Venkatraman, Padma Climbing The Stairs, 247 pgs. G.P. Putnam’s Son (Penguin Young Readers Group)Language~G, Sexual Content~G; Violence~PG
MS, HS - ADVISABLE
Throughout world history, women have always struggled for a voice, a place in a society of men. In some small circles, in some families this wasn’t the case. However, independent and strong women were looked upon as unfit to be in society. Fifteen-year-old Vidya lives in British-occupied India. She dreams of going to college and doing more than marrying and having children. Her immediate family encourages her in this dream, especially her father. Vidya’s life is turned upside down when her father is injured and their family is forced to move in with her uncle’s family. Vidya’s uncle is very orthodox in his beliefs. At her uncle’s home women are seen as second class. The women and men live on different floors of the house, they do not eat together, and a woman’s opinion is of no worth. Vidya does find an ally but one decision threatens to tear her already fragile family apart.
Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment