Gandhi: Young Nation Builder (Childhood of World Figures) [Paperback]

Kathleen Kudlinski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2006 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Childhood of World Figures

The man we remember simply as Gandhi was born Mohandas Gandhi in India in 1869. From an early age he was made keenly aware of the rigid Hindu caste system of his country, and was heavily influenced by his mother's ability to fast as a way to control her urges. Mohandas was married at the age of thirteen and continued his education, though he struggled as a student. He also struggled to find himself and to keep his moral center intact. At college in London, and then later at work in South Africa and India, Gandhi was appalled at the abject poverty he discovered and by the widespread denial of civil liberties and political rights he encountered. He ultimately dedicated his life to the struggle for fundamental human rights for all Indians.

Read all about the fascinating early years and eventual accomplishments of this inspiring leader.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416912835
• ISBN-13: 978-1416912835
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Explore the World > Asia

More About the Author

I never wanted to be a writer as a child in Pennsylvania. Instead, studied art and Biology at the University of Maine. I became a science teacher, sharing my love of science with kids in classrooms. When I stopped teaching, I needed a new way to communicate so I tried writing. It felt just right to me from that very first book.
Now I write by a window overlooking a pond at the home in Guilford, Connecticut that I share with my husband, Hank. (You can find his name in the dedication of several books.) Sometimes I write in the log cabin we built together in Weathersfield, Vermont. In either place, nature is all around.
Every week I write and illustrate a nature column in the New Haven Register about some strange animal or plant I have just seen (look for those at www.ctcentral.com)
My grown son is a sculptor and my daughter is a photographer. We all use art to share our knowledge and feelings. That is what art is for. (To learn my kid's names, check my dedication pages)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just his childhood--learn about all his life's work, March 24, 2008

By 

Amy (Alexandria, Vatican City State (Holy See)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gandhi: Young Nation Builder (Childhood of World Figures) (Paperback)

The title and the series of this book is somewhat misleading: this is a throrough look at all of Mahatma Gandhi's life, beginning with an account of his childhood including his marriage at a very young age, but continuing through all the major milestones of his life as a leader in uniting India for self-rule up through his death at age 78. It is a very good introduction to the life and work of this important world figure for upper elementary school readers.

The book describes the events of Gandhi's life as a story, and because the dialog surrounding every day of his life was not recorded the account must be called fictionalized, but the details and dialog are based on documented events, not fanciful "what if" scenarios. Kudlinksi describes Gandhi's childhood as a backdrop for the changes he seeks in his later years and contrasts the way he grew up with the life he led as an adult. Kudlinski presents the facts of Gandhi's life in a very readable and memorable format, so a young reader understands how such events as Gandhi's journeys in South Africa and the Salt March played a part in his contribution to Indian politics. The reader will understand how Gandhi wove together non-violence and independence as he worked for Indian self rule, but will also learn about times when violence related to independence occurred.

This chapter book is written at about the sixth grade level and includes a glossary, timeline of Gandhi's life, list of some quotes from Gandhi's writing, and suggestions for further reading.

This is the kind of book that brings history to life for young people.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Serious inaccuracies present, May 24, 2011

By 

A. Marino - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gandhi: Young Nation Builder (Childhood of World Figures) (Paperback)

While I agree with some of the evaluations of the previous reviewer Amy (that it does tell the story of Gandhi's life in a way that can engage 6th graders, that highlights some of the milestones of his life and career well) I found a serious inaccuracy in this book. It states that the assassin of Gandhi was a Muslim, when rather the assassin was Nathuram Godse, an extremist militant Hindu who was against Gandhi precisely for his concessionary and warm outlook towards Muslims. This is a glaring error that I do not know how the author and publisher did not catch. It also puts educators at the risk of perpetuating false history which could in turn perpetuate dangerous prejudices. If you use this book, make sure to account for this inaccuracy.

I also was not overly pleased with the proportion of the book given to Gandhi's young/personal life. While it is interesting, it may have been better to write about his life's work in a way that engages kids than to write about Gandhi AS a kid.