Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame

By Supriya Kelkar
Hardcover: $21.95

In 1857 India, 13-year-old Meera escapes a life she has no say in–and certain death on her husband’s funeral pyre–only to end up a servant to a British general in the East India Company. When a rebellion against British colonizers spreads, she must choose between relative safety in a British household or standing up for herself and her people.

Description

India, 1857

Meera’s future has been planned for her for as long as she can remember. As a child, her parents married her to a boy from a neighboring village whom she barely knows. Later, on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, she prepares to leave her family to live with her husband’s–just as her strict religion dictates. But that night, Indian soldiers mutiny against their British commanders and destroy the British ammunition depot, burning down parts of Delhi. Riots follow, and Meera’s husband is killed. Upon hearing the news, Meera’s father insists that she follow the dictates of their fringe religious sect: She must end her life by throwing herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.

Risking everything, Meera runs away, escaping into the chaos of the rebellion. But her newfound freedom is short-lived, as she is forced to become a servant in the house of a high-ranking British East India Company captain. Slowly through her work, she gains confidence, new friends, new skills–and sometimes her life even feels peaceful. But one day, Meera stumbles upon the captain’s secret stock of ammunition, destined to be used by the British to continue colonizing India and control its citizens.

Will Meera do her part to take down the British colonists and alert the rebellion of the stockpile? Or will she stay safe and let others make decisions for her? It really comes down to this: how much fire must a girl face to finally write her own destiny?

About the Creators

Supriya Kelkar

Supriya Kelkar grew up in the Midwest, where she learned Hindi as a child by watching three Hindi movies a week. Winner of the New Visions Award for Ahimsa, Supriya is a screenwriter who has worked on the writing teams for several Hindi films and one Hollywood feature. Supriya’s books include Ahimsa; Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame; American as Paneer Pie; and That Thing About Bollywood, among others. Visit her online at www.supriyakelkar.com.

Awards

  • Golden Kite Award Finalist 2022

    Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor

    Jane Addams Peace Association

  • Junior Library Guild Selection

    Junior Library Guild

  • Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2022-2023

    Maine Library Association

Reviews

  • "Meera's transformation from a complacent girl to embracing her spirited convictions is nothing short of inspiring."

    - Booklist
  • "Laced with twists, turns, and reveals that are both surprising and riveting. Meera's transformation from scared child to bold revolutionary is especially gratifying. . . An absorbing story about a strong girl living during tumultuous times."

    - Kirkus Reviews

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781643790404
  • Publication Date Feb 23, 2021
  • Trim Size 7.5 × 5 in
  • Weight 0.9375 lbs
  • Page Count 336
  • Word Count 52997
  • Interests

  • Audience Middle Grade
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Girls & Women
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Action & Adventure / General
  • Themes Animals, Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Breaking Gender Barriers, Courage, Discrimination, Families, Fiction, Friendship, History & Civics, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Religious Diversity, Social & Emotional Learning
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 4 - 8
  • Guided Reading Z
  • ATOS Book Level 5.6
  • DRA 80
  • Lexile Level 850
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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