Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Trublu93

At the tender age of thirteen, Koly is forced into an un-forgetful marriage. Her husband, Hari, is weak and sickly and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mehta, are ungrateful and wicked. Koly doesnt know how she will survive. After just a few days into the wedding, Hari dies. What is Koly to do? She cant run back home, that would show disgrace and dishonor upon her family, but she doesnt know if she can live another day in that wretched house.

When Haris sister, Chandra moves out on her wedding day, Koly is even more depressed. Now she has no one in the Mehta house. Soon enough, Mr. Mehta passes away and Koly is stuck with Mrs. Mehta, by herself. One day, Mrs. Mehta comes home with good news. Her brother in another city has decided to take her in, but she doesnt tell Koly that she wasnt invited, giving Koly false hope.

When they reach Vrindavan, a holy city, they take a break for some fresh air. There, Mrs. Mehta ditches Koly, and once again, Koly finds herself to be a lone in the world. How will she ever rise again? With the help of a city boy, in no time, Koly is back up on her feet again. Shes happy with her new life and wouldnt like it any other way, but then, she gets purposed to.

Koly goes through a lot of ups and downs. It seems like right after she recovers from something major; another change is taken in her life. Will she ever be able to live a constant life again?

Homeless bird is a well written book and I liked how Gloria Whelam includes lot of the Indian culture in it. It gives the book more meaning and understanding. I learned a lot from it. I would recommend it to girls of Kolys age, 13. Sometimes we dont realize or really appreciate what we have. After reading Kolys story, hopefully a lot of us will change out minds, I know it had an effect on me.