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Small Acts of Amazing Courage Audiobook
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(3.04) - 387 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It is 1918, six months after the end of World War I, and Rosalind awaits the return of her father from the war. While it is common practice for British children in India to be packed off to boarding school at the age of 6, Rosalind is unusual because she lives and is schooled in India because her mother insists. The heart of this penetrating story is Rosalind's coming of age set against the hardship of life for the Indian people, Rosalind's daily life in India, the rise of Ghandi and Rosalind's coming to make her own decisions and become her own person.
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"This book is special as it treats a period of history (1919 during the British occupation of India) that is rarely found in children's novels. I loved the character of Rosalind, who is becoming an independent-minded young woman, much to her father's chagrin. She reaches beyond the accepted protocol of the families of British officers in India to discover what the lives of the Indians are like as she follows her friend, Isha, into the dangerous, forbidden Bazaar. She is pulled into the Indian uprising against the British when she becomes friends with Max Nelson, who is a follower of Ghandi. The reader comes away with a good overview of the conflicting attitudes of the Indians and the British as Rosy tries to understand both sides. Her trip to England to stay with her two very different aunts adds an interesting subplot and characters leading to her return to the India she loves and to her family. Indian terminology is translated in a glossary. This is a fascinating read."
— Becky (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Whelan’s insight into history and her characters’ minds make every moment of this saga believable. The open-ended finale will leave fans yearning for a second installment.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“A beautifully written, fascinating, and informative story.”
— School Library Journal -
“Whelan’s vivid, episodic story explores the tension between doing what’s right, rather than what’s expected, and the infinite complexities of colonialism.”
— Booklist -
“Will engage many young readers, particularly those with a penchant for historical fiction with a strong-willed female at its center.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books -
“It’s a gripping, funny, touching book, and Gloria Whelan is a storytelling genius.”
— Stephanie Spinner, author of Quiver
Small Acts of Amazing Courage Listener Reviews
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" This story lost a little steam in the middle but was still very good. "
— Beth/Sr., 1/23/2014 -
" Unique book. I feel like a reip to India. Odd in some places but does make you think! "
— Janet, 1/15/2014 -
" It is 1918 in India, and teenage Rosalind is more at home in the bazaars than at the British country club where her parents think she should spend her days. The novel chronicles her growing awareness of the harsh living conditions of most ordinary Indians and her growing sympathy for the nonviolent independence movement that Gandhi is beginning to organize. The themes are serious, but there is also humor and romance as Rosalind finds her own voice and her own independence. "
— Virginia, 1/8/2014 -
" A fifteen year-old British girl raised in India finds herself drawn to Ghandi's movement because she loves Indian culture but regrets the poverty and misfortune that surrounds her. She faces off against caste system, her parents, and a formidable aunt in a fight against oppression and for the right of everyone to live full happy lives. This book had a lot of promise that it didn't quite live up to. Plot action was very limited but character development, especially of the aunts was very strong. A very interesting concept that I wish had been expanded more. "
— Mariah, 12/25/2013 -
" A competent but unthrilling read: the only minor point of interest is the setting - post-WWI India. "
— Hayley, 12/23/2013 -
" I really liked this book. What was disappointing was the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying. "
— Anne, 12/2/2013 -
" Set in colonial India... don't know if the kids will appreciate all the small acts of courage that adults can identify in these characters... "
— Martha, 11/26/2013 -
" Really really loved this book. Great audio for a car trip. Perfect narrator for this story. "
— Marci, 11/16/2013 -
" I think this book would be suitable for young teenagers, but I really enjoyed it, too. "
— Barbara, 10/30/2013 -
" I love Whelan's writing, but this story never came together for me. "
— Donalyn, 10/15/2013 -
" A totally contrived, feel-good, fictional history lesson about late British rule in India. No excitement, nothing that interesting happens the entire book. Only finished it because it was super short. Listened to the audio - the reader was good at least. "
— Kim, 7/13/2013 -
" Originally a middle grade to YA book. Easy to read, short novel for English learners teens and adults "
— Myos, 10/4/2012 -
" Had me from the opening line, "How can kindness get you into so much trouble?" "
— Tracy, 5/8/2012 -
" Another story from Gloria Whelan about a strong female character. This one taught me a lot about what it was like in India just after WWI, and included Gandhi as one of the "contributing actors". "
— Beth, 3/25/2012 -
" This quick read illuminates courage in many forms. A surprise was the lasting impact of Aunt Louise in my mind. May each of us find the courage to act authentically. "
— Jen, 3/12/2012 -
" historical fiction with a strong girl character "
— Gin, 1/24/2012 -
" Beautifully written, completely engaging, and absolutely delightful. "
— Ed, 4/26/2011 -
" Eye-opening novel of an English teenage girl, living in India in the post-World War I era. While Indians seek to follow the example of Gandhi, Rosalind uses her natural courage and sense of justice to help others. "
— Melissa, 4/26/2011 -
" Set in colonial India... don't know if the kids will appreciate all the small acts of courage that adults can identify in these characters... "
— Martha, 4/2/2011 -
" Gloria Whelan seems to have carved a niche in juvenile fiction with glimpses of lives in a different time in exotic places -- this one in India just after WWI. Beautifully written with characters that draw you in. "
— Jessie, 3/17/2011 -
" historical YA fiction, set in colonial India--fascinating characters, well written "
— Joann, 3/15/2011
About Gloria Whelan
Gloria Whelan won a National Book Award in 2000 for her novel Homeless Bird. She is the author of dozens of books for young readers, including Goodbye, Vietnam; Hannah; and Next Spring an Oriole.
About Mandy Williams
Mandy Williams is an audiobook narrator whose readings include Entwined by Heather Dixon, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, and Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan.