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Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame

Book Resume

for Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame by Supriya Kelkar

Professional book information and credentials for Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame.

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  • Booklist:
  • Grades 5 - 8
  • Kirkus:
  • Ages 10 - 14
  • TeachingBooks:*
  • Grades 5-8
  • Word Count:
  • 53,082
  • Lexile Level:
  • 850L
  • ATOS Reading Level:
  • 5.6
  • Cultural Experience:
  • South Asian
  • Women / Girls
  • Genre:
  • Historical Fiction
  • Year Published:
  • 2021

The following 3 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame).

The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.

Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).

From Booklist

January 1, 2021
Grades 5-8 On the eve of Meera's thirteenth birthday, when she is to move into the home of her husband's family, frustrated sepoys mutiny against their British commanders, and in the subsequent rioting, Meera's husband is killed. It's 1857 India, and her father is trying to force Meera to commit sati--to willingly throw herself on her husband's funeral pyre. Instead, Meera flees and meets another fiery girl and follows her, only to be subjected to serving a captain of the British East India Company. When Meera chances upon stockpiled ammunition symbolizing prolonged British rule, she must decide if she will protect her country or have her fate continue to be decided for her. Child marriages, sexist ideologies, and the terrors of colonialism are just a handful of subjects Kelkar (American As Paneer Pie, 2020), scrutinizes through the lens of a teenager in the thick of it. Meera's transformation from a complacent girl to embracing her spirited convictions is nothing short of inspiring. Back matter, including an author's note, historical note, time line, and glossary are an integral enrichment to this novel.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Kirkus

The year is 1857, Indians are rising up against the colonial British East India Company, and Meera is about to leave her childhood home. As per tradition, Meera and Krishna were married when she was just 4. When she turns 13 in a few days, Meera will be considered ready to be a wife. But on the day she's supposed to move in with her husband's family, disaster strikes: Krishna is killed. According to their families' customs, Meera must commit sati, burning herself to death on Krishna's funeral pyre. Luckily, her aunt helps her escape, and Meera flees to the city of Indranagar, where she ends up working in the kitchen of a high-ranking British family. Meera's plan is to keep her head down and save enough to make a fresh start, but things change when her new friend Bhavani invites her to join a group of underground revolutionaries working toward India's freedom. Meera must decide whether to fight for her country, her future, or both. The final third of this historical novel is laced with twists, turns, and reveals that are both surprising and riveting. Meera's transformation from scared child to bold revolutionary is especially gratifying. Informed readers may notice clues to some characters' castes, but the subject of caste is not directly addressed even though the British at this time were using the caste system to turn Indians against each other. An absorbing story about a strong girl living during tumultuous times. (map, author's note, historical note, timeline, glossary) (Historical fiction. 10-14)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Online Review)

Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.

United States Lists (3)

Indiana

Maine

  • Maine Student Book Award, 2022-20223

Michigan

  • MISelf in Books, 2021, Middle School

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This Book Resume for Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.

*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.

Retrieved from TeachingBooks on January 19, 2025. © 2001-2025 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.