Neela: Victory Song

Neela a 12 year old country girl from India about 1939, realizes that there is an ongoing war beginning between the Eastern Indians and their rulers the British. The sides are not cut and dry. Neela leaves the country to search for her father in Calcutta whom went to a freedom march and never returned.Through a freedom fighter friend Samir, she is led to his cousin Bimala in Calcutta who is the daughter of a very rich East Indian judge who of course is pro-British. Bimala uses contacts to find Neela's father. Samir and his freedom fighter boss rescue Neela's dad off a convoy meant to take him out of the country. Samir and Neela take her badly, injured dad back to the country where no one will bother him and have many adventures evading the police. Remember the police are East Indians who are pro-British.This book was so interesting that I read it twice.

This book is excellent! Neela, who is adventurous and brave (something very important in a good heroine), takes a dangerous trip to try to save her father with the aid of an intriguing freedom fighter during the era of protest over British rule. Every girl I have recommended this title to loved it, and I can't see why anyone would think this book is just "about a girl who doesn't want to get married" (like my fellow reviewer). I recommend it without reserve. It is an exciting story, that will interest the reader in Indian culture.

Neela is a twelve-year-old girl, she is brave, smart and intelligent. She lives in India with her mother, father, and her sister who is getting married. Neela is worried about India's freedom. Her father left to go fight for Mother India's freedom. Now Neela is stuck with her mother who is trying to find a husband for her, but Neela has other things on her mind than marriage. Three weeks go by, and now Neela is very worried about her father, who was supposed to come back two weeks ago. Is her father still alive? Will he come back soon? Find out! *Lali*

Neela is truly an inspiration to me in this book. I loved how she went to extreme lengths to rescue her father. I am also indian and feel for my parents the way she did for hers. I learned about one of the most important times in India's history in this book and it made me realize how lucky I am to live in America where there is freedom. I am also thankful to be a girl in this day and age where girls can do anything they please. I really felt bad for Neela's lack of opportunities but despite that she still got through all her obstacles. This is truly a great book!!!!!

Neela Victory Song Pleasant Company, ©2002,pp.193,$7.95Chitra Banerjee Divaongkaruni 1-58485-521-5 This book is about a girl that hears about India's fight for freedom and how the girl deals with almost losing her father because he wanted to help India fight for freedom. The girl runs away from home so she can try to help her father. This is a historical fiction. I liked this book because it has you in suspense the entire time. I could not put the book down it was so good. On a scale from one to ten I would give this book a ten because it is exciting and fun. With every turn of the page I got more excited. This book is full of action. I would say if you like action and suspense this is the book for you!Brittany L, Grade 6Bales Intermediate, Friendswood, Texas

Neela is a young ,12 year old girl who lives in India.While her older sister is getting married,the struggle for India's independence from England rages all around her world.When a band of men who support the revolution barge into the wedding asking for support,money,and food,Neela and her father are inspirered.But when her father gets captured at a peace rally,it's up to Neela to rescue him.This a great book about a brave young girl,the love she shows for her father,and India in the year of 1939. I truly recommend this book and all the other books in the Girls Of Many Lands series