I Am Gandhi: Ordinary People Change the World
By Mary Eisenhart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Engaging picture bio of Indian hero, nonviolence pioneer.
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What's the Story?
In I AM GANDHI, the title character takes readers from his boyhood in India, where he first started to notice people treating one another unkindly and unjustly, to England, where his career as a lawyer flops after he faints in court, and to South Africa, where he rallies his fellow Indians to fight the discrimination they face -- without violence. When he returns to India, he faces even bigger challenges, as the country's British rulers treat the locals terribly (and the locals aren't always that nice to one another, either).
Is It Any Good?
Indian civil rights leader and nonviolence pioneer Mohandas Gandhi comes to life in this cartoon history bio of a man whose life and example still inspire people and influence events worldwide. Young readers and listeners may find some historic events very alien to their own experience, such as India's historic discrimination against "untouchables" and the British oppressing Indians by forcing them to buy salt from their overlords. But the larger issues of helping others, transforming yourself, and never resorting to violence shine through. Stealing the show is the cartoon kid who keeps cheerleading about "Truth Force!" and its superpowers. While much of I Am Gandhi will go over the heads of the pre-reading audience, it's a good introduction to an important historical figure, and it rewards repeat visits over time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of nonviolence as a way to resolve problems as shown in I Am Gandhi. Do you think it's better to treat people the same way they treat you, or to behave kindly in hopes of showing them a better way to act?
Can you think of an example in your own life where someone was in trouble and others tried to help and make things right? What happened?
Have you read other books in the Ordinary People Change the World series? Do you have any favorites? How does I Am Gandhi compare?
Book Details
- Author: Brad Meltzer
- Illustrator: Chris Eliopoulos
- Genre: Biography
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Dial Books
- Publication date: October 3, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 5 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 7, 2020
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