Kashmira Sheth's Weblog

Keeping Corner Wins Another Award

On April 9th I traveled to Chicago to attend the Friends of American Writers Awards Luncheon.
The Friends of American Writers was established in 1922 in Chicago to focus on American Literature and to encourage high standards among new American Writers.  Since 1928, awards have been given annually for outstanding books by authors coming from Midwestern states, or books which have stories that take place in Midwestern settings. The Annual Juvenile Book Merit Awards began in 1960.
The Friends of American Writers gives four awards each year—two to adult books, one to a children’s picture book, and one to a children’s chapter book—and this year I received news that my book, Keeping Corner is the winner of the 2008 Friends of American Writers Award for Children’s Chapter Book.
It was a wonderful celebration and I enjoyed meeting the members of the club as well as other award winners.

The Reviews are in for Keeping Corner.....

2007 Parents' Choice Gold Winner

"This powerful and enchanting novel juxtaposes Leela's journey to self-determination with the parallel struggle of her family and community to follow Gandhi on the road to independence from British rule. Among the vivid and appealing characters is India itself."
Starred Review, Kirkus

"Sheth (Blue Jasmine, 2004) sets up a thrilling premise in which politics become achingly personal as Leela’s brave, tumultuous coming-of-age plays out in intimate detail against the backdrop of her nation’s independence. Idealistic teens will be caught up in the human-rights issues, and the vivid cultural specifics, memorable characters, and the bold adolescent’s challenge to tradition will attract a wide readership."
Starred Review, Booklist

"……absorbing, atmospheric novel…. Sheth expertly weaves rich descriptions into the day-to-day activities (“Ideas sank into my mind like monsoon rain into soil”)."
Starred Review, Publisher’s Weekly

 

As in Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet (Hyperion, 2006), Sheth provides a first-person narrative with a strong protagonist and rich sense of place, with the added bonus of an unusual historical perspective.

Starred review, School Library Journal

Keeping Corner - Kirkus Starred Review!

In Gujarat, India, during World War I, Mohandas Gandhi has opened an ashram attracting followers to his movement for Indian self-determination. In a nearby village, Leela, 12, married at age nine, looks forward to moving to her husband’s home. When he dies unexpectedly, Brahman custom requires her confinement at home for a year, “keeping corner.” Prohibited from ever remarrying, her head shaved and pretty saris put away, Leela faces a barren future. Her loving family is heartbroken, but only Leela’s brother has the courage to buck tradition, hiring a tutor to educate her. This powerful and enchanting novel juxtaposes Leela’s journey to self-determination with the parallel struggle of her family and community to follow Gandhi on the road to independence from British rule. Among the vivid and appealing characters is India itself. Natural and human cycles—dry and monsoon seasons, landscape and animals, customs religious and secular—are rendered with a rich sensual palate. We leave Leela and her country poised to cross the threshold of autonomy at that enchanting moment when anything seems possible. (Fiction. 12+)

- Kirkus (Starred review, 10/1/2007 issue)

Keeping Corner out in October

My next novel, Keeping Corner, is historical fiction for young adult based on my great aunt's life, and it is set in Gandhi-era India. It will be available in October.

From the publisher:

"Pretty as a peacock, twelve-year-old Leela has been spoiled all her life by everyone in her Gujarat village. She has never been interested in school and barely takes notice of the growing unrest between the British colonists and her own countrymen.  Why should she? Her future has been planned since her engagement at two and marriage at nine. And now, as the day she moves in with her husband's family draws near, she's too busy collecting bangles and ribbons to care about much else.

But when Leela's husband dies, her life changes forever.  Instead of being showered with  gifts and affection, she is is forced to shave her head and give away her beloved saris and bangles.  Leela is considered unlucky now, and will have to stay confined to her house for a year to keep corner in preparation for a life of mourning for a boy she barely knew.

When her schoolteacher hears of her fate, she offers to give Leela lessons at home. For the first time, despite her confinement, Leela begins to open her eyes to the changing world around her.  India is suffering from a severe drought, and farmers are unable to pay taxes to the British. She learns about a new leader of the people, a man named Gandhi, who starts a political movement and practices satyagraha, a non-violent protest against the colonists as well as the caste system.  The quiet strength of satyagraha may liberate her country. Could it be that she can use the same path to liberate herself?"