Daksha the Medicine Girl

by Gita V. Reddy

Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00IGQHRAQ.

Daksha is a young girl living in a hamlet in the Himalayas. She has lost her family in a landslide and flash floods. But the people in the hamlet look out for one another and she is not alone. She starts helping the vaidya (the doctor practicing native medicine) and learns the uses of medicinal herbs and roots.
During the harsh winters, many residents leave the hamlet for the plains.
Daksha stays back and her skills are put to use in the most unexpected way. This brings about a change in Daksha's life. Daksha is sent to school in a town far away from her home.
Good, kind people are prepared to help her and change her life for the better. The problem is Daksha does not want her life to change. She wants to live among the mountains, close to the deodar trees, gathering and distilling herbs.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2014

About the author

Gita V. Reddy writes fiction for both adults and children. Her books for children are written when she takes a break from writing for adults, and vice versa.

She enjoys thinking up tales of different genres and has written historical fiction, women's fiction, and recently has made a foray into regency romance.

For a genre-wise list of her works, please go to https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

For children, Gita V. Reddy has written mysteries, adventure tales, fantasy, science fiction, and also a fable. Her published works include novels, short chapter books, short stories, and picture books for different age groups. Two of her short chapter books, Daksha the Medicine Girl and The Missing Girl are used as supplementary readers in some schools in India. Several of her short stories have been published in Children’s World, India.

In addition to writing, she is interested in art and has illustrated three picture books.

Gita Reddy also writes under the pen names of Heera Datta and Jessica Spencer (for regency romance.)

Ms Reddy is a post graduate in Mathematics. In an earlier life that she voluntarily quit in 2011, she was senior manager in a bank. She lives in Hyderabad, India, with her husband and son.

To know more about her and her writing journey, please visit her website, https://www.gitavreddy.com.

Reviews

[Maria Stoica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little story filled with the Himalayan way of life and medicinal plants. Daksha is a shy girl who has a strange passion for a hamlet dweller - she loves to see how the bones of the animals she cared for worked. She has also been helping the village doctor, gathering medicinal herbs for him, grinding, boiling and preparing ointments. One harsh winter, the village doctor left the hamlet to live with his relatives in friendlier weather and Daksha remained in the village. Two injured soldiers stumble upon their hamlet one night and Daksha's medical skills were put to the test.

The writing is smooth and clear, offering a window into this isolated world up in the mountains.

[Julie Barrett]

Daksha the Medicine Girl
Story is about a girl who is an orphan and she is able to spend the winter in the Himalaya Mountains where she helps a doctor with medicines all winter long and watches what he does to help others.
The next winter she stays and the old man goes to live with others closer to town. There are a handful of others there and they all huddle together in the houses to keep warm and prepare meals. A military group were thrown out of their jeep and she is the one that can help repair the injured man.
Love how she watches anther animal to see the movements of the arm and how it should move. After the winter thaws they leave and go to the military town. She receives a note about visiting because they want her to go to school to learn how to be a doctor and they will pay for everything.
Love the opportunity that is offered to her. Really enjoyed this story as I had just read a very long book about the area but they were missionaries who taught women in the tribes about health and taking care of their children.
Especially loved hearing of what she used in the wilds that helped others with ailments.
Received this review copy from the author via Goodreads and this is my honest opinion.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

Sorry it took so long for me to write this review. See my review for Soul Slam to find out why (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).

I read this book in one evening quite a while ago. I remember enjoying it a lot. I loved learning about the main character, Daksha and her life. When you live in a society that is busy with it's own goals of education and modern medicine, it is easy to forget that others have been living with herbal medicines and more holistic ways of living than we are used to. And they have survived centuries like that. So when we read about a young girl who apprentices for the local medicine man and finds this is her passion of life, it may seem a bit off. But we grow to love and understand her and her way of life.

The part I didn't like was how the story was over before it had a chance to follow her next steps. I wanted to know more about her learning to read and getting that kind of education and how she might have taught others how to integrate her type of medicine with others we might have grown up with. Just a thought. I almost think this could be a series. I loved that it was centered around a girl. I just want more.

[Chris Meads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daksha is a young girl that lives in the Himalaya Mountains. She lost her family in a flood and has been living with the Medicine Man there. She learned a lot from him in the way of healing and in the herbal plants used for medical purposes. During one winter, he left to go down to the plains and left Daksha at his house to take care of things while he was gone.

After one snow storm, two army men got lost and ended up in the village, and one had a broken arm. Daksha helped both. Word spread and she was brought to a town to be given an education. Daksha wanted to return home until she saw what was going on at the hospital.

This was an interesting quick read for young people, especially those that might want to go into the medical field or feel that they are up against the odds of doing something they like.

[Angela Lambkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet and tremendous story of Daksha! So, therefore I would like to recommend this for five stars and especially for kids 8-12+! I received this ebook for free and in return, here is my honest review. Super job Gita! By Angela

[Nailah Dennies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I t h a de gjiydddh jiio. J j j ini k k m. Nnnnn. Hh j h n k

[Mary Ritter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for struggling readers. I did not know that was the target audience until I began reading it. Oh well, it will be a good choice for my students.

[Amber’s Book Nook · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t really like this book I still read the whole thing now I read it on Apple books and there is a page that was completely blank so I don’t know if I missed a part

[Colleen Horner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mid

It did not show personal insight unto what the characters felt, nor did it use a lot of descriptive detail.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daksha, the Medicine Girl is a most unusual book. I have found that in reading books written by this author that she includes a message with every story. This message is quite obvious and one that I would hope that all children would receive with joy. Schooling no matter what grade is important and it was with happiness that I read how Daksha learned to adjust to a new community and life going to school. This was an excellent read and one that I hope will be of help to many young minds.

What did I like? The resourcefulness of the doctor in showing Daksha what she would be able to do if she just put her mind to it. It was wonderful the way that the doctor showed her without pressuring what it would be like to learn the mysteries that ran through her mind. To go on and be successful is the goal of every teacher and student.

What did I dislike? Nothing, this was written so that child and adult could enjoy.

What will you like? Everything, a very well written and developed story line with vivid descriptions. Being so short, I felt that the author did a marvelous job in drawing the reader into the storyline. The message was there if the reader takes the time to absorb which I'm sure all will. It was fun without being frivolous and yet quite serious. I definitely recommend this for any parent or teacher but also for anyone of any age will enjoy it. Review of a free book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very exciting story Daksha was brave and strong

Because this story inspired me is was a great book and I want others' to read it and enjoy it!
M girl

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable if a little short story. I would have loved to learn more about Daksha and how she is, seen a little growth in her character. I understand it is for children but it very on the surface. An interesting story all the same.

[Kentius Agard · Rating 5 out of 5]

..

Excellent Book .. ..... ... I Love This Book To The Max .. It Is Amazing .. Beautiful & Wonderful

[Purvi Petal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 * precisely, for all its cuteness and simplicity. One of the books kids should read, jus because this is so innocently good for the childhood.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

Short sweet story about an orphan and how she becomes a famous doctor. Good for children to start learning to read.