Homeless Bird: A National Book Award Winner

Quiet little story without a lot of drama, but filled with hope during the down times. I only wish it would have ended with her marriage and being in her new home.

Got this one for my 11 year old. It is important for children to be aware of different cultures and situations that children around their age face in different parts of the world. My daughter felt engaged and wanted to find out what happens to Koly. She couldn't believe that at 13 kids can have an arranged marriage. She loved it. You don't have to be liberal or progressive to be grateful that in our culture children still get to be children and make their own decisions when it comes to love and marriage. She got to reflect on the value women have and that's worth every penny I paid for the book.

Koly’s story is a pretty sad one as she’s barely a teenager, her parents arrange her to be married to a young man she barely knows instead of letting her go to school and learn how to read. Now married and living with her in-laws, she will learn a shocking truth about why she was to become a bride while dealing with her mother-in-law treating her like she’s nothing. Bittersweet throughout, it felt like a sad Cinderella story where she wanted freedom, not a prince. The last few chapters do bring a new sign of hope and happiness for Koly. Honestly harsh yet still touching. <b>A- (91%/Excellent)</b>

A ten der book of a girl child trying to make through only to have hardships.. there is always hope in life

Wonderful and poignant story with detailed stitched together in colour. Excellent read for any age and intriguing insight to culture and customs.

I buy this book over & over to help naive American kids understand how some people in other places or Social Strata live. I taught this book to 6th & 7th Graders for years & it was always a big hit.

I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but this time I did. I thought that this book would not be that great. In fact I thought it would be the normal clichéd stupid female-plagued romance book that you can find in the corner of any dollar store. I WAS WRONG!!! This book was not even remotely close to that. I had to read this for a college class that I am in and it was worth it. I am thinking about buying myself another 3 copies so I can give them out as gifts. This book is a look into the culture of India and the plight faced by young brides and widows. The way it is written you will believe that this book could have been at any given time in India, but the more you read on the more you come to realize that this book is a lot more recent then you would want to believe. An excellent must read for any age group....well maybe not for kids, but that would be because they would not understand a lot of the content or its significance....so if you are 16 and older go for it! Have fun.

I love this book

Livre accessible à lire en anglais quand on n'est pas anglophone. Une langue imagée, un récit où se mêlent une réalité de l' Inde et la fiction.

Brings me joy, but it also brings me sadness.It makes no realize that I'm very lucky because sometimes other people ask lucky.This book is a very, very special book.It's a book I would recommend to somebody who's looking for more emotions than one

As a teen in India, 'Homeless Bird' was not a reading priority for me as I thought it was basically another book making a big deal of issues.(I've read too many of that kind) However, it turned out to be about facing the situation head-on and dealing with each problem on its merits. Unlike so many other novels I've read, the protagonist doesn't ponder pathetically sad thoughts about her life and situation; she acts on the problem. In spite of being in truly difficult situations were having negative thoughts would be natural, she accepts her situation and acts on it, which I think is very important.So, I'd recommend this book for anyone who wants a realistic touch and insight into the lives of people facing various social issues.

This was a wonderful book. It takes you on journey. I cried and laughed but mostly this has opened my eyes and heart to the life of Koly. It is great for any age.

Nice story ....quite interesting