Small+Acts+of+Amazing+Courage

Rosalind is a British girl that has lived in India for her entire life. Her father is an important military leader. During the time, India was ruled by Great Britain. There is a small British community in India so the British people living in India can come as close to their normal and proper lives as possible. Rosalind loves the Indian culture though, her best friend is Indian. Rosy' s father doesn't want her to associate herself with the Indian culture. He is worried about her not being a proper British girl and sends her to England to live with her two aunts and get an education there. When she meets her aunts, she almost immediately discovers their personalities. Aunt Ethyl is very stubborn, strict, and uptight where Aunt Louise is very kind, colorful, and fun. Aunt Ethyl controls Aunt Louise's every move, decision, and purchase. Rosalind loves Louise and wants to help her gain control over her life. Rosy misses India too, and when her father changes his mind and asks her to come home, Rosy isn't sure what to do because Louise will be under Ethyl's control as soon as she leaves. Rosy is caught in between the two things she loves most. In the end her Aunt Louise came back with Rosy to India.

This book taught me a lot about India and the fascinating holidays, foods, and beliefs that the Indian culture holds. I also learned that India has a caste order. There are different levels of caste, the lowest being the outcastes who everyone avoids as much as possible so as not to be shamed; the highest level of caste is the religious leaders. There are a lot of suffering people due to their caste status. There are children who are sold and then purposefully crippled just so when they beg people will feel more sorry for them. Just because of a lower caste, other people refuse to help the suffering people. India is beautiful, but cruel too. ~Anika

I loved this book. I liked reading books about the Indian culture already, but because the story is told from a girl living in, yet not being involved in the culture is interesting. She has a viewpoint that is way different from the other Indian books I've read. I suggest this book to anyone who enjoys the Indian culture. It is very short and not confusing. ~Anika