Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame -- Supriya Kelkar, Hardcover
Golden Kite Award, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education
Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor Book, American Library Association (ALA)
Junior Library Guild Selection, Junior Library Guild
In 1857 India, 13-year-old Meera escapes a life she has no say in--and certain death on her husband's funeral pyre--only to end up a servant to a British general in the East India Company. When a rebellion against British colonizers spreads, she must choose between relative safety in a British household or standing up for herself and her people.
India, 1857
Meera's future has been planned for her for as long as she can remember. As a child, her parents married her to a boy from a neighboring village whom she barely knows. Later, on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, she prepares to leave her family to live with her husband's--just as her strict religion dictates. But that night, Indian soldiers mutiny against their British commanders and destroy the British ammunition depot, burning down parts of Delhi. Riots follow, and Meera's husband is killed. Upon hearing the news, Meera's father insists that she follow the dictates of their fringe religious sect: She must end her life by throwing herself on her husband's funeral pyre.
Risking everything, Meera runs away, escaping into the chaos of the rebellion. But her newfound freedom is short-lived, as she is forced to become a servant in the house of a high-ranking British East India Company captain. Slowly through her work, she gains confidence, new friends, new skills--and sometimes her life even feels peaceful. But one day, Meera stumbles upon the captain's secret stock of ammunition, destined to be used by the British to continue colonizing India and control its citizens.
Will Meera do her part to take down the British colonists and alert the rebellion of the stockpile? Or will she stay safe and let others make decisions for her? It really comes down to this: how much fire must a girl face to finally write her own destiny?
Author: Supriya Kelkar
Publisher: Tu Books
Published: 02/23/2021
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 7.10h x 5.10w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9781643790404
Age Range: 10-13
Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.6
Point Value: 8
Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus
Quiz #/Name: 511926 / Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame
Review Citation(s):
Booklist 01/01/2021 pg. 76
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001
About the Author
Supriya Kelkar grew up in the Midwest, where she learned Hindi as a child by watching three Hindi movies a week. Winner of the New Visions Award for Ahimsa, Supriya is a screenwriter who has worked on the writing teams for several Hindi films and one Hollywood feature. Supriya's books include Ahimsa; Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame; American as Paneer Pie; and That Thing About Bollywood, among others. Visit her online at www.supriyakelkar.com.