marry her son solely for her dowry; it would pay for a trip to the Ganges where she hoped her son could be healed. After her son dies, she treats Koly more like a servant than a daughter. When she is forced to relocate, she abandons Koly in Vrindavan, a city of homeless widows. There Koly meets older widows who were brought to the city to fend for themselves by their own sons!

The title, Homeless Bird explains the theme of the novel. Koly feels very much like the caged bird in a poem; trapped by those in authority over her and with no place to call home. Multiple times throughout the novel she considers returning to her parents’ house, but she knows she cannot because it would not be acceptable to the culture. Koly is a strong character. She works hard at every task she is given and takes care of others, no matter their attitude towards her. She is very human in that she feels deeply the loss of loved ones, injustice at the lack of compassion in others, and, sometimes, anger towards those that keep her “caged.”

My only critique on this book is that there is not much descriptive detail. Often times reading it I would forget that Koly was no longer 13 (like she was at the beginning of the book), but 16, or 17, because her language was fairly simple and to the point. I would have like to known more of the details of Koly’s life. Other than that, I enjoyed reading this book. It is useful for teaching adolescents about a culture different than our own and showing them the ups and downs of this society. The story also ends on a hopeful note, leaving readers with the revelation that no life is beyond happiness.(less)

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Mar 18, 2012 Angela Todd rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: literature-for-the-adolescent

This book was about discovery. Koly was trying to discover who she was without realizing what she was trying to do. Koly was given in marriage way too early to a boy who was way too young and sickly to even have a wife. His family knew what they were doing. Even though they just wanted the dowry money to get their son better, they knew that he would die and Koly would be a widow. In that culture, being a widow is dooming. Koly was never given the chance to discover herself and find anything she...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Ellen Kurtz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Gloria Whelan's "Homeless Bird" brilliantly incorporates both cultural and emotional aspects to make this book nearly impossible to put down.

Within cultural aspects, "Homeless Bird" is an interesting story of Indian culture and causes the reader to reflect on its differences from American culture. The story following Koly's arranged marriage and trials, though not necessarily reflective of an American situation, do reflect hardships that many American adolescents find themselves in. Though her...more

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Mar 16, 2012 Marissa Miller rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: literature-for-adolescents

Part of the appeal behind Gloria Whelan's novel Homeless Bird is its probing investigation of a culturally taboo topic: arranged child marriage. In Western society, child marriage is considered an injustice and many steps have been taken to remove this restriction and "death-sentence" of a child's life. However, child-marriage is not the only social investigation Whelan makes of rural and traditional Indian society. Vrindavan, the city of widows, expands the reader's view into a whole new cult...more Part of the appeal behind Gloria Whelan's novel Homeless Bird is its probing investigation of a culturally taboo topic: arranged child marriage. In Western society, child marriage is considered an injustice and many steps have been taken to remove this restriction and "death-sentence" of a child's life. However, child-marriage is not the only social investigation Whelan makes of rural and traditional Indian society. Vrindavan, the city of widows, expands the reader's view into a whole new cultural tradition, where widows are cast out of their homes by their closest relatives to fend for themselves.

Although these women are considered just another mouth to feed and house to their relatives, Whelan does an excellent job counteracting this negative perception with her protagonist and heroine, Koly. Koly is humble and practical, yet a dreamer. Her artwork reflects her early home life of simplicity, hard-work, and love. However, after moving into her husband's home, Koly's hope diminishes. She believes she is nothing and is considered "nothing" by her Sass, a spiteful woman who abandons Koly for her own convenience. Regardless of the injustices presented to Koly, she remains optimistic about one day escaping her Sass and returning to simplicity. Koly's perseverance translates into a theme of the novel, which suggests to adolescent readers that optimism in its purest form is hope.

While Whalen offers several commentaries on the tragedies behind Indian culture, she is by no means bashing on its culture. Beyond the destitution and poverty lies a rich culture that provides several positive glimpses into a culture beyond the negative stereotype. The emphasis on community is emphasized throughout the novel; Koly even develops close relationships with several female (and male) characters. The community and compassion that exists between the widows at Vrindavan also demonstrates the theme of perseverance and, ironically, the relationships the widows form with one another is stronger than the relationships in their actual family (or husband's home). Whalen generously references these relationships within her novel and it is through these relationships, beginning with Chandra, that provide Koly with enough strength to continue living under Sass.

Whalen's simplistic, yet raw language also appeals to readers. A small portion of the novel describes Koly's thirst for knowledge and her subsequent attempts at reading with her father-in-law. This reflects into Koly's style, a linear and concise narrative referencing the many hardships of her life. The novel's carefully crafted plot and resolution in compelling enough to pull in readers without being predictable. As a whole, this novel offers valuable insight into the norms and cruelties of another culture that, despite our efforts to deny it, resurface in our own culture or society.

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Mar 13, 2012 Amy Simonson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: literature-for-adolescents

Homeless Bird made me think. That's quite simple, but my first reaction to writing a review of Gloria Whelan's book. I ended up reading almost 90% of the book in one morning after deciding that these adolescent literature books need to be given attention and cranial power to digest. When I was done reading this book, I talked with my cousin Emily about her trip to India and her perspective on youth marriage. From what she said, and what I've heard of India from family friends, the stories seemed...more Homeless Bird made me think. That's quite simple, but my first reaction to writing a review of Gloria Whelan's book. I ended up reading almost 90% of the book in one morning after deciding that these adolescent literature books need to be given attention and cranial power to digest. When I was done reading this book, I talked with my cousin Emily about her trip to India and her perspective on youth marriage. From what she said, and what I've heard of India from family friends, the stories seemed pretty accurate, as sad as that seems when considering the little life that Hindi women lead.
Interestingly enough, my philosophy class had been discussing Hinduism the week before spring break, so I was able to appreciate Koly's plight a little more, imagining the devastation of her husband dying just days after their young marriage. I was frustrated by the bridegroom's family and their extortion of Koly, but their motivations were well mapped out.
Basically, I really appreciated the dynamic characters in this book and how Koly was able to move on to a better life after submitting herself to long hours of work, my appreciation for Whelan was increased. The characters were sympathetic, and yet realistic. The story draws the reader in without overdramatizing situations. There were no dramatic tears, thank goodness, to deter less emotional readers from relating to the characters.
As with every book we've read thus far, I've come to realize that adolescent fiction has few boundaries. The description of Koly's abuse by her mother-in-law was not idyllic at all. Further, it could be a weird appreciation, but I value how Whelan did not make Koly entirely logical and grown up. Her selfishness, though understandable, makes her more realistic and leaves her room to grow.
In regards to where I found God in this book, I found Him amidst pages of untruth. Krishna and other Hindi gods show the wickedness and such that God could display, though He doesn't. Women are so undervalued in Hindu culture, which just highlighted the love God has for all of His children in Christianity. Koly's story ended with hope, echoing how situations can change. It's a nice change, realistic because of the pain, but somehow believable because no matter how Koly may have reacted differently than we might think she should have, we still want her situation to improve which Wheland does excellently. (less)

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Mar 06, 2012 Caitlyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: school

The book Homeless Bird, by Gloria Whelan was a fabulous historical fiction read about a girl named Koly who is forced into an arranged marriage at age thirteen, but when her husband dies within the first week of marriage she is forced to become a widow and live under the orders of her evil Sass. Through the years Koly finds ways to ignore the harsh comments from her Sass about how she is good for nothing, and a disgrace to her family, she always had had someone to talk about her problems to lik...more

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Dec 03, 2011 Hannahcs rated it 4 of 5 stars

Koly's family is very poor, and they don't have enough for everyone in their family to eat, so Koly's family find a husband for Koly. But the family to which has Koly's first husband, lied about how old he was, and he was actually really sick. They only marr the boy off because they need the money from the dowry so that they can go to Varanasi so that Hari can soak in the Ganges River. But Hari died at Varanasi. When they got back, Sass treated Koly badly. Even though Sassus was kind to her, and...more

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