Gandhi: Young Nation Builder

by Kathleen V. Kudlinski

The man we remember simply as Gandhi was born Mohandas Gandhi in India in 1869. From an early age he was made keenly aware of the rigid Hindu caste system of his country, and was heavily influenced by his mother's ability to fast as a way to control her urges. Mohandas was married at the age of thirteen and continued his education, though he struggled as a student. He also struggled to find himself and to keep his moral center intact. At college in London, and then later at work in South Africa and India, Gandhi was appalled at the abject poverty he discovered and by the widespread denial of civil liberties and political rights he encountered. He ultimately dedicated his life to the struggle for fundamental human rights for all Indians.

Read all about the fascinating early years and eventual accomplishments of this inspiring leader.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Kathleen Kudlinski is the author of 40 children’s books. Her works range from picture books to the YA level and include natural history, biographies and historical novels.
When not writing, she is a popular speaker and writing instructor. Building on a BS in Biology and six years of classroom teaching experience, Kathleen later trained as a “Master Teaching Artist” with the Connecticut Commission on the Arts as well as presenting at regional and national conferences. Now she eagerly Skypes with classroom, book-, and home-school groups, world-wide.

In her spare time, she paints and leads several SCBWI (Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators) critique groups, and teaches writing for children.

She writes at home beside a deep, wild lake in Guilford CT or at her woodland cabin in Weathersfield, VT with a a rescue macaw clinging to her shoulder and a pitbull warming her feet.

Reviews

[Astronaut Monkey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Historically inaccurate.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative read of Gandhi’s youth, education, and what led him to fight for fundamental human rights for all Indians. Middle grade/ JBio
🇮🇳☮️❤️

His most famous quotes:

Be the change you want to see in the world.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

Happiness is when what you think, what you
say, and what you do are in harmony.

Freedom is not worth having if it does not
include the freedom to make mistakes.

I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill.

Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable will.

There is more to life than simply increasing is speed.

They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.

You must not lose your faith in humanity.
Humanity is an ocean. If a few drops of the ocean
are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

If we wish to create a lasting peace, we must begin with the children.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my 9 and 11 year olds, and I'm just so delighted with how much they loved it. I love the "childhood" series, but this one was especially engaging. I learned a lot that I didn't personally know about Gandhi, and my 11 year old read the whole book twice in only 5 days because he enjoyed it so much. It's a great balance of novel-style narrative and solid historical information. Also good explanations of various geo-political realities and religious beliefs. I would definitely reread this. And my kids are walking around quoting Gandhi and thinking deeply about his teachings also! I really love the various works of Kudlinski!

[Ashley Coberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and full of good info on Gandhi, I specially that of his childhood. I think my kids could have done without all his suggestions of sex with his bride... they married at 13.

[Kirsten Horning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good overview of Gandhi's life. My kids could really relate to it partially because it spent a lot more time on his childhood than other books I have read. We read this in conjunction with A Moment Comes by Jennifer Bradbury and they helped us understand that time period in India so much better.

[Shannon]

Pretty good intro for kids. The beginning hits his religious practices hard and seems strange but it makes more sense later in the book. Found much to discuss with my Kids Leadership book club on this one. I supplemented with extra quotes, data on his wife and a few stories form his auto biography which is too intense for kids. Also my boys 12 - 15 viewed the Ben Kingsley movie too and this was a great addition.