Homeless Bird
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
This is a moving story of a girl who suffers real injustice and does not become bitter. Koly forgives, works, learns to read, and teaches others. A widows' home and kind employers show charity at work, and her marriage to Raji is chaste and hopeful. The reservation: Hindu rites run through the whole story without comment, and Koly is drugged at a party she lied to attend.
For parents
Not a read-aloud for young children. Read it with a child from 12, or alone from 13; Plugged In says 14 and up. Ask why Koly could forgive Sass. Ask what the widows' home shows about care for the poor (James 1:27). Ask why lying to Maa Kamala put Koly in danger.