Gandhi: Young Nation Builder

by Kathleen V. Kudlinski

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416912835
• ISBN13: 9781416912835
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Not just his childhood--learn about all his life's work

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.