Climbing the Stairs, by Padma Venkatraman

Climbing the Stairs
by Padma Venkatraman

In British-ruled India, Vidya and her family experience the violent effects of World War II and Ghandhiji's non-violence revolution. While she is forced to live in a very traditional Indian home, her family and her ideas change as she grows.
An excellent story about learning to think for yourself, loving those around you unconditionally, and the on-going struggle of violent versus non-violent war. Very similar to Gloria Whelan's style, this book is excellently done. My only request was for recipes of the traditional Indian food Vidya ate throughout the book, as well as a glossary of sorts explaining all of the feasts and celebrations.
Graded an A-.